Dogs, as pets, need maintenance. While other pets, such as cat, fish or even a parrot for that matter, do not require much grooming as such; a dog, in order to maintain his ideal emotional and physical well-being, requires regular grooming. There are many dog grooming centers available today that offer a host of services at attractive prices.
For a pet parent who, while having enough funds at hand, also faces constraints of time, professional care is a good option. On the other hand, for those with an eye on the budget, grooming at home is more feasible. You can find some of the articles in case you are specifically looking or Pomeranian Hair Cut or Different Pomeranian haircut for summers.
Grooming a dog at home has its own benefits. As it is a one-on-one session between you and your dog, there is greater bonding between your dog and you. Also, spending some quiet time with your pet can alleviate your stress and even lower
blood pressure. Grooming, when done by a pet parent, can be quite a therapeutic exercise for both.
Table of Contents
Requirements for Home Grooming
The following are required for grooming your dog at home:
- Dog hair clippers,
- Dog hair trimmer,
- Brush – can be either bristle brush, pin brush or slicker brush,
- Comb – de-matting comb or a finishing comb.
Do keep in mind that there is a difference between dog hair clippers and dog hair trimmers. While a clipper is a larger-sized instrument and is used to cut longer hair, a trimmer is comparatively smaller in size and is used for styling and detailing.
Selecting The Right Clipper
Select the most appropriate clipper for your dog, depending on his breed, coat type as well as size. Also, as per your preference, you can either use a battery-operated one or opt for a clipper that is operated whilst plugged into the power point. Regardless of which variety you choose, do keep in mind that the blade of the clipper should always be changed when the clipper is turned off.
Procedure for Clipping Dog’s Hair at Home
A step-by-step guide for clipping your dog’s hair at home involves the following steps:
- Step 1
Before you begin, ensure that your dog is not unduly stressed or upset. In case your dog appears to be agitated, you can either give him some treats or take him out for a walk. Proceed with clipping only when your dog is settled.
- Step 2
To begin, brush your dog. Brushing should be done thoroughly so that no tangles remain. As per the breed, a brush can be either slicker brush, pin brush or bristle brush. While a brushing is enough for some breeds, certain breeds with longer hair might also require the use of a comb as well.
- Step 3
3.1 Now, start using the clipper as per the enclosed instructions manual that came along with the clipper. The pet parent can also view how-to videos available online or read through articles to understand the clipping process better. Usually, the best way to begin is by clipping from the shoulders of your dog, moving towards the tail gradually.
3.2 Ensure that the clipper blade is laid flat against your dog’s coat. The clipper should glide effortlessly over the hair. If the clipper gets stuck somewhere, due to entanglement or matting, go slow and move the clipper over the same place a number of times to ease out the knot of hair.
3.3 The length of hair to be retained depends on the preference of the dog parent. Ensure that at least half an inch long hair is left behind, as clipping too close to the body exposes the dog’s skin to the elements, making him prone to infections.
3.4 Clip any hanging fur or extra fur.
3.5 The tail and paws should be clipped with care.
3.6 Chest hair can also be trimmed if required.
3.7 Hair inside the ears should be trimmed carefully, with a small trimmer.
- Step 4
While trimming the hair around the ears, make sure that only the fur is clipped. As there is a greater risk of accidentally clipping the skin at the ear, hold the tip of the ear between your fingers as you clip.
- Step 5
Clipping the muzzle requires extra care and attention. Begin at the bridge of your dog’s nose, proceeding towards the mouth. Point the muzzle of your dog towards the ceiling. While your dog is looking up, place a guide comb his chin with the spokes pointing in the direction of the throat, and move the clipper towards the throat. In this way, the underside of the muzzle is also trimmed.
- Step 6
While clipping between the eyes, the trimmer or the guide comb should be kept flat on the forehead with the spokes lying towards the nose. One the clipper is in place, proceed carefully towards the nose. Between the eyes clipping should be done very carefully, as any sudden head jerks by your dog might even cause injury to the eyes.
- Step 7
The face and head should be clipped with due care and taking into account the movement of the ears, nose, and eyelashes. With the spokes pointing towards the back of the head, place the clipper at the top of your dog’s head. Now, slowly pull the clipper back and away from the upper brow.
Clipper Care
After use, use a toothbrush for removing the dog hair from the clipper. Blade oil or clipper spray can be applied once the hair has been removed. Using clipper spray is used to keep the blade clean and lubricated. Occasionally, professional sharpening of the clipper blade might be required.
Grooming a dog at home is fairly easy, once you develop the knack for it. With the many kinds of clippers and trimmers available today, there is no dearth of options to choose from.
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