BASIC GROOMING

The foundation of good grooming is brushing and combing, which loosens and removes dirt, dead hair, and skin cells.  Brushing and combing also distributes the skin’s natural oils through the coat and prevents tangles.  Daily brushing during shedding season can help keep loose hair under control.  Be sure you brush down to the skin, not just over the surface of the coat.  Don’t skip the stomach area, even if your pup resists lying on his side or back.  This is a good time to use those basic training rules and good manners. Brushing several times a week keeps the average dog neat and clean, although daily attention is ideal. 

Nail trimming usually involves much protest by the dog, but with care and early training, the task can be accomplished without trauma.  A dog’s nails should be trimmed so that they clear the floor.  If you hear them clicking, they’re probably too long. 

Pick up one paw and firmly but gently place your thumb on the pad of the toe, and your forefinger on top of the toe on the skin above the nail.  Push your thumb slightly up and backward on the pad while pushing your forefinger forward.  This extends the nail.  (Don’t squeeze the paw!)  Using your other hand, clip the tip only, straight across.  Avoid clipping past the curve of the nail, or you risk hitting what is called the quick.  A nick there is painful and will cause bleeding.  It’s harder to see the quick on darker nails, so clip only the hook like part of the nail that turns down.  Examine the paw pads for foreign objects or injuries.  In the winter, clean your dog’s feet after he has gone outdoors; this removes de-icing chemicals, salt, snow, and ice, which can injure the feet or make your dog sick if he licks his pays.

Eyes should be cleaned when there is noticeable discharge or when the dog is being bathed.  Check for redness or other signs of irritation.  Healthy eyes are bright and clear, and the white of the eye is pure white.  You can help keep them that way by gently wiping away discharge in the corners with a cotton ball or soft washcloth moistened with warm water.  Avoid rubbing the cotton ball directly over the eye.

Ears should be cleaned at least once a month, more often if your dog is prone to ear problems.  Look inside to check for dirt, scratches, parasites, or discharge.  Then give them a good sniff! There shouldn’t be any unpleasant odor.  Moisten a cotton ball with alcohol and gently wipe out the ears.  Make an effort to keep ears dry and clean, or your dog may face recurrent ear infections that are difficult to treat.

Dental care is an aspect of grooming that many people ignore, but it can pay off in fresh breath and better health.  Food and saliva cause a buildup of soft plaque, which hardens into tartar.  The bacteria trapped in the plaque contribute to doggy breath and to the development of periodontal disease.  By brushing your pup’s teeth regularly, you can prevent or decrease the need for veterinary cleanings, which may require anesthetizing the dog.  Remember to leave your pups mouth alone when they are teething, this is a very painful process and we don’t want your pup to associate dental check up’s with pain.

Begin by gently scrubbing the teeth with a finger brush or gauze pad.  Later you can graduate to a toothbrush and toothpaste made especially for dogs.  Toothbrushes should be soft, and toothpaste must be formulated for a dog’s system.  Toothpaste made for people can cause an upset stomach if your pup swallows it.  Teeth can also be cleaned with a paste made of baking soda and water.

It was once believed that dogs should be bathed only when dirty, but that was back when shampoos for dogs were much harsher than they are today.  If a gentle shampoo is used, a dog can be bathed weekly without drying his coat.

Brush your dog thoroughly before bathing to remove dead hair and mats that will otherwise tangle and twist when wet.  Gather everything you need for the bath-shampoo, towels, and cotton balls to place in the ears so water won’t run into them-then get your pup.

Place the dog in the tub and wet him to the skin with warm water.  Lather with a gentle dog shampoo (never use shampoo made for people), then rinse thoroughly with warm water.  It’s very important to rinse out every bit of soap.  Squeeze as much water as you can out of the coat, then absorb more water with a towel.  Brush your pup dry and use a blower dryer made for dogs.  (Human dryers are to hot and may burn your pup)  Keep him in a warm place until he is completely dry.

Actual grooming Instruction: http://morningsagegoldens.freeservers.com/Grooming.html

With the right equipment and some patience, and by getting your pup use to the routine early on, proper and thorough grooming will have your canine pal looking like a Best in Show Winner!