There are many dog grooming secrets for beginners using which one can groom their dog easily. These simple dog grooming techniques help instill good manners in your dog and also make the experience a pleasant and positive one. Let us study some professional dog grooming tips to help you out.
1. Use positive reinforcement
One of the best dog grooming techniques is positive reinforcement. When using this method, you reward your pet for good behavior. This method works well if you get your pet used to grooming from an early age. For example, every time your pet willing comes to bathe or jumps on the grooming table, then you use the words ‘Good dog’ and also give her a treat. When your dog does not come on the table or to the bathroom willingly, you do not punish her but nor do you praise her. In fact, you must ignore her. This will make her understand that she gets a treat only if she behaves.
Tip: Some dogs are not food oriented. If your pet refuses to get groomed despite food treats, you might want to use a toy or some other positive reinforcement.
2. Choose a right time for grooming
Never groom your pet when she is tired, sleepy or in mood for a walk. Grooming can take a while. So make sure you have walked your dog prior to grooming and she doesn’t have to go. Some dogs get nervous at the professional groomers and tend to have accidents due to fear. Never rebuke your pet. Be gentle and soothing when speaking to her. Small puppies also need to be well rested before being groomed. You certainly do not want them falling asleep on the grooming table.
Tip: Use healthy treats to prevent weight gain. Do not feed your pet too much before grooming as they might not be interested in treats.
3. Choose a quiet place for diy dog grooming
One of the best kept dog grooming secrets is to do it in a quiet place. Choose a room or a place where there are minimum distractions and where you will not be disturbed. If your dog is very hairy, you might need access to an electrical outlet where you can charge diy dog grooming clippers.
Tip– Invest in clippers that can run for several hours without requiring recharge.
4. Pet your dog
Petting your dog’s sides, tails, tummy etc while grooming can help you catch minor issues like rashes, ticks, fleas etc. Observe your pet’s reactions while you touch her in different places. If your pet appears uncomfortable, stop the grooming. You can provide her with small treats when petting her in areas she is uncomfortable in. If your dog continues to show discomfort when you touch certain areas, you might want to lighten the pressure. If she continues to show discomfort, move to another section of the body and return to the previous section after a little while. Once your pet relaxes a bit, use lighter pressure to groom the sensitive area.
Tip– Learn to read your pet’s body language and listen to her sound. If she is yelping in pain, stop immediately.
5. Muzzle your pet
This is the last resort but it is necessary when your pet does not hesitate in biting you. If your dog’s a biter, you need to muzzle her.
Tip– Get your pet used to grooming from puppy-hood to prevent aggression later.
6. Do you wash your dog before grooming?
Many professional groomers recommend bathing the pet before grooming and combing. Bathing has many advantages in that; it loosens the hair and removes dead hair. However, you are more likely to have clogged drains and sewers. So always comb the hair out and then bathe your pet. This is one of the effective professional dog grooming tips.
Tip– bathe later, groom/clip first!
7. Keep each session short
Whether it is clipping your pet’s nails, trimming their fur or bathing your pet; keep each of the sessions short. You can always pick up later where you started, as far as trimming the nails, cleaning ears and combing the coat concerned. Bathing, of course, needs to be done quickly in a single short session. Gradually increase the petting sessions with your pet as she starts to enjoy the sessions and relaxes when you perform diy dog grooming. Avoid ‘pushing’ your dog’s patience. Never push the sessions longer than needed. If your dog shows signs of getting tired or irritable or restless, start by holding out a treat. Let her nibble at it. While she is distracted, slowly and gently use the brush/clipper on the pet’s back. Praise her when she reacts favorably.
Tip-Use the right tools to get more done quickly.
8. Get your pet used to dog grooming tools
Use a soft slicker brush and get your dog used to it during the petting sessions. You can start by petting with the hand and then gently replacing the hand with the tool or comb. Start grooming your pet while it is still a puppy. This will help you bond with your pet and also get her used to diy dog grooming. In the beginning, your pet will try to bite the brush or comb. In such a case, administer some treats and distract your dog with the treats.
Tip– Ask your vet or groomer for advice about the right grooming tools to invest in.
9. Start where the problem is worse
This is one of the best dog grooming secrets. Start where your pet’s hair is terribly matted or dirty. Use the shedding blade to pull the hair downwards. Zoom Groom combs pull out matted, loose hair painlessly.
Tip-Place the loose hair in a trash bag and dispose it off immediately. You can also use a vacuum cleaner. This will prevent hairy mess on your clothes and furniture.
10. Get your dog used to having her feet held
An essential part of diy dog grooming is clipping the nails. Almost all dogs hate having their paws held. But you have to get her used to it early on. When clipping the nails, use the advice given in this guide. During the process, examine the paws for parasites, dirt or other issues.
- Pick up and set down the paws every few minutes.
- Do not delay the process longer than needed
- Slowly get your pet used to paw-handling for longer durations.
- Use treats and positive reinforcement.
11. Educate yourself about diy dog grooming
There are many aspects of diy dog grooming based on the length and type of coat etc. It is a good idea to see some do it yourself dog grooming video tutorials. There are also many books available in the market on the topic.
We hope these 12 easy ways make diy dog grooming a bit easier.
