Learning how to groom your dog at home is a perfect way to not only keep your pet looking and feeling their best but it's also a great way to save money and spend quality time bonding together.

However, as wonderful as it may sound, your dog might not be quite as thrilled as you are at the prospect, especially if they've never experienced true grooming before other than an occasional brushing of the fur. And in the case of dogs that are very fearful or unruly, the services of a professional dog groomer may be in order. If that’s the case, a dog car seat cover is needed to keep the hair off your seats.

Naturally, the best time to introduce your dog to grooming is while they're still in puppyhood. If that's not feasible, it is possible to teach old dog new tricks provided you have plenty of patience with them. Each grooming session should be started slowly, with little fanfare and attention drawn to what you will be doing. Setting and keeping a consistent schedule is recommended to help your dog become more familiar and comfortable with the new routine.

Before it's time to bathe your dog, they will need a thorough brushing, unless, of course, they are one of the breeds with short hair. Any tangles or mats should be worked on carefully and diligently before bathing. Take care when working on removing mats as some can actually have skin trapped within the mat, so you certainly don't want to cut into your dog's skin when attempting to remove a section of matted fur.

If you'll be using your bathtub, put a bath towel or mat on the bottom of the tub first to help keep your dog from slipping, which can easily frighten some dogs that aren't very fond of water. If you'll be bathing them outside, be sure to pick a nice sunny day and confine your dog so they won't head straight into a pile of mud or leaves afterward.

Always gather all of your supplies ahead of time keeping them within arm's reach as it isn't likely your dog will patiently sit and wait while you run off to look for a brush or the shampoo.

You will need a shampoo that is specially formulated for dogs as human shampoo can be too harsh, cause irritation, and strip their skin of essential oils causing a number of problems. Also avoid getting water or shampoo in your dog's ears or eyes as many are prone to infections.

Your dog can be persuaded to cooperate with the process better if you use a soft, but firm tone, never raising your voice for any reason from beginning to end. The goal here is to create a pleasant experience and not one that causes fear or uncertainty.

Grooming your dog will also involve cleaning their teeth, a task often overlooked by pet owners until it's too late and their veterinarian tells them their dog has serious gum disease. Beyond fresher breath, brushing your dog's teeth will keep plaque and tartar at bay and help to save your dog from serious, and expensive dental procedures later on in life.
By Kelly Marshall