A great way of saving money but without sacrificing anything for your pet would come in the form of grooming at home. Although this might sound a little frightening at first, you would be amazed at the number of people who have made the decision to do their own grooming instead of hiring a professional.
Of course, the first thing you would need to do is determine if grooming your dog at home would be a more cost efficient solution by looking at your schedule versus the dedication of time.
Once you make the decision for change, the next step would be to learn the right and wrong way of grooming your beloved pet. This is where the dog grooming tips provided in this article would help in that they focus on doing the job at home in the best way possible.
You can always find additional dog grooming tips by researching the internet but the tips we provided would certainly be of great value. Rather than feel scared or overwhelmed, realize that millions of other people who had never groomed a dog before have made this change with great success.
Getting Started
The first of our helpful dog grooming tips for at home is to purchase the right equipment, tools, and supplies. This does not mean you need to go out and spend a fortune on top-of-the-line products but simply get the basic things needed to do an effective and safe job. The following are some examples of what you want to buy.
Clippers – There are many great brands for beginners but we recommend Oster Golden A-5. These clippers offer the power needed regardless of your pet’s coat and they run cool so you would never worry about burns. In addition, these clippers are extremely easy to use, quiet, compact, and they come with several blades to include the most versatile #10 blade.
Bath – You could certainly use a standard bathtub to bathe your dog but as another one of our dog grooming tips, we recommend you invest in a decent tub designed specifically for dogs. These bathtubs are made with a nonslip surface but also designed to sit up high to eliminate the need for bending and lifting. Obviously, this type of bath would be a back saver if you happen to have a larger breed dog.
Dryer – Again, you could use a standard blow dryer belonging to you but considering that dog dryers are now so affordable, this would actually be the better option. These dryers offer more temperature settings to avoid burning your dog’s sensitive skin while still getting the thickest hair completely dry.
Table – For this, you want to purchase a grooming table that has an adjustable height, one with a nonslip surface, overall good construction, and safety hook for attaching your dog’s leash. That way, your furry friend would controlled so accidental falls would be avoided.
Supplies – To get started, you would need a quality dog shampoo, conditioner, flea and tick product, brushes, to include a pin and slicker design, comb for tougher mats, detangling product, and so on. Although not mandatory, we do recommend purchasing organic or natural products when possible since they work great but are also easier on your pet’s hair and skin.
Grooming Like a Pro
The truth is that getting results that look like those produced by a professional comes with practice and time so initially, expect some mistakes. However, by following specific dog grooming tips, you would quickly catch on to ways of grooming your pet so the outcome looks great. Again, there are many different tips we could provide but the following are some that we feel would be most beneficial in getting you started.
Shaving versus Grooming – When grooming a dog, clippers are used to shorten the hair. Depending on the breed but also the look you want to achieve, grooming might involve a specific style. Although some people shave a dog’s coat, you want to be careful if going this route.
For one thing, you would need to use a closer blade, which would increase risk of clipper burn. Additionally, saving your dog’s coat down too far would actually expose the skin to heat and cold, specifically putting him at risk for sunburn.
Double Coated Breed – If your dog has a double coat, meaning he has a top coat that sheds during the summer and an undercoat that does not shed, this is one of the more helpful dog grooming tips. If you want your dog’s coat to grow back normally after being groomed, never cut past the undercoat. Instead, using the appropriate blade, you would remove only the top coat while not compromising the double coat.
Ear Care – In addition to clipping hair, dog grooming involves trimming nails, providing proper ear care, cleaning eyes, and in some breeds, emptying full anal glands. Unless the ears are properly cared for in most breeds, irritation and even infection could develop due to hair growing inside the ear.
Another of our dog grooming tips is to use a small amount of baby powder or a special ear product that would be sprinkled just barely inside the ear. After a few minutes, the extra hair would be pulled out. By using these products, the pulling process does not cause pain.
Brushing – While this might seem an obvious topic, the last of our dog grooming tips at home involves brushing the right way. The purpose of brushing a dog is not only to prevent tangles and mats but also to remove dead hair. Proper brushing actually stimulates both hair and skin for better health and a shinier coat.
If your dog has long hair, it would be helpful to divide it into smaller sections, working with each instead of simply brushing the entire coat. You would also want to brush your dog by starting at the head and working your way down toward the tail. If the coat is extra thick or rough, you could purchase a special spray that would allow the brush to glide through the hair rather than pull.
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