Grooming your puppy
Grooming your puppy and bringing you closer
All puppies should be groomed daily, and not merely to
improve skin and coat condition. Grooming helps to teach your
puppy to accept being handled; it also enhances the bond
between the two of you. And regular handling will allow you to
get to know your puppy's body. This can be particularly useful
as it can help you to detect any
health problems in the early months of your puppy's
life.
Get going with grooming
Grooming your puppy should be carried out every day,
whatever the length of his coat. This will come as no hardship;
most dogs enjoy being groomed and stroked, especially if
started early.
With your puppy's own special brush, start grooming for
short sessions, just sufficient to touch him once over his
whole body. Gradually lengthen the sessions, and when he
accepts what you're doing and has stood still for a while, stop
and reward him. This could be a walk, a game or a meal; it'll
help to make your puppy realise that standing still brings
rewards, which makes grooming easier and more enjoyable for
both of you.
Tabletop grooming: If you occasionally groom you
puppy on a table, he'll get used to that position, which could
be useful when you visit the vet or a groomer.
Sensitive areas: Your puppy's head area is very
sensitive, so be extra gentle when you're brushing there. And
if you notice any discharge from ears or eyes, consult your
vet.
If your puppy starts to wriggle, hold him firmly with both
hands until he stops. Talk to him and praise him whenever he is
still.
Keeping your puppy trim
You might want to trim your puppy's coat now and again,
particularly the hair around his eyes, ears and feet. This is
something you could be perfectly capable of doing yourself, but
if your breed needs a special haircut or trim to keep him
looking his best, ask for advice from a professional dog
groomer.
Nails: Your puppy's nails need to be checked
regularly and kept properly trimmed, to prevent nasty snagging
and painful tearing accidents. Again, this is something you
might feel able to do, but if you're not quite confident
enough, your vet or a professional groomer will do it for
you.
If you do decide to cut your puppy's nails yourself, take
care not to cut them too short. The top of a dog's nail is
sensitive, and can bleed or become painful.
Your puppy's bath time
The bathing products available for dogs today are almost as
numerous as those for humans, and they're much better suited to
a dog's skin type than human shampoos. So choose a special dog
shampoo that's best suited to your puppy's hair type.
(Long-haired breeds are more likely to become matted and get
dirtier more quickly and more often, and will require frequent
bathing.) Take care not to get any soap in your puppy's eyes
while you wash him.
Safe bathing: If you buy a non-slip rubber mat and
place it on the bottom of the bath, your puppy is a lot less
likely to suffer slips and falls, and it will give him
confidence during bath time.
Should you consider a groomer?
Most of the time, with most dogs, you can carry out the
grooming yourself - it's an enjoyable experience that brings
you and your pet closer together and you'll be happy to make
time for it.
But if your puppy is going to grow into an adult with a long
coat, he's going to need more maintenance. Hair cuts and trims
might be best carried out by a professional groomer. Obviously,
you'll want a groomer who's going to make the grooming
enjoyable for your puppy. You'll also want to enquire about his
or her experience and training, and perhaps see other dogs that
have been groomed by them.
If you're interested in a professional groomer for your
puppy, your vet will be able to advise you and make some
recommendations.