subject: Yes, Your Dog Will Be Happier If You Use These Dog Grooming Tips [print this page] You will find that most dogs handle their own grooming needs. For complete grooming needs, you need to periodically offer a helping hand. Providing this assistance as many benefits to it. One very important benefit it adds to the bonding between you and your dog. From an important health benefit, you can help catch any disease or other health problems that can affect your pet.
Dogs use a number of methods to stay clean including licking, shaking and scratching. Routine brushing them can help the fur to stay clean and unmated. Some breeds have longer hair and require this attention daily. Breeds with shorter hair can be brushed more like once a week. Generally, dogs will enjoy the brushing and may even sit still while you are brushing. If your dog does not care for this treatment, use the brush in a short period of time while talking soothingly to him. Afterwards, give him a treat for being good. Add a little more time on the next brushing until they start to accept and even enjoy it.
Check for dark specs on the skin as these can be fleas. Run your hands down his coat as you brush him. The sight of black flecks, are flea dropping; you need to seek help for your animal right away. Also check for rice like debris near his tail or even in his feces. This is a sure sign that the dog has worms. Again, you need to take your pet to the vet in this case as they will need treatment.
Your pet needs his teeth brushed daily. Use a child sized toothbrush or just a finger toothbrush that is designed for your pet. You will need to use a paste designed for dogs only. Do not use your toothpaste as this can seriously make your dog ill. Give them rawhide chews to gnaw on as another aid to help keep dog's teeth in tip top shape. This helps keep teeth as well as gums healthy.
Other types of grooming are required as well, but not as frequently. Check ears and nails weekly or monthly. Check into your dog's ears. The sight of small, black/brown specks could be ear mites. Taking your dog on walks on sidewalks as well as in the driveway can help to wear nails down. It is important that the nails do not get too long. Again, check with your vet as to the proper way to trim them to help the dog to stay healthy and to walk correctly. It is definitely not a good idea to trim them without getting some training from your vet first.
