Grooming, along with exercise, genetic defects and temperament are critical characteristics that prospective dog owners must take into consideration before buying a dog. Ignore any one of these important issues and you jeopardize your long-term relationship with your dog.
It's a good idea to introduce or socialize your dog to professional grooming at an early age, but not before your dog has reached 4 months. This will help to introduce your dog to being handled and brushed by strangers as well as reduce your anxiety level when scheduling the next professional grooming appointment.
Regular grooming can also amount to preventive medicine by alerting you to skin diseases, ticks, infected ears and just ordinary bumps or cuts that might need the attention of your veterinarian.
When your dog comes back from a pet salon looking gorgeous and is eager to jump up in your arms, you would feel a bit annoyed if he/she had bad breath. You may have bought a dog tooth brush and paste at the pet store and tried to brush your dog's teeth.
Home grooming is an essential part of pet care, brushing and combing frequently at home is especially important to maintain a good coat. In addition you have to clean paws after a walk, clean around the mouth, remove eye stains, remove debris from the coat or examine skin and coat conditions as often as needed.
Bathing your dog too often is not good for his skin, so keep it down to when he gets into something greasy, when company is coming, or when he gets to smelling just too darn doggy. If you leave mud on a
dog, most of it will dry up and fall off on its own (and with his help as he lays on his back and wiggles around). Obviously, the "mud rubbing" is best done outdoors!
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