Dog Grooming Tips to Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy

Many dog eye and ear problems they contract can be avoided by properly grooming with the right techniques.

Ear problems are common in dogs of all breeds and ages. Parasites, such as ear mites, are very common, especially if your dog is outdoors most of the time.

Here are few things to keep in mind when grooming you dog's ears:

* Make sure your dog is comfortable with his ears being handled. Some dogs hate to have their ears touched, and it might take a little work to accustom them to ear grooming.

If you're having problems with your dog, start slowly by handling and petting his ears during non-grooming and play time.

* Use a cotton swab or damp cloth to clean the inside of the ear flap. Do this a few times per week. If your dog is outdoors a lot, or swims, you might want to clean and check his ears more often.

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* Check inside his ears for any dirt or wax buildup. A small amount of wax is normal. If the wax smells strange, is an unusual color, or if there is an excessive amount, take him to the vet for a check-up.

* If you have breed with long hair, you may want to trim the hair under his ears every few weeks. The hair can collect dirt and debris, which can lead to an ear infection.

If there is an odor or discharge coming from your dog's ears or if he is scratching or rubbing his ears frequently, he may have an infection or parasite infestation. Take your dog to the vet if you think something is wrong.

Cleaning your dog's eyes can be a relatively simple task. Take a damp cloth or towel and gently wipe
your dogs eyes a few times a week. Some dogs may not like this at first, so make sure to to supply some positive reinforcement with treats and praise.

Keep the eyes clear of mucus at all times. Some breeds are more susceptible to this (such as Cocker Spaniels) and their eye care should be on a more frequent basis.

Keeping a healthy coat and clean, trimmed nails is an important part of your dog's overall grooming health. Depending on the breed, dogs require varying levels of attention when grooming their coat and nails.

Breeds with long hair will need more attention than short-haired dogs, and you will want to use different size brushes and clippers for different dogs. If your dog has short hair, you might want to use a fine toothed brush, or wipe them down with a damp cloth.

If your dog has long hair and you encounter tangles, hold the hair close to the root by the skin, and gently pull at the top of the knot. If it's too hard to brush out or if you're hurting your dog trying to loosen it, you might want to just cut it out.

If your dog won't sit still and doesn't like being brushed, start off slowly and brush him for short periods at first. Try to make it a fun thing. Treats can go a long way to get your dog to pay attention.

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If you give your dog a treat during a grooming session, make sure to give it to him after he displays desirable behavior. Simply feeding him treats to make him happy won't work in the long run.

Clipping your dog's nails every few weeks should be on your grooming calendar as well. Again, some breeds may require more attention than others. If your dog regularly wears down his nails by digging out in the yard or taking frequent walks or runs on pavement, this can cut out some of the work for you.

Dogs can be testy about having their paws and nails touched. It's best to start them off when they are puppies so they will be used to the idea. If you're having issues with your dog, try a couple of nails at a time. Don't make the ordeal any more traumatizing than it has to be.

To start, clip your dog's nails a little bit at a time. Dog nails have a vein under each nail called a quick. If you cut too much and hit the quick it will bleed a bit and make your dog yelp. Try to avoid this so grooming his nails doesn't become a negative experience.

If your dog has black nails, it's nearly impossible to see this vein. So just clip a little at time. If your dog has light colored nails, you should be able to hold them up to a light and see the vein. Dog grooming can be a great experience for the pet and owner if you take time to learn the ropes.