Although it’s often overlooked, grooming is an important part of your dog’s health and wellness program. Here are some of the most frequently asked dog grooming questions our experts at PetPlace.com are asked by their 600,000 visitors per month:

1. When should I start grooming my dog?

Start regular grooming when you first bring your dog home and make it a part of his or her routine. Purchase a good-quality brush and comb and get your dog used to being handled. Praise your dog when he or she holds still and soon he or she will come to enjoy the extra attention. Some breeds have special grooming needs, so ask your vet or a professional groomer for advice on particular grooming equipment necessary for your particular dog.

2. How often should I brush my dog’s hair?

Routine brushing and combing removes dead hair and dirt and prevents matting, while giving your pet a healthier and shinier coat.

Your dog’s skin and hair coat reflects his or her overall health and nutritional status. Many dogs maintain a healthy skin and hair coat with minimal assistance. Some long-haired or curly-haired breeds require regular brushing. For most dogs, a good brushing once or twice a week will do the trick.

3. How often should I bathe my dog?

Your dog’s need for bathing depends on its breed, the skin type and hair coat. It also depends on the owner’s preference and how dirty your dog gets. Bathing your dog every month or two isn’t unreasonable, but some dogs will need more frequent cleanings. A good rule of thumb is to bathe your pet only when the coat gets dirty or begins to smell “doggy.”

When bathing your dog, make sure to rinse all the soap out of the coat. If there are persistent problems with scratching or flaky skin, he or she may need a special medicated shampoo or have a skin problem that your veterinarian should examine.

4. What skin problems are common among dogs and what should I look for?

Skin problems – including fleas, ticks and mites or allergies and infections – are common among dogs. Most conditions are manageable with early detection and treatment. If you notice excessive scratching, hair loss or flaky skin, contact your veterinarian. If your pet is continuously exposed to fleas and ticks, speak to your veterinarian about products to minimize the parasite’s impact on your dog’s skin. Remember that consistently poor hair coat with lots of skin flaking may indicate a deeper medical problem.

5. I have problems cleaning my dog’s ears. What’s the best way to clean his ears and how often should it be cleaned.

Ears also require cleaning, especially in dogs with oily skin or allergies. This is a delicate task and is probably best left to your vet. However, if your dog is easy to handle (and there is no chance that you will be bitten), you can learn to do this chore yourself. To remove excessive wax and debris from the ears, consider an ear cleaning every two to four weeks. Ask your veterinarian about products you can use at home, and be sure to ask for a demonstration of proper ear cleaning techniques.

6. I have problems keeping my dog still so I can trim its nails. Do you have any nail trimming advice?

While clipping nails is a painless and simple process, it takes practice and patience to master the skill. When you muster enough courage to trim the nails of your dog, you’ll need a good nail clipper, a nail file to rub any sharp edge away and a styptic stick to stop any subsequent bleeding easily.

Ask your vet to show you the correct technique, and then get started by getting your pet used to having his or her paws handled. Once you start using the clippers, go slowly. Try clipping just a few nails in one sitting. Maintain a regular schedule and be persistent. Your pet will eventually develop patience and learn to cooperate.

7. What is the most important thing to include in my dog grooming kit?

The most important thing required in your grooming kit is your own confidence. It will form and take shape within you and grow in time.

So, go ahead and start grooming your dog. If you can overcome your hesitation, beautiful and rewarding experiences are waiting for you. Grooming your dog properly helps to keep him or her healthy while building an important bond between you and your pet.

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Perhaps one of the greatest misconceptions about dog grooming is that dogs like and actually enjoy bathing as compared to cats. While felines clearly show abhorrence for water, some dogs may feel just exactly the same. Fido, Spot, Bingo, or Rocky may not be up for taking a swim in a little old tub, so if you’re a dog lover why not try these fool-proof dog grooming ideas that can help control your little pooches in the bath?

Tip number one:

Remember that by all possible means, your dog will try to weasel its way out of the water. Do not even assume that your pet will cooperate and just ‘sit’ and ‘roll over’ as you attempt to douse it with some water and shampoo. This will only make it easier for your pet to escape. A good follow up for this tip is to decrease your dog’s anxiety. Forget that you’re the ‘boss’ or ‘master.’ Show your dog some compassion by joining it in the bath or by bring playthings as reward for being obedient.

Tip number two:

Another excellent dog grooming idea that can help control your dog in the bath is to not over coerce your dog into staying in the tub. This will only bring disastrous results, such as turning your bathroom into an unrecognizable mess and soaking you with water. Look at it this way: you are potty training your little pup and would not want to seem too threatening. Try to ‘convince’ the dog by giving it the idea that water is fun. Use toys and treats. Use reprimands only in extreme cases— you do not want your dog to have any water-related traumas! The result of this will be rewarding. Your dog will actually stay in the tub. If you’re worried about getting too much water around the tub, make sure to lay out towels around it.

Tip number three:

To be able to make the most of your dog’s bath, one good thing to consider is the strategic placing of all the necessary bathing tools. This will let you devote your time and attention to your dog and not to looking for shampoo, soap, and towels! This will also allow you to work at a more leisurely pace, making your dog feel at ease. Remember that a seemingly frantic dog groomer will only trigger your pet’s anxiety.

Tip number four:

If faced with a very stubborn and uncooperative dog, the best dog grooming idea that can help control your dog in the bath is to use a leash. A leash will give you the advantage of having both hands to lather up your dog. It also doesn’t seem threatening and coercive, since it is a familiar tool your dog encounters almost every day. Just make sure it isn’t too tight.

Tip number five:

Imagine all possible blunders that may happen after giving your pooch a bath. This may include soaking you with water because of shaking and getting out of the bathroom to go to dirty areas with soil. Such incidences will defeat the purpose of your bath. Always remember to have more than one towel ready so that you can dry your dog before you leave the bathroom. Also do not forget to close the door, as your pet might make a mad dash away from the shower. Make sure your dog is mostly dry before you leave the confines of your bathroom.

Hopefully, these dog grooming ideas will help control your dog in the bath. These are just a few tips if how you can maximize bath time with your dogs. You can be creative and come up with other strategic ideas of your own.

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