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ne of the first things I look at when grooming a dog is the health of the skin and coat. Matted fur does not allow for air circulation to the skin, causing hot spots and bacterial and fungal infections such as ringworm. Fleas, ticks, maggots and other parasites may be lurking in the coat, causing further skin infections. Matted fur pulls and binds, causing pain when your pet moves or lies on the mats. The skin may be red, raw and inflamed. If a dog’s coat is not fully dry, this can lead to a bad odor or rotting of the fur and skin. All of this can add up to more vet bills for you to pay.
Some dogs have a single coat, while others have a double coat, which means that the lower coat closest to the skin gets maintained differently than the top coat, which is normally longer and often coarser fur. This requires a daily brushout to take the dead, potentially knotty fur out, leaving a cleaner, smoother one. Yes, dirt you don’t see comes out of the lower layer; but if it’s brushed daily, you will see a much healthier coat.
A dog with black fur is easier to groom, since their fur follicles are larger and spread across the surface of the skin; therefore, there will be less potential to mat. Canines with white or reddish fur tend to have a lot more mats, as the fur follicles are smaller and there are more on the surface of the skin — thus, more potential for problems.
To prevent these issues, here are some simple grooming tips.
Brushing: Set aside some time each day to groom your dog. Take pride in how beautiful and healthy they are, because you care more than anyone else in the world about them.
Reward: Having delicious treats ready makes this a more comfortable experience for your best friend, because not all dogs are thrilled about being groomed.
Correct tools: Owning and using the right tools will help maintain your dog’s coat in between grooming sessions. I suggest a daily brushout using a metal comb to get through to the skin. This will help with blood circulation. You can use a dematter or deshedder to remove dirt and mats and prevent more from accumulating. This will contribute to less time grooming, and you’ll end up with a happier and more comfortable dog.
Water temperature: Use tepid water, not hot or cold. You can ask your veterinarian if your dog would be better off with an antimicrobial or hypoallergenic shampoo. Our city is full of pollutants, which can create itchiness and allergies, so using specialized shampoos can result in a healthier skin and coat. It won’t hurt to ask.
Ears: Check your dog’s ears regularly. Are they red, pink, smelling like a bag of Fritos or filled with unwanted fur or soil? Is your dog prone to ear infections? You can be on top of this and keep them from discomfort by looking at them every day and asking your vet for help when needed. Before washing your dog, insert cotton balls inside the ears. This is critical to prevent water entering, as well as to muffle the sound of the blower when drying. By the way, it’s also a good idea to use cotton balls to take the sounds down a notch on the Fourth of July, or even on a busy street if your dog is anxious. There is a product your dog might enjoy called Happy Hoodie, a terrycloth headband that puts pressure on the dog to help anxiety and can also be used to cancel out sounds.
Paws and nose: In summer, you may want to purchase some Musher’s Secret Dog Paw Wax to moisturize, protect and heal your dog’s cracked paws. I recommend Organic Snout Soother to help keep the nose moist and prevent discomfort from cracking.
A dog that looks and feels good gets touched, loved and held. No one wants to pet or even pay attention to a skanky, stinky animal, which can negatively affect the dog emotionally as well as physically. So schedule your dog for regular grooming and enjoy the benefits of a well-maintained member of your family. Take pride in how much you care about your best friend.
Being certified as both a dog trainer and groomer means that I make dogs both smart and beautiful, and I am always happy to share my grooming information and experience. Don’t hesitate to email me using the contact form on my website for more information.