Susan C. Daffron

Award-winning fiction & nonfiction author

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July 22, 2001 By Susan Daffron

Grooming

Imagine how you’d feel if you never brushed your hair. Dogs have a lot more hair than you do, so no matter what the breed, every dog requires some sort of regular grooming. Over time, dogs that are never groomed can develop mats that pull on the skin and cause extremely painful irritation. This kind of neglect is lamentable not only because of the affect it has on the dog, but because grooming can be an extremely enjoyable experience for the dog and you.

If you get a puppy, you should introduce her to the grooming process as early as possible. Even though your pup may not have much hair yet, getting her used to the process can be helpful later in life when her full coat grows in. Make grooming a happy process, but start small. Puppies have a very short attention span, so begin by stroking her gently and quietly handling her paws, ears, and mouth area. Over time you want to work up to being able to touch all her pads and toenails, look in her ears, and open her mouth and touch her teeth. Praise the pup when she stays calm and quiet. If she loses interest, don’t push it. Give her a toy and go play with her somewhere else. You want the puppy to always associate grooming with something good. After the pup is used to being touched and handled, introduce the brush. Speak to her in a soothing voice and tell her how wonderful she is as you brush her back. For many puppies, the feel of the brush tugging her fur is a new sensation, so go slowly.

You can use the same technique with adult dogs as well. It may take a little time if a dog has never been brushed before, but with lots of patience and praise, the grooming process can be fun for everyone involved.

Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Tails Tagged With: brush, comb, fur

About Susan Daffron

Susan Daffron is the author of the Alpine Grove Romantic Comedies, the Jennings & O'Shea mysteries, and multiple award-winning nonfiction books, including several about pets and animal rescue. Check out all her books on her Amazon Author page.

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