Chapter 3
PREPARING YOUR DOG FOR THE TUB
Toenails
The easiest way that
I have found to clip the toenails is to hold the dog’s foot up behind him with the pad facing the ceiling. (See figure 4) If you hold his foot in front of him while you clip his toenails, it
is akin to having your child watch as he gets a shot. He would just as soon not see it happen. Until you gain experience clipping toenails, it is best to clip a little at a time. When you see a
dot in the center of the toenail, you are seeing the vein; this is a good time to stop. If your dogs toenails are dirty or you can not find the dot, try putting some oil on the nail. This
sometimes makes it easier to see. You should keep a coagulate handy in case you clip too short. If you have trouble clipping nails, most dog grooming shops will clip the nails for you at a minimal price. You can usually just drop by with your pet, but you may want to call just in case.
Using your clippers
Before you
start shaving your dog you should get used to the clippers. They should be held.......
Page 17
BRUSHING
There are two schools of thought on brushing. Some say that you should brush your pet after the bath. Some say you should brush your pet before the bath. It is my belief that you should do it before the bath. In my experience, dogs do not like their toenails done. They do not like to be brushed and they do not like to be bathed. Not all dogs, but the majority. I found that if you get all these things done before the bath, then after the bath, the dog is more cooperative. Again, if you have a routine, then they know what to expect. I get all the "bad stuff" done before the bath so that they know the rest of the grooming will be easy. All areas that do not have knots and will not be clipped with your clippers should be brushed. These areas usually include: the ears, the feet, the face, and the tail.
Page 25
Chapter 7
MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How do I find a good dog groomer?
A: If I were looking for a good dog groomer, I would call all the veterinarians and ask them who they recommend. I would also call the local animal control office. The shop with the most
recommendations would be my choice.
Q: How long should dog grooming take me?
A: Each person will be different. Some taking more time and some taking less time to groom their dog. I would set aside two.......
Page 54
