Our four-legged friends would quite happily strut around emitting their unique “odor de dog” if we’d let them.
But the smell and home hygiene aside, it’s important to keep your dog’s coat in a well-maintained condition to avoid infections and skin complications that can occur from matted fur.
Lara Shannon from Pooches at Play says regular brushing is vital. “The rule of thumb is to brush your dog once a week for every centimeter of hair. So if your dog’s hair is 1cm long then brush once a week, 2cm long then twice a week and so on.” Dr. Joanne Sillince, managing director of Pets Australia, recommends undertaking basic training before you start grooming your dog. “I’m a vet and it took me nearly a year to learn how to properly de-matt and maintain a dog’s coat,” she says Lee Amiti, who has been a professional dog groomer for 19 years, says preparation is key when grooming a dog.
“Don’t show the hose without having the dog on a leash first. You always hear the saying ‘as soon as the hose is on, she bolted’,” she says. Veterinarian Dr. Andy Pieris agrees preparation makes the job easier and recommends starting by being clear on your dog’s breed requirements. “Long-coated Border Collies and Golden Retrievers will need a thorough brush out at least twice weekly, while shorter coated breeds such as Staff is will require less-intensive brushing and more regular baths,” she says.
TOOLS OF THE TRADE
Lee’s essential tools include a scrubbing glove, slicker brush, towel, cotton balls, and tops to get to the hard-to-get areas when cleaning ears, as well as shampoo and conditioner. “The key to a long-lasting wash is to dry the dog immediately when possible. It is recommended to blow-dry them if you can. It will eliminate the wet doggy odor,” she says.
Dr. Andy recommends a non-slip mat if you are using the laundry sink or bath to wash your dog in. “Dogs can easily injure themselves on a slippery surface and it adds to their anxiousness if they are losing grip while trying to bathe,” she says.
A good tear-stain remover or wipes can be used daily as a treatment and a preventative to get rid of the dust, dirt, and gunk that contribute to brown stains developing. “Only use products specifically made for pets as human products may be dangerous to your pet,” says Petbarn grooming manager Janelle Austin. If the staining is a rust color or persists, ask your vet for advice as it can be a sign of a more serious health issue.
If you’ve decided to give clipping ago, invest in clippers designed to handle your dog’s coat type; a weak clipper will not cut the hair and will likely cause a lot of stress in the process. Take it slowly and gently, understanding it may take a few goes until you both get it right.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU CLEAN YOUR DOG?
The experts agree over-washing your pooch is not recommended, and the general consensus is to only wash them as often as needed, and no more than fortnightly. “So many people over-bathe
their dogs. Dogs should be bathed when dirty or smelly,” says Dr. Joanne. “Many dogs have a semi-self-cleaning coat, which means they can roll in mud, get all caked up and then look great the following day. Others (like my Poodle) don’t and need bathing more regularly.”
ENCOURAGING RELUCTANT POOCHES
It is important not to force your pooch into the grooming process as this can make the problem worse, advises Lara. “It is a matter of creating a positive experience, so take tiny steps to get your dog to do what you want,” she continues. “If getting the dog into water is the issue, you could start with running the water and when the dog looks at it, mark it with ‘yes’ and reward him if he is sitting or looking at it calmly. You might then stop the water and do it again. You could then put the dog a little closer, or get a flannel or cup of water and slowly dip his paw in the water. When that is done, mark it with a ‘yes’ and reward if he doesn’t pull away or react badly.”
Farina Cheng, the pet parent to Brooklyn, a three-year-old Jack Russell cross, mastered DIY home grooming in response to Brooklyn’s anxiety. “When I first got our clippers, I got Brooklyn used to them by turning them on and placing them near him so he could get used to the noise. The next day I patted and pretend-groomed him with them while they were unplugged and turned off for a few minutes. It didn’t take him long to realize that they weren’t going to hurt him; in fact, they meant lots of encouragement and treats! Take one tiny step, see how your pup reacts and go slowly from there. Now Brooklyn almost falls asleep in my arms each time I groom him,” says Farina.
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