9 Step Instructions for Dog Grooming

These instructions for dog grooming will do more than just make your pooch's coat look nice and shiny. It gives you the opportunity to spend quality time bonding with your canine friend. Regular grooming also controls shedding. Furthermore, grooming improves a dog's health by stimulating circulation and causing deep relaxation. This helps dogs cope better with emotional and physical stresses.

1. Brushing

Before bathing your dog, removing mats and tangles is essential. A mat that gets wet is nearly impossible to remove. Use a Dematting Comb for mats, a large Wire Pin Brush for the body, and a Slicker Brush for the feet, head, ears, and lower legs.

DeMatting Comb	Wire Pin Brush	Slicker Brush
Dematting Comb by MiracleCorp	MiracleCorp Brush with Wire Pins by Miracle Coat	Groomax Slicker Brushes with Natural Wood Handles

2. Cleaning the Ears

Ears should be kept free of wax and dirt. Brush the hair around the ears and expose the ear opening. Use a forceps to gently remove hair from the ear. Gently clean inside the flap with a small piece of moistened cotton. Use a fresh piece for each ear. Do not probe too deeply into the ear canal. Wipe around the outer ear.

3. Brushing Teeth

Teeth cleaning is vital to preventing future dental problems. Use a soft toothbrush and paste made specifically for dogs, like the Drs. Foster and Smith Dental Care Kit Dog Dental Care Kit. Do not use human toothpaste (especially with fluoride) -it can make him very sick. Make sure you brush near the gum line, where plaque tends to build up.

4. Bathing

Keep all bath supplies within reach. These should include your dog's brush, a small bucket, a hair trap for the drain, a rubber mat for the floor of the tub, a coat conditioner, a couple of towels, cotton balls, a gentle shampoo, a hair dryer, and a spray to help detangle your dog's coat. After the dog is shampooed and conditioned, rinse the residue out until the water runs clear. Then, towel dry his coat.

5. Blow-Dry Completely

If you don't blow dry every inch of the dog's skin and coat, inflammation may result. The damp place itches, the dog scratches, and the next thing you know, you have a nasty hot spot.

6. Pedicure

Nails soften after a dog is bathed and are easier to clip. Use trimmers specifically designed for dogs, like the Bamboo Care Nail Trimmer Medium/Large Dog Trimmer. Hold the paw firmly and cut off the tip of the nail with a single stroke. Be careful to stop short of the quick, the blood vessel inside the nail. Cutting the nails right after bathing will make the quick more visible. Follow up by filing your dog's nails smooth.

7. Head Trim

Trim the whiskers, the jawline, the underjaw, the back skull, and the ears.

8. Body Trim

When selecting blades for your trimmer, the higher the number means the closer the cut. If you see too much undercoat, use thinning shears and a Matbreaker because it will remove the undercoat without affecting the outer coat. Use scissors to clip away excess hair from the anal region, between the toes, and to thin the feathering on the legs and tail.

Clipper Kit	Thinning Shears	Mat Breaker	Scissors
Andis Deluxe Pivot-Motor Clipper Kit	6 1/2 in. Thinning Shears	Dematting Comb by MiracleCorp	Pet Hair Trimmer Pet Hair Trimmer (4" long)

9. Final Body Brush

Every hair on the body should be brushed. Again, use the pin brush on the body and the slicker brush on the legs, ears, head, and feet.

MiracleCorp Brush with Wire Pins by Miracle Coat	Groomax Slicker Brushes with Natural Wood Handles

Having the appropriate grooming equipment on hand will make these instructions for dog grooming that much faster and easier. So, stock up on supplies.

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