Basic Grooming Tips for New Dog Owners

As a new dog owner, becoming a pet parent comes with tons of responsibilities. This includes learning how to groom your pet to keep him clean, healthy, and huggable! Dog grooming can seem a bit intimidating at first, which is completely normal. At first, it can definitely be a bit messy and unpleasant, but with tons of patience and practice, you’ll soon get the hang of it. Use these tips below to help you get started.

Make Sure Your Pet Is Comfortable With You

Grooming your new pooch can be a bit unfamiliar and scary to them. If you just got your dog, it’s best to establish trust with them first before you can take the necessary steps to groom them. Take the time first to get to know your dog’s personality as well. Some dogs are more easy to handle than others. The more comfortable your dog is with you, the better the grooming experience will be. Eventually, your new pup will even enjoy grooming. 

Groom Your Dog Regularly

Constant grooming not only keeps them looking clean and smelling good, it keeps them healthy as well. Brushing them regularly keeps their coat healthy and shiny, and bathing them prevents skin problems. There are tons of grooming tools that you can choose from and this will vary on your dog’s coat type. In terms of how often you should bathe your dog, according to the American Kennel Club this will depend on many factors such as your dog’s coat type, lifestyle and hair condition. The rule of thumb is “we should wash our dogs when they are no longer huggable.”

Constantly Check for Ticks and Fleas

Prevention is better than cure. Ticks can cause life-threatening diseases and are more active during the summer. Some ways to avoid ticks and fleas making their way to your pooch is to buy flea collars for your dog or using flea-repellant sprays. It’s best to also keep your environment, especially your yard, tick-free. Be sure to constantly check your dog’s body, including the 5 common places tick’s hide on dogs. If ever your dog does have ticks, don’t worry, as there are plenty of products that help you rid your dog of ticks. 

Clean Their Ears and Teeth

Not only is it important to make your dog’s hair and skin healthy, but even parts that usually go unnoticed such as their ears and teeth are important as well. Ear infections and diseases can be quite common in dogs and can be caused by ear mites, allergies or if they aren’t regularly cleaned. You also want to regularly brush your dog’s teeth not just to prevent bad breath, but to avoid diseases and to keep your dog healthy inside and out. 

Clip Their Nails

Clipping your dog’s nails not only keeps their paws clean, but helps improve their posture and mobility as well. It can be scary at first for your and your dog, but all you need is practice, the right nail clippers and a whole lot of treats. Be sure to just trim a small amount of the nail as you want to avoid hitting the dog’s vein. You’ll also want to keep your nail clippers sharp all the time as dull ones tend to crack your dog’s nails instead of cutting them. 

If you follow these basic tips and slowly introduce them to your dog, you’ll be well on your way to have a dog that’s well-groomed and loves grooming time!