Helpful Tips All long coated dogs get mats.Novice owners especially cannot understand when the dog is taken to a grooming shop and the groomer says that the dog is one solid mat next to the skin and must be shaved down.They have surfaced brushed and not gotten down next to the body of the dog. A long coated dog should be line brushed daily or at the very least every two days. LINE BRUSHING means parting the hair with comb or brush down to the skin much the same way you part your own hair. Lightly mist the coat with a conditoner then brush follow by combing with a metal comb down to the dogs skin. You part and brush from front to back moving from stomach line up to the backbone. Repeat on the opposite side. By placing the dog on its back you can brush from under the jaw ,ears, chest ,and inside legs (front and back legs.) If you happen to have a dog who dislikes lying on its back. Place the dog on your lap, head on your chest andbrush underneath that way with alittle practice and alot of patience you will have a beautifully bruhed dog He will not only look better but feel's better to. He will thank you and so will the GROOMER .
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When clipping or feeding dogs with long feathered ears slip a terry cloth head band (large band) over the head and it will hold the ears out of the way till done. No head band ladies cut up your old panty hose using a three or four inch piece from one of the legs.
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For a shedding Dog: Rub a little hair tonic or cream conditioner into the coat to help keep the hair from flying when brushing.Also feed some plain yogurt once or twice aweek this sometimes will help stop some shedding.
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When grooming a badly matted dog thinning scissors often will help to break up mats so that you can comb them out with a minimum amount of losted hair.
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Cornstarch can be used if a dog has soiled itsself or oily feathering on the ears or maybe you didnot get all the cream rinse out of the coat .work the cornstarch into the coat let it absorb and dry in the coat then brush it out throughly. Certaintly will help when you cannot rebath the dog immediately.
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By sprinkling a little ear grooming powder into the ear plucking the hair is easier because the powder offers a better grip, less pain for the do and oder-free ear. Alway have a vet. check your dogs ears if you notice an odor or see an enflamed ear.
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When clipping small puppies or cat toenails use a regular pocket type nail clipper. Its eaiser to control with tiny feet and wiggleing babies
Tip: Always keep your nearest poisons center phone number on hand not only for people but for your pets as well. Remember your pets can't talk.
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Dogs should only chew on nylabones or special bones manufactured deemed safe for dogs to chew on. Regular bones (especially cooked ones, they are more brittle)may cause splinters and be harmful to the dog.