Just a few minutes of daily grooming will keep Spot clean and beautiful, but its benefits go far beyond that. Grooming also makes him more loving and more lovable. If Spot shies away from handling because of bad experiences in his past, your gentle brush strokes and kindness will eventually override his fears. One day he’ll even realize that your touch makes him feel good. How will you know when you’ve crossed that mental barrier? When he leans into your hand for more!
Spot becomes more lovable after a brief brushing because it cleans his coat and makes him feel silky, or fluffy, or luxurious, depending on what type of coat he has. And no matter what type of coat he has, it’s mighty inviting for petting and hugging when it’s clean. That’s why a regularly groomed dog looks great, and just naturally attracts your attention and affection. On the other hand, no one likes to pet a smelly, matted dog that is busily scratching and biting at itself. Unfortunately, cleaning up such a sorry dog is a big job, one that often gets put off again and again, until the poor dog is banished to the basement or yard because it isn't clean enough for house dog status. This sad scenario is completely preventable, just set aside a few minutes a day for grooming Spot, perhaps while watching the news or just after the kids go to bed. Soon he will look forward to his grooming sessions with happy anticipation.
Some circumstances may keep you from grooming Spot for weeks at a time. If your Spot is long-coated and it ever gets out of hand, don’t expel him from your affections. Instead, take him to a grooming shop and let the professionals decide if he can be brushed out without pain, or if the mats are too far along and have to be clipped. Sure, he’ll look a little weird when he comes home, but he’ll be clean and sweet smelling again. Clipped coats grow back quickly, so go back to your daily brushing routine even if there isn’t much to brush. Before long Spot will be wearing his regal robes again.
Coat and Skin Care
Read a book about your breed to learn how it is groomed and which grooming implements are recommended. Then buy top-quality grooming tools. They last longer than cheap ones and help you do a faster, better job. If Spot isn’t a purebred, consult a book with pictures of all the breeds at your local library. When you find a breed with a coat much like Spot’s in length, thickness, and texture, check out a book on that breed if possible and read the grooming section. Don’t settle for guessing. The right way is almost always the fastest and most efficient. It cleans all the way to the skin and stops problems before they start.
Spot’s daily brushing or combing keeps his skin and coat healthy because grooming stimulates circulation and the secretion of natural oils. It also removes dirt, dead hair, loose skin particles, and dandruff. While brushing or combing, check for ticks. Although easy to spot on short-coated or lighter-colored dogs, sometimes they hide in the ears, between the toes, in the slightly thicker hair of the neck, or in the rump area just before the tail. Fleas are also easier to find on smooth-coated breeds than on long-haired and profusely coated dogs. To uncover them, rough Spot’s coat the opposite direction from the way it grows and be sure you can see all the way down to the skin. Although you may not see any of the little pests move, tiny black specks on the skin are a sign that fleas are using Spot for a bed-and-breakfast. Purchase insecticide shampoos and dips on your veterinarian’s recommendation, and always use them exactly as directed on the label.
Toenails
Spot’s toenails are too long if they make clicking noises on the floor when he walks, or touch the ground when he is standing still. Dogs with very long nails tend to walk on the back of their feet, leading to splayed (separated) toes and an unattractive gait. Besides making the dog uncomfortable, there is an additional danger. When left untrimmed, toenails and dewclaw nails eventually curl under the foot, circling back to puncture the pads. This last is every bit as painful as it sounds.
Clip Spot’s nails by lifting his foot up and forward. Then hold it securely in your left hand so your right hand can do the trimming. (Reverse this if you are left-handed.) If Spot’s nails are white, your job is easier than if they are dark. A blood vessel called the “quick’’ in the bottom stem of the nail is clearly seen through white nails. Trim the nail just outside the quick. You won’t be able to see the quick in dark nails, so make the cut just outside the hook-like projection on the underside of the nail.
When you cut his nails properly, Spot will feel only the same slight pressure you feel when cutting your own toenails. But if you accidentally cut the quick, Spot will yelp because his nail will hurt and bleed. Work in good lighting so you can cut his nails without mishap. Most dogs forgive an occasional severed quick, but Spot will resist work on his feet if you slip up too often. Everyone makes an occasional mistake, so keep a styptic pencil or styptic powder nearby to stop the bleeding and some soothing words to hasten Spot’s forgiveness.
Teeth
Hold Spot’s head firmly and lift his lips upward to check his teeth for tartar. If you find discolorations, remove them with a damp washcloth or soft toothbrush dipped in baking soda. Spot should visit the veterinarian for a professional cleaning if the stains are not easily removed. You can also help Spot’s teeth stay strong and white by giving him hard dog biscuits as treats and nylon chew bones for toys.
Bathing
Since daily grooming cleans the coat and reduces body odors, Spot will rarely need a bath if he’s brushed or combed daily. Shampooing dries the coat by washing away natural oils, so bathe him only when necessary.
Equipment for a bath includes old clothes (when Spot shakes, you’ll be as wet as he is); a tub, preferably with a drain so Spot won’t be standing in soapy water; a rubber mat for traction in the tub; a spray- nozzle hose attachment or a pail for dipping water; pH-balanced dog shampoo or insecticide shampoo if necessary; cotton balls; a washcloth; mineral oil; and a large towel or several towels, depending on Spot’s size. Coat conditioner or detangler following the shampoo is optional, but recommended for long coats. If Spot is a tiny fellow, bathing him in the sink will be easier on your back. Just be careful that he doesn’t fall when he is slippery with soap. You might want to use a sink-size rubber mat to improve his footing.
Give Spot some exercise outdoors before bathing him. Then he won’t have to dash outside to go potty (and probably roll in the loose garden dirt) immediately after his bath.
Spot’s bathwater should be warm but not hot, and the drain should remain open so he isn’t standing in a puddle of dirty water. Before putting him in the sink or tub, place a cotton ball inside each of his ears to keep the water out. Next, spray or pour water over Spot’s whole body, with the exception of his face and head, and use your hands to separate the hair, working the water all the way to the skin. Then put a small amount of shampoo on his back and massage the lather into his coat. Add more shampoo as needed to clean his legs, neck, tail, and underbelly. Cleaning down to the skin is easy if Spot has a short coat, but it will take a mighty good massage if his coat is profuse.
Use the hose or pail to thoroughly rinse off the lather. Don’t rush this step. Shampoo that dries in the coat makes it dull and can cause intense itching. If you accidentally get soap in Spot’s eyes, put a few drops of mineral oil in the inner corner of each eye to relieve the sting. When using insecticide shampoo or dip to kill fleas and ticks, follow the label directions carefully. Coat conditioner or detangler goes on last and is used according to label directions. It may or may not have to be rinsed out.
Finish by wiping Spot’s face and head with a warm, well-wrung washcloth. Remove the cotton from his ears and wipe each ear out with a dry cotton ball dipped in a smidgen of mineral oil. Then wrap Spot in a towel, lift him from the tub, and towel-dry him well, especially his chest and underbelly.
