Dog grooming is a multi million dollar a year business in the United States. It is estimated that dog owners spend an average of $300.00 a year on grooming supplies as well as professional grooming services. Most of the simple tasks can be done at home but depending on the breed and temperament of the dog, you may have to have some things done by a professional groomer. If you know that your dog can be a little irksome about having its nails clipped or filed down, it might be best for you to invest in a pair of quality nail clippers. The cost is relatively low and after a few clipping they have paid for themselves in the cost that you would pay a dog groomer.
One of the most important parts of dog grooming is knowing the breed and what some of their most common problems are. Long hair dogs are prone to matting of the fur as well as clumping and knots when being washed. If these issues are not addressed before bathing the pet, the situation will be even worse when you try to brush them out and dry them. Using a wide tooth comb to start with will give you the chance to spot matted areas that could be hiding on their underbelly area. Once you have combed through the area successfully and cut away any hair clumps you can use a brush, wire or nylon, to check the lower lying areas of the fur. There are specific combs and brushes that you can purchase that will thin out the hair without having to use scissors or clippers. A deshedding brush or comb can make all the difference in dogs that have a lot of hair; they will be more comfortable and you will have less fur on your furniture, clothing and carpet.
Some dog owners prefer to have their pets shaved down at the beginning of summer so that they are cooler. Since dogs can not sweat, the more fur that is on them, the harder their body has to work to cool itself. Clippers for dogs are inexpensive and most dogs do not mind the noise once they are accustomed to it. Regardless of whether you use clippers or scissors, washing them afterwards is a necessity for several reasons. You want to make sure that all the loose fur is removed and you will want to check to make sure that there are no nicks or cuts from the grooming process.
The type of dog shampoo you use should depend on the breed, type of coat and if they have any medical conditions like dry skin, allergies or if they are infested with fleas. If you aren't sure which shampoo to use you can ask your veterinarian or local groomer if they have any suggestions. Your dog may not care for being shampooed so be sure to use a soothing tone if they start to squirm; yelling will only make things worse. Make sure you check the temperature of the water and that the area that you are bathing them in safe for both of you. Have everything that you might need within arms reach before you start so you won't have to stop and try to find something.
If you can start them off at a young age with regular grooming tasks like brushing, bathing and nail trimming they won't fight as much and the whole process will go much smoother. Home grooming can be a great way to save money but some dogs are too large or rambunctious for such tasks. Professional groomers have the tools and space to handle these types of dogs however you should disclose pertinent information to them about their temperament and if they have any sensitive areas before they accept the responsibility of grooming them.
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