It seems these days the price for everything is on the rise and now that the holiday buying season is over those bills will soon arrive. Wouldn’t it be great if you could hold on to more of your hard-earned money even save a little to perhaps spend on something else? Well grooming your dog from home is a wonderful place to start.

Taking your dog to the groomer can cost anywhere from $40 to $140 per visit and if go three to four times a year the cost can add up. Some dog owners take their dogs once a month spending two to three thousand dollars annually. There are some considerations to look at before you embark on do it yourself dog grooming first being your grooming area.

Ask yourself, “where is the best spot for me to groom my dog?” For small breeds, a utility sink might be the best choice; medium size breeds the bathtub is usually fine, but for large breeds, your own bathtub may be difficult. However, a dog wash tub setup near a utility sink would be perfect.

By using a dog wash tub for larger breeds gives you the freedom of walking around your dog while they are safely contained in the tub. This makes the job easier to clean and rinse those otherwise hard to reach spots when using your own bathtub. Nevertheless, let us say you are really going to save some cash and use your own bathroom for now, what will you need? Read the rest of this entry »

Many dog owners are continually on the look out for dog grooming tips. It stands to reason that your animal must be cared for regularly, not just to look good, but for obvious health reasons. So it is important to work out a routine that will ensure that the job is done properly, on a regular basis and with a minimum of fuss and bother. It is really best to start at the puppy stage, around 6-8 weeks of age.

Grooming is an important part of the socialisation process for any puppy, getting him used to being picked up and interacting with you and your family. Also, grooming reinforces your leadership role and and is an important step in ensuring the dog learns obedience and is happy in a subordinate role.

You should make grooming a regular procedure, and should set aside sufficient time to carry it out effectively and in a relaxed manner. Starting when a puppy will get the animal accustomed to the process which it should find a pleasurable experience. Begin grooming when the puppy is tired and relaxed after exercise. For older dogs, you may find it best to begin grooming after the dog has finished its daily walk and before he is fed.

Think about where you will carry out the grooming. Find a place where dust and loose hair from the dog’s coat do not create a problem. Puppies and small dogs should be groomed standing on a bench at table height, preferably on a non-slip surface. This will make the job easier, with no bending. Larger animals can be groomed standing on the floor.

You should buy a good quality dog comb, perhaps made of stainless steel, which has teeth that will not break. Also, choose a dog brush suitable for the length of your dog’s coat, with stiff bristles for a dog, softer for a puppy. You should also have a supply of cotton buds or soft cloths for wiping the dogs eyes and nose.

Begin grooming by gently untangling any matted hair. Use your comb to tease out the knots of hair and it may be necessary to use thinning scissors if the hair is really tangled. This can be uncomfortable for the dog so take your time. Once the coat is untangled, then comb and brush the whole coat, following the direction that the hair lies. Make sure you comb round the neck, ears, under the collar, tummy, under the tail and the dog’s genitals. Follow the same routine every time which will make sure every inch of the dog is groomed. Read the rest of this entry »