Grooming your dog is an ongoing process that will also give you important information about your pet´s health.
- The most basic thing to do when you get a new dog or puppy is to purchase a dog comb and brush that are appropriate for your pet. To acquaint your puppy to its grooming tools, you should let it smell the tool before you start apply it to its coat. Once you start grooming, you should make several passes over the dog´s coat using gentle pressure. As the puppy becomes used to this tool as being a part of its life, you can increase the dog´s grooming more frequently. Associating grooming with your affection can make grooming something that your pet enjoys. Eventually, you should be able to brush them all over, being sure to include their tummies, their legs, and behind their ears.
- Another good thing to do is to combine all over touching with treats and cuddles. It will be much easier to groom your dog once they allow you to touch them. After you can run your hands over your pup´s body without them becoming jumpy or insecure, you will be in a position to feel if anything is different in their skin texture, recognize lumps that might develop, or identify hot spots. If your dog suddenly doesn´t want you touching somewhere, this can be a cue for you to have him examined because something is bothering your dog in that spot.
Grooming your dog should be a pleasure for you and your dog. This is one of the times you can focus on your pet exclusively. One-on-one attention is often what a canine craves anyway, so combining your attention with grooming is great for both of you.
