What Does Dog Grooming Include?
If you are a new dog owner, you are most likely wondering how often to groom your dog. This is because not everyone is experienced in professional dog grooming or knows a professional dog groomer.
Fortunately, in this article, you will find out ways of your dog getting groomed. You will also discover that there are health benefits when you get your dogs get groomed because there is more to a groomed dog than just bathing often.
At Groomer’s Land, we would like to expand the dog grooming meaning beyond regular bathing to include other essential topics. So read on to find out all about dog grooming and why you should care!
Do Dogs Like Being Groomed?
Although many dog owners are educated about how often to groom dogs, some remain uninformed about this area of dog ownership. One reason is that the dog they own may be of the hairless dog breed kind, as with the American Hairless Terrier. This kind of dog just requires care for its skin, since it has no hair at all.
So, you may be wondering what does dog grooming include? Does the dog like the grooming process? And how can you make the dog getting groomed stay put throughout the grooming session?
You have to remember that grooming should always be a pleasant activity for your dog to go through. Some dogs like being brushed, bathed, and trimmed by pet groomer services. Others don’t. It differs from dog to dog- based on their temperament and personality.
If you find that your dog doesn’t like being handled by strangers, you may opt to groom your dog yourself. But, of course, this means you have to learn skills about specific dog care concerns, such as:
- How often should you brush your dog?
- How often should you de-shed your dog?
- Should you brush your dog’s teeth daily?
Ideally, you should know a bit about such doggie hygiene areas if you are a responsible dog owner. However, for the more complicated pet groomer services, you should seek a professional.
Examples of Short-Coated Dogs and Their Grooming Needs
Some short-coated dogs are called “smooth-coated dogs” because their short hair grows smoothly in one general direction. As you might expect, dogs (like Dalmatians and Bloodhounds) that are smooth-coated do not need as much care as their long-haired counterparts.
However, that doesn’t mean that short-coated dogs never need grooming. You should still groom them. This means you should gently brush their hair, brush their teeth, and do some minor trimming in certain doggie parts to keep your doggie looking and smelling wonderful.
If you are wondering, “Do short hair dogs need haircuts?” the truth is that a short-haired dog probably will not need a trim as often as a long-haired dog. But there may be some dogs in this category who will at times need a light trim to keep them looking good.
A short-coated dog groomed regularly will probably stand out from the pack, even if other dogs have papers to prove their pedigree. Sometimes, a short-coated dog may be called a “single-coat dog” to differentiate it from its “double-coated” counterparts.
Double-Coated Dogs and Their Grooming Requirements
You might be asking, “How often should you groom your dog if it has a double coat?”. As a good rule of thumb, you should try to brush a double-coated dog’s coat at least once a day. This is because this kind of dog tends to shed quite a lot of dead hair compared to short-coated dogs.
Brushing is also crucial since spreading oils helps keep the coat looking healthy and shiny. In addition, brushing will remove hair tangles so that shampooing after will wash away the underlying dead skin cells. Thus, the skin and coat will remain healthier than if you neglected this step.
Dogs that have double coats need a thick coat because their hair provides insulation in cold weather. If you and your dog live in a cold climate, you may have to use warm water and an indoor water supply to give it baths every two weeks.
This should be sufficient to cleanse your dog’s double coat and underlying skin. Next, use a hair dryer to thoroughly dry their coat afterward.
Grooming Needs of Curly and Wavy Doggos
As their name suggests, curly-coated and wavy-haired dogs have curly or wavy hair. Examples of this kind of dog are Poodles and Portuguese Water Dogs. Though not all curly-coated dogs have very long hair, their curly coats need maintenance from professional pet groomer services.
This means that your curly and wavy dogs will probably require hair trimming every so often, just to keep them looking spiffy and presentable. However, you should check if the groomer is skilled in trimming dogs’ curly and wavy hair. You might also try your hand at cutting your dog’s hair if pet groomer services are not available.
Just like the previously-mentioned kinds of dogs, regular baths are necessary for curly and wavy dogs. You should also pay attention to specific body parts, like the length of your dog’s nails, the hair between its pads and toes, and the hair around its private parts, such as the anus and the vulva. This will permit your dog to be well-admired even if it has no pedigree to boast of.
Wire-Haired Dogs and all About Their Grooming Needs
Certain wire-haired breeds (such as the Wire-Fox Terrier and the Airedale Terrier) need some professional dog grooming. For this kind of dog, a hand stripping technique is an answer to keeping the dog’s hair from growing out of control. In addition, if you keep the dog’s coat regularly clipped, the texture tends to soften up eventually.
Though wire-haired dogs have wild hair, you can keep it under control by paying attention to the regular hygiene of your dog. The length of the wiry hair will naturally dictate how often your wire-haired dog will require shampooing and professional dog grooming. Also, be sure to ask your dog groomer to trim your dog’s coat more frequently if their hair tends to be on the long side.
What To Do if Your Dog Needs Grooming?
Usually, a dog owner is the first to know when their dog requires grooming. This comes naturally if you have been a dog owner for a relatively long time. However, new pet owners may be at a loss at determining when their new dog has to be brought to a groomer.
If you bring your pet to a licensed veterinarian for a check-up, the veterinarian might point out that your dog requires some grooming. Some veterinary clinics will offer grooming services as well, so that makes it very convenient. If they don’t provide this at your preferred veterinary clinic, you can ask your vet for a recommendation.
Why Should You Take Your Dog to a Professional Groomer?
Not everyone is aware of what a professional dog groomer does, so you might need some advice on this. Some dogs are low maintenance when it comes to grooming, while others may need grooming more often. As a rule of thumb, your dog requires grooming when the coat seems to be growing faster and thicker than you’re comfortable with.
Dogs that have been neglected (such as those abandoned at animal rescue centers) may regularly require extensive grooming before being adopted. On the other hand, dog owners might not have the time to keep their pets looking their best. In this case, a professional dog groomer would be your best option.
The Benefits of Regular Dog Grooming
A dog that is groomed regularly (either at home or by pet groomer services) will look and feel great! Just like humans feel more confident after a thorough makeover, your dog is the first to know if their grooming is spot-on.
For example, if the hair on your dog’s face is trimmed the right way, your dog will be able to see better. If the nails on its feet are clipped regularly, your dog will be able to walk and run without hindrance. If you spend at least an hour a day brushing their coat, you will notice that their hair gets shinier and healthier. It’s the little things that matter.
How to Find the Best Groomer for Your Dog’s Needs
Like we mentioned previously, your veterinarian might be able to refer you to a capable pet groomer in your area. However, if the vet doesn’t provide a referral, why not go online to find one? Then, you can simply call the pet grooming companies using the number on their website to inquire.
Make sure you ask for their fees for each of their pet groomer services as well. Try to gauge whether their business is legitimate or not by visiting their physical location. You may have to ask around in your social circles to see if anyone has tried out that pet grooming center before. If they have, compare notes with them to help you make the right choice.
That’s a Wrap
So, there you have it- professional dog grooming by pet groomer services is a necessity that some dogs will need at some point. You need this kind of service if your occupation is time-consuming, and you want some skilled assistance in grooming your dog.
The good news is that once you find the right professional dog groomer, you know your dog will wind up looking neat, spiffy, and oh-so-adorable afterward! Of course, it might take some time before you can find the right pet groomer services, but if you do find it, make sure it’s a keeper!
8 thoughts on “How Often to Groom Your Dog- When is it TOO Much?”
Comments are closed.