The Basics of Dog Grooming: What to Do and How to Do It

Can you imagine going more than a few days without brushing your hair? What about a few weeks without a bath? Can you handle not washing for weeks on end? It would be uncomfortable and possibly painful at some point in time. Of course, different things go into grooming and bathing your pet dog, but the concept is similar. 

Dogs require a completely different hygiene and grooming routine from humans. Their size and breed will also play a factor in this. But at the end of the day, it’s one of their most basic needs. 

As a dog parent, you are responsible for keeping them clean and comfortable. Maintaining their looks and hygiene is more than just about their looks. It’s also about their comfort and happiness. 

So, to be the very best dog parent you can be, you have to know the basics of grooming. That includes the proper schedule and frequency you should maintain your dog. 

Here’s everything you need to know about the basics of dog grooming:

Brushing

It might be easier to understand and appreciate the value of proper dog grooming if you reminisce about your time as a child. One of the most comforting things in the world is having your hair softly brushed by someone who loves you. For dogs, the experience is very similar. Most dogs enjoy the occasional gentle brush. 

Depending on the type of hair they have, you might have to brush them more than a few times in a week, but indeed not every day. Don’t lose hope if it’s not something they are agreeable to right away. Like all things, it might take a little time and patience for dogs to get used to having their hair brushed.

Nail Trimming

When it comes to nail trims, just like how most kids didn’t particularly like it in their childhood, the same is true for dogs. It can be a scary experience for both the dogs and yourself. Their anxiety might cause them to wiggle and move around. If you’re trying to trim their nails, the task might prove to be impossible. 

If your dog is still a puppy, you have a chance of training them to get used to the feeling. If not, you could always file it down instead. Now take note, dogs are more averse to having their paws and nails handled more than their hair. You’ll have to be extra careful and patient to ensure no one gets hurt. 

Bathing

Is bathing fun for dogs? That depends. Some of them love it, others absolutely hate it, and they are the ones that are pretty neutral about it. No matter how big or small your dog is, you can expect this to be experienced to be similar to nail trimming but with less pain and more sulking.

The chances are high that your dog might just whine about taking a bath. Unless your dog has trauma with water, it should be fine. For the most part, you’ll only need to bathe your dog about once or twice a month. 

Ear Cleaning

Ear cleaning is essential for dogs. Some dogs have sensitive ears that are prone to disease and infection. Rest assured that there are plenty of treatments and cleaning methods available to help your dog. The most important thing to remember is to clean it after a bath. Check it from time to time, especially if you notice your dog itching more than usual.

Summary

A clean dog is a happy dog. When you think about the basics of grooming a dog, don’t stress too much about the frequency. With enough practice and the right amount of dedication, you can easily pick up the right skills to do the minimum maintenance necessary. Certain things will be easier when done by a professional. But don’t underestimate what you can do for your dog. 

EarthWise Pet Fremont is a dog grooming wellness spa in Washington.  You can count on us to take good care of them. Our goal is to keep them as comfortable as possible, so let us know if there’s anything extra we can do to help!