Grooming your dog is a key part of responsible dog ownership. Whether you do it yourself or visit a professional groomer, it’s important to help keep their coat healthy and shiny.
Grooming your dog helps to prevent their coat from getting matted, as well s removing dead hair, dirt and dandruff. Brushing them also helps to stimulate natural oils in the skin and fur, which helps make a glossy and healthy coat.
When brushing your dog, this also gives you the perfect opportunity to check for any fleas or ticks, as well as checking for unusual lumps and bumps and giving them a general health check.
When to start grooming your dog
You should aim to get your dog groomed as early as possible to get them used to it, ideally you should start when they are a puppy. By getting into a regular grooming routine with your dog, it gets them used to being handled and makes the process as easy as possible. It’s important that your pooch is happy and comfortable during these grooming sessions and starting them early helps to build up a good routine.
How often will they need to be groomed?
How often you groom your dog will depend on their breed and coat length. Short-haired or smooth coated dogs should be groomed at least once a week. Whereas a long or rough-coated dog will need much more regular grooming and could even require clipping to keep their fur manageable. This can be done anything between four and twelve weeks, with maintenance brushing in between.
Poodle-crossbreads, such as Cockapoos or Labrdoodles may need more grooming than you might think. These crossbreeds do shed less, but their curled coat type makes them more prone to knotting and tangling, especially if they get wet. Brushing the a few times a week should keep on top of things and some owners may prefer having their coat clipped to a shorter more manageable length to remove some tight curls.
Terrier types and some other breeds may need ‘stripping’ rather than normal grooming to remove dead hairs in the coat as these dogs don’t shed hair as well as others.
Tips to help with grooming your dog
Do research – it’s important to know the grooming needs of your dog, depending on coat length and texture. If you are unsure, speak to your vet who is best placed to offer advice.
Get the right tools -all pets need brushes and combs that are suitable for the coat type, plus some pet nail clippers. Do not use human clippers.
Take it slow – your dog may not be used to being groomed, so it’s important to take it slow and stop if they show signs of stress. Make the grooming a positive experience, using treats and praise during and afterwards.
Check for parasites – ticks can be a common problem for dogs, so check regularly for them, especially after they have been outside. Fleas can be tricky to spot as they mostly live in your home.
Seasonal moulting – it’s important to remember that pets are likely to shed more in the spring and autumn as their coat changes in preparation for the different seasons, so they may need extra grooming around these times.
Look out for changes – a change in your dog’s skin and coat could be a sign of a problem so speak to your vet if you notice anything of concern.
Check their ears – remember to check your dog’s ears regularly to make sure they are clean and healthy. If they start to show a build-up of wax or hair, or start to get smelly or itchy, call your vet before trying to clean their ears.
Find a reputable groomer – look for a groomer that is a member of a trade body such as Pet Industry Foundation. That would be a strong indication of a well-qualified and reputable groomer.
