Brushing & Bathing
Grooming is an important component of regular care for dogs and is important for maintaining a shiny coat and healthy skin, teeth and nails. If puppies learn to enjoy being brushed at a young age, an added benefit is that daily grooming sessions can become an enjoyable activity for both of you!
Brushing: Regular brushing removes dead hair and helps to distribute the skin’s natural oils throughout the coat. Although all dogs benefit from brushing, long-haired dogs and dogs with double coats may require a bit more attention to prevent matting. Areas of your puppy’s body that are most likely to form mats include behind the ears, behind the legs and under the tail. Here are some guidelines for caring for your dog’s coat:
- Always begin brushing sessions when your puppy is relaxed and in a quiet, distraction-free setting. Avoid attempting to brush him when he is very active and ready to play!
- Each grooming session should include a careful inspection for external parasites such as fleas or ticks, and skin infections such as ringworm. Grooming also provides an opportunity to examine your dog for lumps or skin lesions. If any sores or lumps are found, seek veterinary attention.
- If your dog has mats on some areas of his body, it is helpful to remove these in a single session and plan another grooming session that is “just for enjoyment”. Separating pleasant from unpleasant grooming procedures is an effective way to ensure that your dog will continue to enjoy being combed and brushed.
Bathing: If you brush your dog regularly and take good care of his skin and coat, he will require bathing relatively infrequently. Dogs who participate in outdoor activities such as hiking, running or field work, may need more frequent bathing.
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