Puppy Grooming - Is It Time For a Bath?

Owning a puppy isn't all fun and games, although it is most of the time. Sometimes you have to be the adult and reign in your puppy for some puppy grooming time. This is true whether he spent the afternoon rolling in something smelly or if he spends most of his time indoors with you.

You definitely want to start your puppy off early with grooming so he becomes accustomed to your manhandlings. Here's a list of what's involved in keeping your puppy groomed:

Nail clipping.
Clip your puppy's nails on a regular basis. This is not something they like, so be sure to start it young so they can learn to tolerate it. As for yourself, learn how to properly cut the nails so you don't injure your puppy by cutting the quick. There are nail clipping tools on the market that safely take the guess work out of it.

Bathing.
A dirty, stinky dog is something only his owner can love. Do everyone else a favor and keep him clean by bathing him. Puppies aren't sure what to make of it at first, but can learn to look forward to the back scratching , hair drying, and bonding aspects of it. Be sure to use special dog soap/shampoo products, not people products. Dog soap is specially formulated for your dog's fur and skin.

Bathing also gives you the opportunity to check your puppy all over for any lumps, sores, or swollen areas. If you find anything unusual you can call your vet.

If you want to go the extra mile and pamper your puppy; specialty products are all around. You want styling mousse, blow dry cream, pixie dust, or volumizing cream? You can easily find any of these online.

Ear check.

Don't wait for your puppy's next vet appointment, check his ears now and then. Sometimes you'll spot drainage from an infection or something strange that has no business being there. If your dog's ears flap over, you might be surprised at what you find when you lift them up.

Brushing.

Brushing gets the oils flowing for a healthy coat. Brushing also heads off some of the shedding that some breeds are known for. Do yourself a favor and do the brushing outside.

Trimming.
Trimming isn't for the novice, but if you insist on doing it instead of using a trained professional, read some good books and/or watch some videos. Also, get a good quality trimmer and make sure the guard is securely fastened. It might help to have a picture handy of what you want your dog to look like and study it hard before you begin.

Final details.
Some dogs like the attention they receive when they're wearing a cute bow or dapper neckerchief. Don't forget to compliment them - they'll be waiting for it.

Proper grooming of your puppy is important for their health and is an excellent way to find any potential problems. Grooming also provides lots of opportunity to bond with your pet. Set up a routine day of pampering and your pup will learn to love it.