The dog parents know that the cost of having a dog is high. What if there is a way to lower your dog’s budget without compromising their needs?

That can only happen if you switch from their regular professional grooming to house grooming.

Even if you can afford professional grooming, there might be some circumstances where you have to stay at home. Not so long ago, COVID-19 hit the whole world and restricted everyone to their houses.

Also, grooming your dog provides you with a chance to spend quality time with your champ and get to know more about it.

Well, you might be wondering why grooming a dog is so important. Here is why.

Grooming is Necessary

Just as humans take care of their cleanliness, dog grooming is important, too. First of all, it provides them comfort in their own fur. If their coat remains unattended and untidy, they will find difficulty in their activities.

Their fur must be trimmed and bathed regularly, so it doesn’t get matted. The tangled and dirty fur is the best hide-out place for parasites and other microbes.

The long nails made their physical activities uncomfortable. When they play outside, the soil gets stuck under their nails, possibly carrying some disease-causing agents. So, not only to maintain beauty, grooming is necessary to maintain their health, too.

Steps to Follow

Here is the step-by-step guide for beginners to groom their dog at home.

1.     Prepare Your Dog

As grooming your dog is new for you, it can be new to your little pup, as well. Or might be your big champ is not used to getting groomed by you. In either case, you must make up your dog’s mind and prepare it.

But how can you prepare your furry baby or big boy for it? Here are some ways that you can approach this.

2.     Teach Basic Commands

For a grooming session to be a friendly activity, you must train your dog to obey certain commands. If your dog is trained, half of your work is done already.

The commands like, “sit”, “stay” and “paw” can be useful throughout the process. It ensures that your dog understands the procedure and will not run away.

3.     Make a Routine

Being a dog parent, you have to adopt certain good habits and introduce them as part of your dog’s daily routine.

Whenever you and your champ come home from the walk, make a habit of checking their eyes, ears, and mouth. Cleaning their paws with dog wipes is recommended.

4.     Make Them Relax

When you decide on a day for grooming your dog, take him on a walk or play with him. These activities can help him relax before grooming.

5.     Maintain the Communication

During the whole grooming session, maintain a calming tone and only say praising words. Compliment them for behaving well, but avoid using harsh words when they are not complying with your orders.

Remember, the whole grooming session is meant to bring you close to your pet, not away. Talking can help when they feel stressed.

6.     Praise & Reward

When the session is over, give them their favorite treat for behaving well. The reward can be anything, such as their favorite food, activity, or some puzzle game.

By doing so, they will always be looking forward to the next session.

What Grooming Does Your Dog Need?

Every dog needs grooming, but how often do they need it? It depends on the breed and their lifestyle. For specificities, it would be best to consult your veterinarian.

However, the basic essentials of dog grooming are as follows.

Brushing & Combing

The first and foremost step is brushing or combing your dog’s fur. It helps to prevent the fur from getting matted or forming knots. It also makes bathing and trimming easier.

The frequency of brushing depends on the dog’s breed, but once a week is recommended. Some need regular combing in the fur-shedding season.

Bathing

Bathing is required before the trimming of the fur coat. It removes all the dirt and debris that might be sticking to your dog’s hair. The frequency of bathing depends on the dog’s breed and lifestyle.

However, breeds with smooth and light fur coats require bathing every four to six weeks, while others with heavy fur coats require washing every eight to ten weeks.

Remember to use recommended shampoo for your dog to avoid skin irritation or allergies.

Nail Clipping

The long nails are at risk of getting snagged while running, playing, or jumping. It can cause injury and pain. To avoid these mishaps, you must clip your dog’s nails whenever required. It is recommended to get it done every month.

If you are scared of clipping your dog’s nail on your own, reach out to professional groomers or your veterinarian.

Fur Trimming

Desensitize your clippers first. Then, begin clipping the long hair from the bottom of the neck, going down to the back, and moving all the way to the legs and paws.

Curve scissors can be helpful to trim sensitive areas. For wrinkled and folded skin, use your fingers to stretch the skin and trim. There is no length restriction. You can keep the length of fur you want, but make sure to keep it neat and straight.

The dog with short furs can get trimmed every two months, while the long-haired dogs require trimming every four to eight weeks, depending on the breed.

Conclusion

The grooming is necessary for your dog as it is for you. However, to turn this process into a calming and enjoyable activity, you should be able to make the environment comfortable and welcoming to your dog.

Positive reinforcement, like giving your dog vocal praise, patting its head, and giving it treats can help to make the session smooth. With patience and practice, your dog will eventually get used to it.

However, if you are not confident about grooming your champ at home, you can always opt for professional groomer services.