If you are used to taking your pet to the groomer every one or two months, it is likely that now in covid and isolation period it will be more difficult for you to take it regularly. Bad news is that this is also a bad time for dog groomers, good news is that we can help you tackle this task on your own at home – at least for now – with this tutorial for beginners on how to groom a dog at home.
Especially now that the days are getting longer and the temperatures are rising, your four-legged friend will want to spend more time in the garden or rub himself happily in the grass during walks.
A thorough grooming will allow it not only to look good, but also to improve its general physical well-being.
Let’s start at the beginning: the nails
One of the key steps to care of your dog at home is regular nail trimming. Even if neither of you likes it, it is a fundamental step to prevent paw problems and guarantee your dog’s well-being.
While some dogs’ nails wear down naturally when walking on hard surfaces like cement or sidewalks, other dogs’ nails don’t and require frequent trimming. The ideal would be to cut the nails every 4 or 6 weeks, especially to prevent the spur from becoming ingrown. To be able to cut the dog’s nails we have to use a specific nail clipper, which you will choose based on the size of your furry friend. You have to be careful not to cut too far past the nail, otherwise you could sever a blood vessel. In that case, use immediately haemostatic cotton to stop the bleeding and if you see that it does not improve, go immediately to your vet.
Clean your dog’s eyes
The best thing would be to get our dog used to cleaning its eyes as a puppy if possible, but the most important thing is that during all the time that we are cleaning its eyes, we call it by its name with sweetness and give it cuddles; Get close to its muzzle and praise it at the same time for how well it is behaving.
All this may seem useless to us but it is in fact a very important part; It serves to reinforce that bond of trust that already exists between the two of you.
The eye cleaning operation is quite simple, and if possible, it should be done every day. It is simply as removing the dirt that has accumulated from the tear fluids, using a heron (one for each eye!) and a specific lotion.
Be careful not to rub too hard! It is better to buffer or gently remove the rheum, always from the inside to the outside, to avoid putting germs in the eye.
Also remember to part the hair (if the dog has long hair) and not to put the eyelashes into the eye.
Clean its ears: it will be better and smell better
To clean your dog’s ears, first make sure the ears are healthy. If they are pinkish and there are no visible discharges, you can proceed. If instead there is an inflammation, you will realize when you touch it because you will see that the dog complains and gives off a bad smell.
Pick a time when the dog is relaxed: start with some cuddles and a light scratch on the ears, then gently grasp the pinna to open it up slightly and expose the inside.
With a sterile sponge soaked in specific cleansing lotion, clean the dirt and earwax present, taking care to do it slowly and not forgetting the folds of the skin, points where dirt is more easily deposited.
Don’t use cotton swabs: they’re just as dangerous for our eardrums as they are for theirs.
The cleaning of the ear canal is carried out with specific cleaners prescribed by the Veterinarian, who will have previously determined the presence of excess earwax that can be removed or dissolved. The removal of earwax performed by the doctor also helps to see the internal part better and verify the presence or absence of parasites.
Carefully brush the dog’s teeth
To brush your dog’s teeth, you will need two things: a toothbrush and toothpaste.
Yes, you heard right, your four-legged friend also brushes his teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste, both specifically for dogs.
The toothbrushes can resemble the classic ones with a handle or can be finger shaped, with soft bristles and suitable for the animal’s mouth. Naturally toothpastes do not have a glacial mint scent, but the scent will be appealing to your furry friend.
The ideal would be to get it used to the toothbrush as a puppy, if not you can start by spreading a little of the delicious toothpaste on your finger and massaging its gums. This way, it will associate cleanliness with something “finger lickin’ good.”
Little by little you can move on to brushing, first brushing the front teeth and then moving on to the back teeth.
If the dog is not used to it, never try to brush all the teeth at once because you risk not being able to repeat it again. It is better to go gradually and “by fair”. Remember to tell it how well it has behaved and give it a reward for the confidence it has shown.
Brush and detangle the coat
It does not matter what movement we make when brushing, the important thing is that with each pass of the brush or the carder the hair opens and we can see the skin.
Brushing has to be done from the roots to the ends, not brushing only the final part. Obviously this is essential in dogs that have an undercoat, but it also applies to breeds that do not, because the knots are formed on the roots.
If your dog’s coat has an undercoat, knots are created between the undercoat itself and the hair, forming a tangled ball of fur that is difficult to detangle.
Take special care in spring and autumn, these are the seasons in which it is most important to remove the undercoat.
The undercoat is not removed with the hands, it is removed with the carder making movements along the length of the hair (from the root to the ends) and not with circular movements. It is important to tighten the skin with one hand and brush with the other to avoid stressing the skin.
It is essential to brush all parts of the body, insisting on the areas where the dog produces more undercoat or where it gets more tangled (on the back, near the collars or harnesses, towards the end of the ears, back, etc.).
Wash your dog
After we have brushed the dog and we have lightened the coat to maintain the cut, it is time to give it a bath. Now that spring has arrived and the fields are full of parasites, we advise you, in addition to what your veterinarian normally recommends, to use a shampoo formulated specifically to act as an effective anti-parasite: specifically, we recommend our shampoo with tea tree oil and neem oil because in addition to deep cleaning, it refreshes the skin creating a natural barrier against insects and parasites.
Once we have washed it, dry your dog with a towel (or with a low temperature dryer) and then brush again when the coat is completely dry.
You might also be interested in how to wash the dog at home
Always keep an eye on the behaviour and conditions of your dog
Try to get your pet used to it before you start grooming. If it is hyperactive and you’re trying to shave it, it’s not going to like it very much. You could calm it down by going for a walk first or tire it out with a game. Obviously you do not have to forget to pamper and reward your dog while you take care of its hygiene and cleanliness.
Now that you know how to wash your dog at home, you are good at it and you manage to get in tune with your pet, this moment could become a pleasant ritual that will strengthen your bond.
