Unlike what the name implies, dog grooming does not automatically mean a trip to the pet spa. If you are comfortable with doing the grooming yourself, it is perfectly alright to do it at home. Grooming your pet is one of the basic responsibilities of a dog owner. It does more than making your pet look its best. Regularly grooming dogs produces healthier, happier pets. The act of grooming your beloved canine is also one way of bonding with your pet. If you are still not convinced as to why you should groom your pet, the following are a few other reasons to make you consider doing it as a regular activity.

Basic Dog Grooming Activities

• Nail trimming
Much like people, a dog's nails can grow too long. Long toenails can become uncomfortable for the pet as these can snag on materials such as the carpeting in your home. The possibility of getting accidentally scratched increases as the nail grows longer. As such, the pet becomes a danger not only to themselves but to other pets and people as well.

• Ear cleaning
Dogs with long, floppy ears need to have their ears cleaned more frequently as they are more prone to developing ear infections or diseases. To determine the health of a dog's ears, simply check the skin and the amount of visible waxy residue. Healthy ears have a light pink hue with minimal dark brown waxy residue. A dog that has developed an ear infection will tend to yelp, shake its heads or hold the head to one side.

• Teeth cleaning
Ideally, a dog's set of canines needs to be cleaned as frequently as a person set of pearly whites does. There are treats and toys which can help clean the teeth. In such cases, brushing can be limited to once a week. Owners should never use human toothpaste when brushing their pet's teeth. Dogs tend to swallow the toothpaste, causing them to get sick.

• Brushing of hair
Dogs generally like having their fur brushed, regardless of the length. The frequency depends on the length of the dog's hair, although there is no harm in brushing it daily. Regular brushing is also one way of bonding with pets. There are many types of brushes designed to accommodate different breeds. Brushes that have short, triangle-shaped teeth are great for dogs with short coats while brushes that have cone-shaped prongs are good for medium length coats. Dogs such as poodles and shih tzus will benefit from being brushed with pin or bristle topped brushes.

• Bathing
The process of bathing a dog can be traumatic experience for some pets and owners. There are dogs who hate being bathed and may run away when they hear the sound of running water. Generally speaking, dogs should be bathed approximately once every one to two months, regardless of the type of coat. The only exception to the rule is if the dog frequently goes out and gets dirty. In such cases, you need to adjust the frequency of the baths.

Professional Vs. DIY Dog Grooming

Benefits of professional pet grooming

• A day at a groomer's gives pets some time away from their owners. This is a good thing as it gives dogs time to socialize with other pets and people.
• Professional groomers do it better as they have the time, skills and the tools to get the job done properly. Your pet will consider it as a special treat.
• Watching how a professional does it can give owners pointers on how to groom their dogs properly.
• Professional groomers can perform tasks that owners are uncomfortable in doing themselves. This includes cleaning the dog's ears, trim nails, checking the anal glands and more.

Benefits of dog grooming at home

• Personally grooming your dog allows you to bond with your pet.
• The activity can show you aspects of your pet's personality that you were not aware of before. For instance, you may discover that your pet likes a certain type of brush for combing its hair.
• Owners will discover if there is a problem bothering their pets. For instance, an owner may notice that his/her dog is scratching his ears too often. This could be a sign of ear disease.

The process of sending a pet to a dog daycare may be a more recent trend but it is a trend that produces great results. Dog grooming makes your dog feel good. Do not think of it as a pampering expense. Instead, consider grooming your dog to create happier, healthier pets in your home.

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