Regular grooming is an essential part of pet care that helps maintain your furry friend’s hygiene and good health.
Grooming can be a stressful activity for some dogs so if you are keen to ensure your furry friend has an anxiety-free and enjoyable grooming experience there are some things you can do at home to help your dog become more comfortable and relaxed during grooming.
Professional grooming services are designed to provide deep cleaning of your dogs’ coat and provide specialist services that may be too difficult or dangerous for you and your dog to try at home. However, light grooming at home in between professional grooming visits is an essential part of keeping your dog healthy and happy. Regular grooming can help prevent skin infections, matting, and other issues that can cause discomfort and pain.
Here are 5 things you can do to prepare your dog for professional grooming.
1. Create positive associations with touching and handling
One of the most important things you can do to prepare your dog for grooming is to get them used to being touched and handled. This goes beyond a general and regular pat. Your dog needs to feel comfortable with someone touching their ears and face and around areas of their torso, legs and tail that may need to be handled during grooming.
Start as early as possible during the puppy years as what they learn early on will carry them through their adult years. Regardless of when you start make sure you go slowly so as not to alarm your dog or ‘over handle’ as you do not want to undo any positive associations with a session where they feel overhandled and stressed. Use treats and positive reinforcement to create a positive association with touch. Start by touching your dog gently and rewarding them with a treat. Gradually increase the amount of time you spend touching them and the areas you touch, such as their paws, ears, and tail.
2. Brush your dog’s coat regularly
Regular brushing at home will keep your dog’s coat shiny and healthy and less prone to tangles, matting and shedding. We recommend daily brushing for long haired coats and every other day for shorter hair. Brushing your dog all over regularly will also help them become used to the type of handling they can expect during professional grooming. Use a Dog Grooming Brush designed for deshedding and dematting
3. Wash your dog regularly
Washing your dog is an essential part of dog care that can help keep your furry friend clean and healthy. Regular dog washes and baths can remove dirt and parasites from your dog’s coat, which can prevent skin infections and other health issues. It also helps to keep your dog smelling fresh and looking and feeling great.
Professional grooming services generally include a dog wash as part of the visit and getting your dog washed professionally means that you can be assured of a deep and thorough clean. Opting for a hydro bath rather than a standard wash if this is offered by your pet grooming specialist will mean your dog is getting the deepest, most thorough clean possible. This is worth spending some extra dollars on as it will make it easier for you to do lighter baths to freshen the coat in between visits.
When it comes to washing your dog, it’s important to choose the right shampoo. Look for shampoos that are specifically designed for dogs, as human shampoos can be too harsh for their skin. For dogs with healthy skin and coat, choose a mild and gentle hypoallergenic shampoo.
Dogs should only be washed when necessary; when a dog has an unpleasant odor, or they’ve accumulated dirt/mud on their coat. Bathing is generally required Like humans, washing a dog too frequently can dry out their hair and coat.
4. Trim your dog's coat
Professional coat management includes hair cutting, dematting and de shedding as required. As all dogs are different the degree of coat management required will vary from breed to breed and depending on the frequency of cuts. It’s a good idea to discuss your dogs breed and your personal preferences on the length of coat with your professional dog groomer. They will help you determine what is the best frequency for professional coat management visits and what you can do in between to maintain the coat in excellent condition.
Coat trims and shaves can become uncomfortable if the coat is left unmanaged and starts to become matted and balled. This can lead to skin infections, matting and other health issues and possibly leading to grooming becoming stressful for both dog and groomer. The simplest way to avoid this is the ensure you have regular and frequent professional grooms and that in between you
- Brush your dog’s coat out frequently to avoid and knots
- Trim or shave the coat if it is getting too long
If you want to trim the coat in between, the two most important items to have are a good dog shaver and dog trimmer. A good dog trimmer can help you keep your dog’s coat looking neat and tidy, while a shaver can help you remove excess hair and prevent matting. Look for trimmers and shavers that are easy to use and come with a variety of attachments to suit different coat types and are quiet to use so your dog is not alarmed by loud or agitating noise.
5. Brush your dog's teeth
We all know the off-putting smell of a dog’s bad breath. Unfortunately, they are oblivious to any offence their breath may cause. Dogs do not have an innate and natural way of moderating their breath or the cleanliness of their mouth. That’s why it’s crucial that as owners we become comfortable brushing their teeth and looking after their oral hygiene. Starting young is a must for this activity to be successful at home. Use only a vet approved dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste and start small by getting your dog used to the smell and taste of the toothpaste and the sensation of having their teeth brushed. Reward them with treats and gradually build up the time your dog will allow you to be handling their mouth and the areas of their mouth they will allow you to explore with the brush and paste.
Contact the team at Melbourne Pet Grooming for more information about preparing your dog to enjoy grooming to elevate their health and sense of well-being. We offer affordable specialist pet grooming and day care services and have an extensive Dog Grooming Menu. We love welcoming clients in Inner Bayside Melbourne including South Melbourne 3205, Albert Park 3206 and Middle Park 3206, Port Melbourne 3207, St Kilda / West St Kilda 3182, East St Kilda 3183, Elwood 3184, Melbourne City 3000, St Kilda Road 3004, Docklands 3008