Grooming is one of the most essential aspects of caring for your dog, which can easily be done at home. Basic grooming as well as regular washes and – only for some dogs – a few shaves per year are just some of the ways to keep your dog feeling healthy, fresh and revitalised.
What does home grooming entail?
The benefits of brushing your dog
Brushing removes the majority of dirt particles out of your dog’s coat, leaving it looking slick and clean. Depending on the type of brush you use and its particular bristles, frequently running a few strokes through your dog’s coat will unmat it, detangle it and help stimulate the hair follicles to ensure stronger and healthier growth. The best equipment to use for this process includes scrubbing brushes for those extra clean washes, combs and brushes for frequent massages and detanglers and deshedding tools for stubborn, tangle-prone coats.
What is a good shampoo to use on your dog?
Grooming your pet is not complete without the right shampoo for your pup. It’s best not use to human (nor even baby) shampoo on your pet – but rather use a specially formulated pet shampoo. It is recommended that you start your young pup out on a mild sensitive shampoo like the Kyron Puppy Mild Gentle Shampoo for Dogs and Puppies, and gradually change him over to more specialised shampoos that are designed to get rid of ticks and fleas, like the Ultrum Plus Tick and Flea Shampoo for Dogs or those that maintain that pleasant after-wash smell for longer, like the TropiClean Papaya & Coconut Cleansing Shampoo and Conditioner for Cats and Dogs.
How to groom a dog step-by-step
1. Brush your dog’s coat
Using the Salon Grooming Double Sided Brush, gently brush your dog all over to untangle his coat and stimulate his hair follicles. For a more stubborn coat, use the Rosewood Salon Grooming Moulting Comb to ensure that your dog’s coat is completely untangled and ready for the next steps.
2. Trim his coat
Using hair clippers, trim your dog’s coat down to the desired level. Make sure that you do not trim your dog’s coat too low, as the summer sun can be too harsh on his skin. Brush and comb your dog’s coat consistently throughout the trimming process to ensure that the coat is trimmed down evenly.
IMPORTANT: Dogs with thick or double coats should NOT be shaved down in preparation for the summer months. Despite how hot you think thick or double-coated dogs get in summer, these coats help them regulate their body temperature. Double coats don’t grow back evenly, so even if you shave a double coat down once, it will disrupt your dog’s temperature regulation for the rest of his life.
3. Wash your dog’s coat
Gently use the appropriate shampoo and the Salon Grooming Rubber Brush to thoroughly scrub through your dog’s coat. The ambient temperature of the area in which you wash your dog should be comfortable (not too hot, not too cold) and the water should be lukewarm. Avoid getting water and shampoo in your dog’s eyes, nostrils and ears. When you are done, thoroughly rinse his coat, getting rid of excess shampoo.
4. Dry, style and trim the coat
Use a towel to rapidly dry your dog’s coat and calm his shivers. Place him on a platform or flat surface where you can dry him. Be very careful that the hairdryer you use to dry your dog’s hair is not set too hot – your risk giving your dog steam burns. When you are satisfied that your dog’s coat is fully dry, you can go in with a pair of grooming scissors, like the Rosewood Salon Grooming Scissors, to further style and refine your dog’s features.
5. Clip your dog’s nails
The last step in grooming is to clip your dog’s nails and use essential oils as an after-groom treatment. To avoid injury, ask your vet to show you how to trim your dog’s nails so you do not clip them too low. For black nails, clip until you see a spot that is darker than the nail; for light nails, clip until you see a pink spot. Avoid clipping these points.
After fully grooming your pooch, spritz light coat-defining and coat-protecting oils to complete the look.
Choosing to self-groom your dog is not only more affordable over the long run, but it’s also a great way to establish trust between you and your pooch, which can strengthen your bond.
Here at Pet Hero, you can shop salon-quality grooming products and pair them with other top-rated products to make the grooming process something you and your pet can both look forward to.
