All of us want our dogs to be happy, healthy, and clean. It’s not always possible to take your dog to the groomers to do common grooming tasks.
This guide will help you to do some DIY tasks with your dog. Some tasks are best left to professionals.
Brushing
When: Everyday (for long hairs); Weekly (for shorter hairs). DIY Level: BeginnerHow do:Long furs – we recommend using a rake or deshedding blade to manage and detangle them. Short furs and dogs with dry skin can use a curry brush, which pulls out dead skin and loose fur and stimulates the creation of natural oils.
Bath
When: Every four weeksDIY Level Intermediate How to: Get them used to the bath. We know it is hard. Bring your dog to the bath without water. This will help create positive associations. Peanut butter can be spread on the bathtub walls, and dogs will love to lick it. This is a proven way to reduce stress and release endorphins. Once they are done, let them go! After they’re done, let them go! After they are wet, apply shampoo to their coat. Then scrub with your fingers and nail. You can gently and delicately wash their ears and face. You can rinse them by pouring warm water over them. Make sure to protect their eyes from shampoo. Rinse with conditioner. Regular brushing will reduce shedding. To control shedding, brush your dog right before they go to bath.
Brushing your teeth
Source: shutterstock DIY Level: IntermediateHow do I: Brush your dog’s teeth regularly? Try putting some peanut butter on the toothbrush or using pet-friendly toothpaste. Give your dog a chance to sniff the toothbrush and place it around their teeth and mouth. For the first few days, don’t brush. This is just to get them comfortable with the toothbrush. To keep your gums healthy and clean, make sure you clean the toothbrush between uses.
Nail trimming
When: Every 3-4 weeks. DIY Level: Intermediate. How to: We understand that trimming nails can be stressful for both you as well as your pet. Try to make them feel comfortable with the task by stroking their nails and showing them how to use it. Start slowly if they are nervous. Only clip one nail at a stretch. Give them praise and high-value treats. Pick up their paw and place your thumb between their toes. You will be able to see their nails better and extend their toes. You should only cut the portion of their nail that is hooked down. You should not trim too many nails at once as this can cause painful bleeding and make it difficult to cut their quick.
Fur trimming (if your dog has a long fur)
When: Every four to six weekDIY Level : ExpertHow to: We don’t recommend trimming the dog’s hair on your own, especially when you are trimming right next to his eyes. You should hire a professional to do this. Regular brushing and special cleaning wipes are the best ways to keep your dog looking great for longer periods of time.
Nal glands
When: Twice per year.DIY Level : ExpertGross level : 1,000,000,000 How to: Does your dog ever exude a strong fishy smell down there? It’s the anal glands. You can see that some dogs require their anal glands to be stimulated regularly while others don’t. However, money can buy you the satisfaction of not having to do this chore. This is not the best DIY guide for dog grooming. You should only have a vet or groomer do this procedure. It costs between $10 and $15, which is a reasonable price for not being able to spend as much time with your dog. Here’s how to do it yourself. Warning! It is quite graphic.
DIY Dog Grooming Guide The How-to’ Dog Blog