Dog Nail Clipping Tips

Even though you have been taking care of your dog for years, you may not know that your dog is not comfortable whenever you trim her nails. The common problem with grooming dogs is that they fuss every time they’re being handled, but if you take time to train them, you’ll never run out of options.

Some dogs allow their owners to clip nails one paw at a time in between rest or other activities, while others allow their owners to trim nails at once. However, regardless of how your dog wants to get his nails trimmed, it is important that you cut their nails before they become overgrown. Here are some things you should know before you clip your dog’s nails:

1) If you’re a first-time dog owner, ask a pro to help you get started - Unlike clipping human toes, it can be an ordeal when you trim your dog’s nails for the first time. As such, it is best that you ask a dog groomer or vet to show you how to trim your dog’s nails properly and at the right length.
2) Make a routine just for your dog’s grooming so she can get used to handling her feet - Make sure that your dog does not detest having her feet handled by getting her used to having her nails trimmed at an early age. The sooner she gets used to enduring a manicure, the easier it can be for you to groom your dog. A weekly manicure is ideal to prevent broken nails and to build a grooming routine.
3) Use a nail grinder as clipper alternative - For dogs who cannot tolerate nail trimmers, they might find it more comfortable when you use a nail grinder.
4) Give your dog a treat - Just like behavior training, giving your dog a treat after trimming her nails helps them to understand that allowing you to finish a routine manicure can be rewarded.

If all else fails, don’t let your dog’s nails grow uncontrollably. You can always call a vet or professional groomer to have your dog’s nails trimmed.

Dog Bath 101

If you are a first-time dog owner, you may have no idea on how to give your dog a bath. Don’t worry, it only takes several easy steps to keep your dog groomed. Here are 6 steps you can follow:

1) Prepare - One of the first things you need to do is place clean cotton balls on your dog’s ears to prevent water from infecting her ears while bathing. Place her on a tub where she can fit.
2) Water - Using lukewarm water is ideal when wetting your dog’s hair thoroughly. To wet your dog’s face, use a washcloth to avoid irritating her face.
3) Shampoo - Choose a pH-balanced shampoo and make sure to apply shampoo while your dog’s wet to clean your dog’s anal sacs, particularly if you are planning to do include it into your grooming routine. Apply enough shampoo to lather up the coat of your dog, but avoid the face and eyes.
4) Rinse - Slide your fingers along your dog’s skin when rinsing to ensure you get all the soap out. Since soap can attract dirt, especially when it has dried up on your dog’s hair, it is important to rinse thoroughly. Failing to do so may increase your dog’s risk to mats.
5) Conditioner - Use a pH-balanced cream or conditioner for dogs to prevent tangles and make sure the coat dries out completely. Rinse the conditioner thoroughly as it can equally attract dirt as shampoo.
6) Drying - Use a clean towel and start drying your dog’s hair. Sometimes, soap can still be present, so look out for soapy water while squeezing the towel into the coat. When this happens, simply rinse the coat again.

Everyone loves a bath and even if your dog doesn’t say so, you can see after giving her a bath that she appreciates being cleaned. Once you make it a routine, it will be easier for you to give your dog a regular bath.

When to Call a Pro Dog Groomer

Many people give the dog grooming responsibilities to their kids. Although this is a good way to introduce your kids to responsibility, it may not benefit your dogs. One bad grooming experience can become traumatic for your dogs, so no matter how much your kids promise to bathe, cut the hair and groom your dogs, you can never be too sure they’ll be handled properly.

Most people groom their dogs from head to toe on their own. However, when you face situations wherein you cannot handle your dogs properly or you don’t have enough time on your hands to keep your dog well-groomed, it is best to rely on the skills and expert advice of a professional.

While you can easily perform regular baths and toenail clipping on your own, some situations may require your utmost attention and patience. For instance, if your dog tangles with a sticker brush, it may take forever for you to pick every inch of stick out of his coat or if your dog becomes wild when you start touching his paws in preparation of trimming his nails, these situations can become tricky especially if you don’t have the experience, skill, time or patient to handle the situation. Newly adopted dogs that haven’t been groomed before can be more difficult to handle when grooming than your other dogs.

You may try all you want and handle these situations on your own, but are you willing to risk giving your dog a bad haircut, uneven toenails, infecting his ears and other problems improper grooming can cause? If not, don’t be ashamed to seek the help of expert dog groomers. Besides, you can a plumber when you don’t have time or skill to fix your pipes, right? There’s no shame in hiring someone to do the tasks you won’t, can’t or don’t know how to do.