You want to spare your dog from the stress and discomfort of going to a groomer, and it seems like an unnecessary expense when you can get the job done yourself. Here’s a list of 7 tips to help you go about grooming the dog the right way.

  1. Groom Regularly

Of the 7 tips for proper grooming for your dog, the most important may be to do it frequently. Sometimes owner will let months go by before grooming a long-haired breed, causing fur to become thickly matted and uncomfortable to brush. Other owners who bathe their dogs at home might simply procrastinate about taking on the task simply because their dogs object to bath time. Don’t wait until your dog is funky and gross to give him a bath. Stay ahead of the funk by sticking to a minimum grooming schedule. Of course, it may be necessary to have an unscheduled bath when your dog gets extra dirty on a rainy day or an adventurous outing.

dog grooming

  1. Check Out Your Dog’s Coat

Your dog’s coat reveals a lot about his overall health. When you’re grooming your dog, pay close attention to his coat’s texture and try to observe if anything looks different from how it normally does. If you notice that your dog’s coat is dull and dry or an unusual amount of dander has accumulated, your dog may have an underlying health problem or nutritional imbalance. Nutra thrive reviews from dog owners reported that adding a nutritional supplement can have a noticeable effect on dogs’ coats. Adding a nutritional supplement to your dog’s diet can make his coat seem thicker, shinier, and healthier.

  1. Take It Outside

Paradoxically, some dogs will vehemently protest getting wet in a tub but love to go outside and play with a hose. Moving your operation outside may make your dog more enthusiastic about getting groomed because it will seem more like a playtime activity.

  1. Use Treats to Make Your Dog More Agreeable to Grooming

Reward your dog for good behavior while being bathed or groomed When a dog knows a treat is coming his way, he’ll be a lot more agreeable to whatever you’re asking him to do. Treats make almost any type of activity a little bit easier. He’ll do his very vest to keep still and be good if he knows that there’s a possibility of getting treats for his efforts. Positive reinforcement will be far more effective than shouting or giving commands.

  1. Clean the Inside of Your Dog’s Ears

Some dogs’ ears are naturally clean while others tend to accumulate more wax. Long-eared breeds are more likely to need to have their ears cleaned. Using a solution specially formulated for dogs’ ears, put a couple drops inside your dog’s ear, hold it closed for about thirty seconds to one minute, and then rub the ear.

  1. Don’t Forget Teeth

Your dog’s teeth need to be cleaned regularly to prevent plaque build-up and tooth decay. Get your dog to open up by applying gentle pressure to the sides of his mouth while you speak to him a calming and reassuring voice. Flavored paste will make your dog a little more willing to open wide for a quick brush. If you notice severe plaque build-up or gum irritation, you should take your dog in to see your veterinarian to determine if a cleaning or dental work may be necessary.

  1. Trim Nails

Dogs’ nails will file naturally walking around outside on the sidewalk. Very active dogs may not need any filing. Usually, however, it will still be necessary to occasionally trim or file your dog’s nails. The inside of a dog’s nails is extremely sensitive, so you need to do this very carefully to avoid hurting or cutting your dog. Cut only the very ends of nails or consider using a rotating file. 

Grooming your dog doesn’t have to be stressful. Be patient and thorough while you try to make grooming fun for your dog.