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[D540]Dog Grooming And Boarding

by Sandra Dinkins-wilson, San

Dog grooming can be a time of further bonding with your dog. This is some serious one on one time when he gets loads of your attention.

So what do you do and when do you start grooming your dog and puppy? As with most things with your puppy, you need to introduce him to dog grooming slowly and help him be comfortable with it. Start with short sessions of about five minutes and work up to the whole routine as he adjusts.

Begin with brushing and combing. There are several different grooming tools used for brushing and which you use depends upon the breed of your dog and the type of coat he has. Ask the breeder you got your puppy from for the proper techniques.

Brushing should be done before you bathe your dog or puppy. Bathing your puppy should begin when he is about 14 weeks old or sooner if he is a very dirty dog. Most dogs should need bathing only once a month unless he gets dirty. Wherever you decide to bathe your dog, bathtub, sink or some type of tub, place a rubber mat within to give him something secure to stand on so he won't slip around.

Soak down his body but not his face. Keep water out of his ears. You may wish to block his ear canals with cotton balls to prevent the water from getting into his ears. Lather up your wet dog with a dog shampoo. Rinse well. Any leftover shampoo in his coat is likely to cause dryness or skin irritation. Wipe his face off with a damp cloth. Squeeze off the excess water and then towel dry your dog. Complete the drying process with either a hair dryer set on warm, not hot, or by leaving him in a warm room until dry.

Be aware that a dog will shake just as soon as you release him. This is why some people want to run their dog outside quickly after a bath on a leash to prevent him from rolling and getting dirty again. If this is not an option, such as in winter, you may wish to consider a professional groomer.

A professional groomer may be a consideration for some of the more difficult haircuts and dog grooming considerations such as the stripping required by some wire-haired breeds. This depends upon your ability to do the required tasks and your desire to do them as well.

copyright 2005. Sandra Dinkins-Wilson

Who likes a stinky dog? Not many. And when your dog is less than spring fresh, your attitude towards him may change. Although this may be as little a thing as turning your face away when he jumps on you; however, your dog can read into this behavior and translate it into a sign of rejection. Like it or not, all dogs have to be groomed. And despite what you might think, even shorthaired dogs need a good brushing now and again.

But groomers can be quite expensive and may cause your dog undo stress. So you don your raincoat and lure your dog into the tub. Your next hurdle: what shampoo do you use? Some dog owners use people shampoo under the assumption that if it's fine for them, it will be o.k. for Spot. This is not the case. In fact, many commercial shampoos meant for dogs are actually too harsh for their skin and may cause irritation and/or dryness. Buying all natural shampoo may be the ticket but again, it is expensive. So what is one to do? Make your own and give your dog a salon grooming in the comfort of your own house at a fraction of the cost.

Herbal Shampoo
You can make an excellent doggie shampoo from things that you probably already have around the house. A mixture of Aloe Vera gel and water work well. It is very mild on dog's skin and leaves their coat quite shiny. Slightly dilute a handful of Aloe Vera gel with water and work the mixture into your dog's coat (it is best to apply this to a dry coat). Rinse with warm water. If you prefer to have a foaming shampoo, add a touch of baby shampoo to the mixture and use accordingly.

Cost: under $5

All-natural Rinse
If you use a store-bought shampoo, follow it with this all-natural rinse. It will restore the ph balance of your dog's skin and will help remove any excess shampoo. Mix one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with one pint of warm water and work into your dog's coat. Follow with warm water if desired.

Cost: under $5

Perfume
Let's face it; washing a dog does take time. If you don't have the time, the energy or any protective rain garments handy, you can always use a bit of scent in a pinch. A spray will rest on top of the dog's coat and will not harm the skin. This means that you can go to the local drugstore and pick up a moisturizing body spray that is to your liking and use it for your dog's toilette. Make sure you spray away from the dog's face and in a spot that she can't lick.

If you want to use an application that is sure not to irritate your pal's skin, go to the health food store and pick up one of the following essential oils: rose, lavender, geranium, sandalwood or sweet almond. A tiny bit rubbed into the skin along the spine will last longer than a body spray (it will become more fragrant with body heat, so make sure you like the scent!) and will not cause any irritation at all.

Cost: under $10

Article Source : Dog Grooming

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Both Sandra Dinkins-wilson & Russ Richer are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Sandra Dinkins-wilson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Business Cards, Dog Grooming and Puppies Dogs. Visit our website at for a f. Sandra Dinkins-wilson's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.

Russ Richer has sinced written about articles on various topics from Dog Grooming. Russ Richer is a Dog Lover who has done extensive research into Dog Care. Visit for free reports, articles, and newsletter. View his signature p. Russ Richer's top article generates over 880 views. to your Favourites.