4 Expert Dog Grooming Tips You Need to Start Following
Dog grooming is one of those tasks that many dog owners think they can get away with doing rarely, if at all. If that sounds like you, it’s time to get grooming. Contrary to what you and countless other dog owners think, dog grooming isn’t just for aesthetic purposes. It plays an important role in keeping your dog healthy. It also can help to detect any problems with your dog’s hair or skin early on (including nasty ticks!). If you don’t know how to start grooming your dog properly or just need a bit of a refresher, this is the guide for you. We’ve got 4 expert tips for grooming your dog like a professional.
1. Make Grooming a Regular Task
If you’ve been continually putting off your next grooming session, you’ll know that trying to find the time to do it is much more complex than the actual grooming process! In fact, as you’ll know from your own experiences grooming your dog, it really isn’t that hard to do! It’s most difficult if you’ve put it off for too long and you have to groom months and months of unruly hair or clip overly long nails.
As the saying goes, “a stitch in nine saves time,” and this is no more true than when it comes to grooming. So save yourself from unnecessary stress and trouble by scheduling regular grooming sessions. You may want to mark it in your calendar, or even set a reminder a couple of days before. One tip is to bundle it in with another regular task you do so on that on that day you know to do both tasks.
2. Use the right tools
If you want to groom your dog correctly, you’ll need the right tools. Without the right tools, you’ll have a lot of difficulties grooming your dog. What tools, then, do you need to expertly groom your dog? My Dog’s Name recommends ten grooming tools every dog owner needs. Some of the tools include a brush, nail clippers, high-quality shampoo, and a dog drying tool.
And don’t forget the cleanup process (as much as you wish you could!). You’ll want to use a vacuum cleaner designed for pet hair to get rid of all the hairs that not only fall everywhere during your grooming session, but also those that your dog sheds naturally. To make the cleaning session post grooming session extra easy, you may want to buy a grooming mat.
These mats help to catch almost everything that falls from your dog. They also provide a comfortable surface for your dog to rest as you groom away. While a grooming mat is not vital, many dog owners who are into DIY groom highly recommend using them for these reasons.
3. Learn Proper Grooming Techniques
Once you have the right tools, you’re going to have to learn the right techniques. If you’ve just been grooming your dog any old way it’s time to learn how to groom your dog like a pro. You’ll see that it’s quite straightforward once you study up on the subject.
So where do you even begin? You’ll be happy to hear that there’s a wealth of information online to help. In fact, there are so many resources available that you may have difficulty selecting them. We recommend Dogviously’s helpful grooming tips and Love of Grooming’s grooming videos. If you find any you recommend yourself, be sure to let us know in the comments below!
4. Go to a Professional
While DIY dog grooming has numerous benefits, from saving money to bonding with your dog, it’s a good idea to call on the help of a professional dog groomer every so often. The main reason you should book an appointment with a professional is because they know precisely how to groom your dog to perfection—they’re experts after all!
They’ll also be able to give you advice you can take home and apply in your own grooming sessions. Feel free to ask any questions and to pick their brains about the best way to manage any hairy problems you’re dealing with. If they are particularly helpful or do an exceptional job, think about treating them to something like a thank you basket. They’ll be so grateful for your thoughtfulness, and you’ll always have a resource to go to whenever you have any questions about your DIY grooming sessions!