Grooming your dog at home is a fantastic way to save money and spend some quality time with your best friend. Many dog groomers charge expensive fees for their services.
Cleaning your dog’s coat is only one part of grooming as it also involves nail clipping, teeth cleaning, checking the ears for signs of infection and removing tear stains.
All of these tasks can be performed at home with just a little patience and determination. Even if your pooch puts up an almighty struggle before bath time, you can easily get him clean and healthy using the following helpful tips.
1. Take an Inventory
Before rushing out to buy expensive dog grooming tools from a pet store, take a look at what you already have in your home. Unless your dog is especially large and an accomplished escape artist, you do not need to purchase a specialised dog bath as your bathtub or shower cubicle will work just fine.
Search your house for old toothbrushes, combs, towels and nail clippers. If your dog needs his fur clipped, a regular pair of human hair clippers will work just fine.
Make sure you also have a good supply of sterilised cotton wool, plastic sacks and treats to bribe your dog if required.
2. Search For Cheap Grooming Supplies
Purchasing items such as toothbrushes, hair brushes and nail clippers from a pet store will be extremely expensive.
Visit your local second-hand store to stock up on brushes, blankets and towels. If you have a dollar or discount store nearby, purchase some soft toothbrushes and toenail clippers to save extra money.
However, if you have a large breed such as a Bull Mastiff or Rottweiler, it is advisable to purchase specialised dog nail clippers. You can search online for cheap hair clippers. Try to find a quiet blow-dryer with a cool setting if you don’t already have one.
3. Make Your Own Grooming Products
Dog shampoo, conditioner, ear wipes, flea treatments and deodorants can quickly add up to a fortune. Go online and research homemade grooming products to save big bucks on the famous brand names.
Dog shampoo can easily be made at home using a combination of Castile or olive oil soap, Aloe Vera, coconut milk and the essential oils of your choice.
Rinsing your dog’s coat in diluted apple cider vinegar or lemon choice will detangle knots and add shine. Mix one part apple cider vinegar and one part water, and then dip a cotton ball in the mixture to clean your dog’s ears.
4. Watch Some Online Tutorials
If you are planning on giving your dog a haircut, watch some online tutorials to pick up some tips before starting. Clipping a dog’s coat is a completely different experience than clipping someone’s hair.
Your dog will most likely wriggle, jump, flip over on his back and maybe even attack the clippers, so researching the correct way to hold him is essential.
Bear in mind that dogs are always far better behaved for the vet or groomer than they are with their owners. It is also a good idea to set your dog up on a table as he will be much less likely to try and escape.
5. Ask Your Vet For Advice on Certain Medical Procedures
One little known procedure that many dog groomers perform is to express the anal glands. This involves gently pressing on the glands located below the anus to drain any excess fluid that may have built up.
This procedure should only be performed if your dog has displayed symptoms of discomfort around his anal region such as excessive licking or scooting his butt across the carpet.
Every time your dog moves his bowels, the glands will naturally secret the excess fluid, so if he does not display any discomfort then there is no reason to attempt this task. If you think it is necessary, consult your veterinarian before attempting to complete this procedure.
6. Relax Your Dog Before You Start
Unless you are blessed with a water-loving pooch, getting your dog into the tub probably requires a wrestling match beforehand. Most dogs hate taking a bath, but the vast majority will eventually submit and resort to giving you the stink eye from the tub.
However, a few suffer genuine anxiety and will scream and thrash as soon as they get near the bathroom. If this is the case, it is advisable to give your dog a herbal relaxant such as SleepyTime Tonic. This will make the dog much calmer and less stressed during the entire procedure allowing you to get the job done faster.
7. Gather Your Tools
Make sure you have everything you need within arm’s reach before you begin. There is nothing worse than your dog escaping from the tub as you reach for a towel and then having to chase him through the house.
After you have bathed your dog, set him up on the table to dry him, clean his eyes and ears, clip his nails and brush his fur without pausing between tasks. Lifting your dog on and off the table several times as you go to fetch your tools makes the process much more stressful for him and physically challenging for you.
8. Secure Your Dog Using Its Leash
If you’re worried about your dog suddenly launching himself from the bathtub, leave his collar on and tie him securely to the taps or handrail. A wet dog charging through the home is extremely dangerous as he can easily slip and fall into furniture and knock over TV sets, ornaments and coffee tables.
Shaking himself next to electrical items could also cause serious injury or an electrical fire. If your dog is large enough to rip the taps out of the wall should he decide to escape, fill a plastic tub with warm water and bathe him outside whilst tied to a tree.
9. Save Water With a Shower
Although a bath may be more relaxing than a shower for your dog, it requires a huge amount of water. A shower is far more economical and will also help you do your bit for the environment by conserving water.
Test the temperature of the water with your elbow before putting your dog under the shower just as you would with a baby. Always lift your dog’s head when rinsing the shampoo from his coat to avoid any soap getting into his eyes. Be extra careful around your dog’s ears as accidently spraying water into his ear canal can cause pain and discomfort.
10. Go for a Long Walk
Instead of drying your dog using a blow-dryer, give him a vigorous rubdown with a towel, and then head out for a long walk to dry off.
Just be sure to keep a tight rein on him as dogs hate the smell of shampoo and will immediately try to roll in small animal carcasses and poop.
A walk at the end of the bath will also act as a reward for good behaviour. Thankfully, dogs do not tend to hold grudges for very long, so a trip to the park followed by a few tasty treats should make your dog forget his earlier ordeal.