In the past, a dogs appearance and well-being was not a priority, but Yorkshire Terrier grooming is now a major concern for Yorkie owners. Most dogs were kept outside in a kennel, and rarely, if ever washed. However, in recent years pet owners spend more time taking care of their dogs by washing, brushing and trimming nails on a regular basis. A greater affection towards canines, and an awareness of pet health care has led to an increase in owners who groom their pets.

Grooming your Yorkie on a regular basis minimises the risk of skin problems. You will notice the emergence of any skin-related problems before they become a more serious health issue. If any symptoms like a lump appears, there's a greater chance you will detect this if you groom your Yorkshire Terrier regularly. In many cases, this familiarity with your pet has prolonged and saved many Yorkies' lives. Dogs are unable to tell their owners where they are suffering from pain, so it's important to check your Yorkie in order to prevent more serious health problems in the future. Your dog should become comfortable with this activity and enjoy it if possible.

Most dog owners have a problem when it comes to washing their pets. Brushing or combing your Yorkie is normally not a problem. However many dogs hate bathing and being washed. When a dog realises water is involved to wash them, they show there dislike of getting wet immediately. In some cases, a dog will even panic and resist washing, as soon as they see water.

Initially, you have to make your Yorkshire Terrier feel comfortable with the grooming process. The earlier you start to groom your young dog, the better. As they say 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks', and this is definitely the case here. Make grooming part of your dogs routine, so it's a pleasant experience for you and your pet.

Once your puppy gets accustomed to being handled, he or she gradually starts to enjoy this activity, thanks to their social nature. After a while they'll begin to trust you, and let you handle them with less and less resistance. Once this trust has been established you can start to rub your dog, touch its ears, paws and other parts of the body. As your pet allows you to do this, praise him or her. This simple preparation is important because your Yorkie will not suffer any anxiety when you eventually decide to groom your pet.

Yorkshire Terrier grooming has become more widespread amongst Yorkie owners as they realise the importance of this activity. Once your pet trusts you and becomes more familiar with grooming, it no longer becomes a problem.

If you're a Yorkie owner, or would like to find out more about these popular pets health and behaviour problems, then visit Yorkshire Terrier Problems to find out more!