Grooming

     

Regular grooming sessions of five to 15 minutes do more than just keep your puppy clean and healthy. They also strengthen your bond with him and allow you to check his appearance to make sure he stays in peak condition and is healthy.

Grooming needs vary according to breed—but no matter what kind of puppy you have, you should regularly check the condition of his eyes, ears, teeth, skin, paws and nails. Do this gently, when the puppy is calm and quiet, perhaps right after a nap. Regular handling will teach your dog to allow handling so that if you ever need to medicate your pet it will be easier. Some breeds require professional grooming like Poodles and Bichons Frises.

Brushing and Combing
Most puppies love being brushed and combed, especially if you hold the skin tight with one hand and brush with the other, so it doesn’t pull.

Short-haired breeds should be brushed two or three times a week with a soft or medium bristle brush, rubber curry or grooming glove and a fine-tooth comb.

Puppies with medium length hair, woolly coats or curly hair should be groomed with a wire pin brush and a wide-tooth comb.

Long-haired breeds require daily grooming with a soft, natural bristle brush and a wide-tooth comb.

Matted, tangled hair may require special lubricants or mat combs. Groom your puppy several times per week to keep matted hair and tangles from developing. If the coat becomes too difficult for you to groom, you may want to take your puppy to a professional dog groomer.

Keep initial sessions short; use praise and food treats to help the puppy learn to associate good things with grooming. As the puppy learns to enjoy the sessions they can become longer.

Bathing
Give your puppy a bath only when he needs it. Frequent bathing can dry out the skin and haircoat. First, be sure to read the directions on any shampoo or bathing product to confirm it is recommended for puppies. After shampooing always rinse well, because soap can irritate your puppy’s delicate skin.

A dry bath, an alternative to regular bathing, works well in cold weather. Dry bath products, available in pet shops, are rubbed into the coat and brushed out. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Dental Care
It is important to care for your puppy’s teeth. Regular dental examinations are recommended for dogs of all ages. These can be done during your dog’s regular veterinary check-up. Between these visits, provide your puppy with a recommended dental chew product or toy that will act as a scraper and help prevent tartar buildup. Dry dog food and treats that exercise the teeth and gums can also help. Your veterinarian may also recommend a specially formulated dental food to help promote healthier teeth.

The most common dental problems dogs experience result from plaque and calculus buildup. Food residue, bacteria and saliva may accumulate and adhere to the tooth surface forming a soft plaque. If plaque buildup continues, solutions of minerals form a hardened dental calculus on the tooth surface. Common warning signs of dental problems in dogs include red, swollen or bleeding gums; excessive drooling, bad breath, loss of appetite; dark spots on molars and raised sores on the mouth.

Calculus is seen more frequently in older dogs fed larger quantities of soft foods. If left unchecked, this calculus may eventually cause inflammation of both gums (gingivitis) and the deep tissue surrounding the tooth socket (periodontitis).

It is important to get proper treatment so the teeth do not become infected. This resulting infection may spread to other parts of the body such as the kidneys or valves of the heart. So be sure to get regular dental examinations from your veterinarian.

Between professional cleanings, you should take on the responsibility of cleaning your puppy’s teeth. If you begin while he’s young, it will be easier to get him accustomed to the procedure. Experts suggest brushing a puppy’s teeth at least every other day.

For the first few sessions, try gently massaging your puppy’s teeth and gums with a fingertip until he is used to having you handle his mouth. Then begin swabbing the outer surface of the teeth with a square of gauze. Be aware that your puppy will begin to lose baby teeth from time to time.

After your puppy becomes accustomed to this routine, you may want to switch to a pet dental brush or a soft child-size toothbrush. There are special toothpastes and dental cleaning products which are pet-specific; ask your veterinarian or check at your local pet store.

Care of Eyes and Ears
During the grooming session, always check the condition of your puppy’s body, especially his eyes and ears. The eyes should be clear and bright and free of any red spots, heavy discharge or other abnormal conditions.

If your puppy is prone to a slight eye discharge (your veterinarian can tell you what to expect), wipe around the eyes daily with water-soaked cotton.

Examine the puppy’s ears at least once a month, or more frequently for long-haired puppies, since they are more prone to ear problems.

Carefully trim away any excess hair which might prevent air from getting into his ears. Check the ear canal. If it is sensitive to your touch; has a foul odor; or is red, inflamed and hot, see your veterinarian.

Your veterinarian can also tell you whether your puppy’s ears need regular cleaning with a special cleaning solution, which is usually applied once a week. This can be especially helpful with dogs who swim frequently.

Nail Care
Keeping your puppy’s nails clipped to the proper length is essential to his health and comfort. Get your puppy used to the feel of your hands on his paws by inspecting them when you groom him. In order to avoid the “quick” of the nails, have your veterinarian or groomer show you how to clip your puppy’s nails. Or have a professional groomer do it. You should check them at least every other week, so they don’t get too long. Keep nail trimming sessions short, perhaps doing only one or two feet, so that the session ends before the puppy becomes too agitated and tries to escape.