Making your pet Pretty ‘n’ healthy

By dnp-team On Jan 21, 2008

Groom your pooch, make him shine with health and beauty. Here are a few tips to make grooming sessions enjoyable for you both:

Establish and adhere to a regular schedule of grooming sessions.
Schedule these at a convenient time for both; a good time to do this is after the dog has been walked, while he is relieved and calm.
Select a time when you will not be interrupted and have ample time to do a proper grooming; longhaired dogs should be groomed daily, while shorthaired breeds may require grooming only twice a week.
For puppies, set a time when the puppy is less energetic and begin with short grooming sessions, say for five minutes.
Constantly talk to the puppy in a gentle, reassuring tone while grooming to make him feel comfortable.
Put the hair aside and examine the skin closely for signs of fleas, ticks or skin irritations.
Look for any unusual problems with his coat, viz matts, tangles, dandruff, etc.
Let the dog sniff the brush and comb before you begin grooming, and then talk to the pet in a reassuring tone while grooming; if the grooming procedure is made comfortable for the dog, he will begin to look forward to regular grooming sessions.
Do regular combing and brushing, which will keep his coat clean and healthy and stimulate skin.
Comb in the direction of hair growth, combing small sections at a time, until the coat is tangle free.
Use anti-tangle comb for troublesome knots and tangles; and if the coat has a particularly stubborn knot or tangle, trim it off with scissors.
Use a dematting comb, slicker or rake to remove matts.
Begin with the widely spaced teeth and follow with the finer teeth, using a combination comb.
Start brushing at the head, working towards the tail and down the legs.
Pay particular attention to the legs and flanks, and areas that easily matt.
Use a pin brush to fluff the coat.
Check areas for hair loss, inflammation, unusual tenderness or lumps under the skin; constant scratching in a particular area may also be an indication of a problem.
Consult your vet in case you find any unusual roblems.
Learn where the pet likes to be combed and brushed and where he doesn’t because all dogs have sensitive areas that need to be groomed a little more gently and carefully than others; by doing so, one will help the pet to make him more comfortable.
Be sure to check the puppy’s ears, paws, teeth, and underside during the grooming procedure for making him accustomed to being handled and examined.
Trim his nails regularly.
Never use ordinary scissors to trim the dog’s nails. Use trimmers that are specially designed for dogs.
During nail trimming, hold the dog’s paw firmly, and cut off the tip of the nail with a single stroke; also be very careful to stop short of the quick, the blood vessel inside the nail.
Use conditioned shampoo (properly balanced pH) specially made for dog’s bath.
After proper rinsing, ensure adequate drying of coat, especially for longhaired breeds, so that no excess moisture under hair coat is retained.
In case of ectoparasitic infestation, adhere strictly to the advice of vet, regarding dilution of drug, technique of application and follow up.
Be more careful about puppies; until and unless heavy dirt or any medical requirement, generally puppies are not given bath up to three months of age.