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Brushing your dog regularly is one of the most important things you can do for your canine companion. Regular brushing pushes a dog’s natural oils through their coat, keeping it healthy and shiny, while also removing dirt and debris and working out any tangles. A good grooming routine is also a great way to bond with your pet.
Long-haired and short-haired dogs have different grooming requirements. Similarly, curly-haired dogs have different needs to double-coated dogs (like collies or golden retrievers) or short-haired breeds (like beagles).
For instance, a smooth-coated dog might just need a quick brush with a soft bristle brush, taking care around their belly or any other sensitive areas. Double-coated dogs, on the other hand, need a bit more maintenance. These dogs have a thick undercoat that is designed to keep them warm in winter and cool in summer, and they shed it every season. For these dogs, you might need more grooming tools: a rake or a comb to penetrate through the layers of hair and remove loose fur, plus a slicker brush, which has rows of thin wire pins to remove loose fur and brush out any tangles.
Tip: There’s a technique to using a slicker brush safely, which professional groomers call ‘pat and pull’. Section off the hair and touch the brush gently onto the skin, then pull the brush away at an angle, so as not to scrape the skin.
While grooming your dog, if you find a knot that doesn’t easily brush out, don’t tug at it as you don’t want to cause your pet any discomfort. Conditioning spray can help loosen the tangled hair. Spray some on and let it sit for a bit, then see if the brush will pull through the knot easily.
There is a difference between a knot that can be dealt with at home and a close mat that might need professional attention. Attempting to brush out significant mats can be very painful for your dog.
The best way to prevent this is to brush your dog’s coat regularly as part of a grooming routine (and more often in shedding season) using appropriate tools. However, if you find your dog has a matted coat or you are concerned in any way, seek assistance and advice from a specialist groomer.
Cleaning your dog’s ears regularly is a good habit to get into. It’s an opportunity to check for dirt, scratches or inflammation. It’s also a good way to get your dog used to being touched in that area, so – if they ever do get an ear infection – they’ll be calmer and more settled when you take them to the vet.
For some breeds, such as those with droopy ears who are more prone to infections, ear cleaning is an important part of their regular healthcare routine. However, you also don’t want to overdo it. Be gentle and stick to the outside of the ear (not the inside). If you’re not sure how to do it, or if you’re unsure how often your dog’s ears should be cleaned, ask your vet for advice.
The most important rule to remember? Whatever you put in one ear, don’t put in the other – you don’t want to transfer any particular bacteria between your dog’s ears. Gently hold the ear back and, using a fragrance-free wet wipe or cotton wool wetted with water, wipe the outside of the ear where there is often waxy debris.
Wiping your pup’s eyes is a similar process. Use a non-perfumed wet wipe or some cotton wool dipped in water to gently wipe any debris from the eye, wiping from the inner corner of the eye to the outer, and using a fresh wipe for each eye.
Check out our range of quality grooming equipment available online and in-store.
Photo Credit: Daniel Mahon
