The fact that dogs have become very much part of our society and our families also makes it imperative for us to take good care of them. So regular grooming is an essential part of responsible dog care. It is incumbent on us that not just our dogs should be clean, healthy and well-behaved but it is also important how we should establish a good relationship with them.

Dog grooming, for many, may appear just an exercise that can be performed anytime effortlessly. However, it is more than what just meets the eye as there are so many factors that need to be minutely looked into. So the effective grooming encompasses a variety of factors such as skin care, hair care, dental health, medical health as well as socialisation.

Though the overall grooming of your dog is not as simple and easy as you might have thought, but this is not to suggest that you will be far behind of what an expert will do to your dog. However if only you would follow a few tips, it will make effective grooming faster and easier:

1.      Perfect Equipment

The equipment and tools for grooming your dog are very important and so that you can use them perfectly. Though there is a range of grooming tools to choose from but you should not get your focus away from their efficiency and relevance. So the following tools are helpful for grooming your dog:

❖    Brushes and Combs

❖    Trimmers, Scissors and Clippers

❖    Teeth and Ear Cleaner

❖    Soaps and Shampoos

❖    Grooming Table

❖    Dog Dryers and Towels

❖    Scissor cases/holsters, liquid dispensers, restraints and supports, and gloves and mitts.

2.      Before Grooming Begins

Much before pouring water on your dog you need to make sure that the following things should be taken care of:

a) Get the right shampoo: The shampoo meant for us has different pH content in contrast to that of dogs. If you are confused which shampoo should you use, ask experts such as a veterinarian. Ideally, a dog's’ skin averages a pH between 6.2 and 7.4, so it is recommended to use a shampoo that lies in this range.

b) Brush your dog: It is very important that the coat of your dog has properly brushed off so that shampoo does its work smoothly. The dust and dirt trapped within the hair of the skin could make it difficult for shampoo to make enough lather.

c)  Block the ears and stop the tears: Ask an expert vet regarding a mild eye ointment for your dog so that tears could be prevented from coming out. At the same time use cotton buds to prevent water from entering inside your dog’s ears.

d) Work on a non-slippery surface and use lukewarm water: The platform on which grooming is to be done, should not be slippery so that your dog will be able to stand without slipping. After that fill the tub with lukewarm water before putting your dog inside that. Also, the lukewarm water relieves stress and is good for your dog’s coat.

3.      Time for a Healthy Splash

To start with, it is better to give your dog bath out in the open where it would feel relaxed rather than feel trapped. It will be even better if the floor is not affected by getting wet. Meanwhile, it is important for you to know your dog’s coat type. If it has a double coat, you have to do extra rubbing because the double coat traps more dirt.

The shampooing should be done in such a manner that all the body parts should be cleaned without irritating the sensitive areas. Remember shampooing from top to bottom i.e; from roots towards the end. Also while shampooing, avoid your dog’s eyes, nose and ears because these parts are also very sensitive and might cause irritation in them. In addition to that, you would never want to miss out inflammations, injuries or any other problem that your dog might be having in the meantime.

4.      Dry your dog properly

The drying and soaking process can be time-consuming for you as after getting bathed, dogs tend to get rid of excess water themselves. Also, they do not like the smell of shampoo and other cosmetic grooming items that much. So they want to go out and play in the soil, which means all of your hard work can go in vain. What you should do immediately after bathing your dog is throw a towel over him that can absorb as much water as it can. Just after that, use a blow-dryer to speed things up. Moreover, the warm air of the dryer will make him a little bit more relaxed.

I am a Pet Health and Safety expert. My specialities include keeping up with important issues regarding pet health and pet care, working closely with pet parents to find answers concerning training, grooming and caring for specific breeds of dogs. I am also currently a contributor on The General Post.