When welcoming a new dog into the family, grooming needs often take a backseat to priorities like bonding and settling them in. But once your four-legged friend is at home, grooming quickly rises on the to-do list – managing shedding, tangles, hygiene, and keeping them looking and feeling great. Professional groomers are invaluable, but what can you do between visits to support your dog’s health, appearance and your budget?
Brushing your dog
Between grooms, brushing is key. Different breeds have different grooming needs, ranging from short coats that are lower maintenance, but still benefit from a nice wash or brush to remove dead hairs and distribute natural oils, to higher-maintenance coats that require a lot more brushing (we’re looking at you, long, thick coats and poodles/poo crosses!) preferably with a conditioning spray, and always after getting wet, to keep on top of tangles and prevent mats developing.
Set yourself and your dog up for success. Consider the time you will dedicate to grooming, as well as your dog’s coat, age, temperament and any health issues, when deciding a regime and a style for your pet, if their coat is one that requires styling. Take time to discuss this with your groomer, and ask them to recommend the best type of brush, mitt and/or comb for your dog’s coat; they can also show you how to use them correctly to ensure your time spent grooming is effective, not just affectionate.
Build Trust and Routine
Grooming isn’t a chore, it’s a bonding experience; enjoy it and make it part of your normal routine of spending time with your dog. Work gently with them to build trust and confidence, and get them used to being touched and handled all over. Grooming is also a great way to get to know every inch of your dog, their normal lumps, bumps and sensitive areas, which could help you to identify any changes, signs of soreness or potential problems. Feeling with your hands, looking through their coat and brushing them not only keeps their coat and skin healthy, it can also help you to spot any unwanted critters that may have hitched a ride home from the park.
Just as you train your dog on recall and other essential behaviours for their safety, it’s important to teach your dog how to behave when being groomed (have some high-value treats handy to reward positive behaviour and help things along). Little and often is preferable to infrequent marathon grooming efforts; try focusing on one area one day and move on to another a few days later, that way you can cover everything that needs to be brushed but keep sessions shorter, making the experience less stressful for you and your pet.
Certain parts of the body tend to be more mat prone in longer coats. Some are well known: ears, tails and friction points like harness and collar areas, others are often overlooked: feet, knees, elbows and muzzles. A comb can tell you how well you have brushed, but be gentle, because tugging on tangles hurts. You can try to tease out tangles and mats with some conditioning spray and a brush or comb, but sometimes they just won’t budge. Or they may be in sensitive areas. Do not pick up a pair of scissors, or razor sharp dematting tools, and try to cut them out – this can be extremely dangerous, leave those to the professional groomers rather than risk a visit to your emergency vet.
Short coats, faces and ears
Short coated dogs may not get matted, but some are very good at shedding and others have facial folds and other wrinkles that need to be cleaned and dried well to avoid skin irritations. Using the right brush or a mitt can help to keep coats and skin healthy, remove dead hair and make your dog feel properly pampered, when you find that just-right spot. These dogs only need a soft damp cloth to wipe their faces clean and a soft dry cloth to dry in between any folds. There are balms that can be applied to dry noses and paw pads to prevent cracking, especially as the weather turns wintery.
Which brings us to faces. Eyes should be cleared at least weekly, using tepid water to wet a cotton ball to soften any discharge that has collected, and gently remove it (a small flea comb is useful for this if your dog has hair in front of its eyes). Keeping eyes clean helps to prevent infection and irritation and can help to reduce tear stains. Provided you haven’t melted in those puppy dog eyes, cast your eyes further down that adorable face. Cute “teddy bears”, beautiful beards and flowing jawlines all need a good comb between grooms to keep them free of debris and knots. Just to reiterate, untrained scissors are also banned here.
Framing those faces are ears. As well as brushing and combing all around the outside and edges if needed, these can be cleaned gently inside with a cotton ball dampened with vet-recommended ear cleaner to remove dirt and wax that can otherwise contribute to all-too-common ear infections. Only clean where you can see, though – unless you are a qualified veterinarian – and never use cotton buds, as these can cause significant damage.
Collars, bottoms and paws!
Next up, collars and harnesses. Some collars and harnesses are worse than others for matting. The greater the ratio of fabric to fur, the more likely close-to-the-skin mats develop in these areas. Whether both are in fact needed will depend on your circumstance, but aim to remove all such accessories once your pet is secure at home and/or in their daily setting. It’s also a good idea to wash these when you wash your dog (like putting on clean clothes after a shower).
At the opposite end, but no less neglected, is your pet’s bottom. Ignore it at your peril. If you allow this end to become blocked, everything backs up, literally. Make sure your pet’s essential exit is not blocked, and other personal areas are not tied up in blood-flow-restricting, painful, pulling mats. Wash well in the bath using water to saturate and soften, and dog-specific shampoo with a shower scrubby to gently remove. Scissors are strictly forbidden in this area, even for the professionals.
Last up, the down low. Clean your pet’s paws after walks, to prevent debris and dirt building up in paw pads and between the toes, as both areas are prone to mats. Check that no grass seeds or other nasties have collected in the creases, and give plenty of praise while you hold your dog’s paws gently but firmly, at a comfortable angle, while combing them through and checking their nails. The calmer you are, the more relaxed they will be. It’s the start of a beautiful relationship, and it all comes down to grooming.
