When you’re first looking for expert dog grooming tips, it can seem incredibly daunting. “Cut here. Scrub there. Clip under there.” Trust us when we say, don’t worry! It’s really hard to go wrong when grooming your dog; but if it does, it’s going to grow back. They will forgive you. (Eventually.)

First thing’s first. Relax. Think about the positive reasons about why you’re grooming your dog.

It provides a great period of bonding for you and your dog, plus grooming is important for our dogs’ health. Just brushing your dog removes dead hair, and dirt, which causes matting. It also stimulates the blood supply providing a nice glossy coat, while providing a suitable opportunity for you to check your dog’s coat for fleas and flea-dirt.

By regularly revisiting our dog grooming tips you’ll quickly build a routine, and your dog will begin to think of it as an extra-special alternative to petting.

The basic dog grooming tips are the same for every breed, however some breeds may require extra attention in certain areas, and the more you groom your dog, the more you’ll learn about their specific needs.

The best time to groom your dog is when they’re nice and relaxed. If your dog is new to the home, get them comfortable with being touched and handled, by making a habit of petting every single part of your dog, including such potentially sensitive areas as the ears, tail, belly, back and feet.

·      Cleaning Your Dog’s Ears

It’s a good idea to check your dog’s ears weekly, especially if your dog has droop ears that are especially susceptible to fungus, waxy ears, and ear mites. You should look for special ear wash for pets to complete this simple task.

·       Clipping Your Dog’s Nails

You should clip your dog’s nails every two to three weeks, and it’s a good idea to get your dog used to having her feet touched before you attempt a nail trim.

Dogs have what’s called ‘a quick’ (the soft, tender flesh below the growing part of a nail) and in the unlikely event that you clip too short, this can cause them pain so we recommend several small cuts to avoid this.

·       Brushing Your Dog’s Hair

We all like a good hairbrush, and our dogs are no different. Always brush against the layer of the coat (don’t forget their tail) to bring out the shine and keep them looking their best.

Most breeds can be brushed weekly, however if your dog has a long, luxurious coat, such as that of a Yorkshire terrier, they’ll need daily attention.

·       Bathing Your Dog

By far the messiest part of the dog grooming schedule — bath time! You should bath your dog at least once every 3 months. If it’s warm enough for you both, then bathing your dog outdoors is recommended for obvious reasons.

After a good gentle hose down, use a mild dog shampoo and start bathing the dog’s body and legs. The dog’s head should be shampooed last, paying particular care to ensure that no shampoo gets into his eyes, ears, and nose.

The most important part in bathing dogs is remembering to rinse off all the shampoo. Towel dry your dog by blotting with a towel and give them a good combing-over to ensure there are no tangles or mats.

After you’ve groomed your dog, remember to heap on the praise. Laud them with love, and perhaps their favourite treat.