Want to know how to take care of a dog at home? In this Animal Expert article, we explain everything you need and all the steps you need to take to properly prepare your dog. Although some people avoid pet shops and groom dogs at home, this is not an easy ritual.
The type of cut, finish or hairstyle varies depending on the dog and its physical characteristics. Keep reading this article and find out how to make your puppy the most beautiful in town!
- Before you start explaining how to care for a dog at home.
- You should know what type of hair it has.
- Hair care varies depending on the type of fur:.
Once you have identified your dog’s hair type, you can start thinking about what you need and the right cut. Also, keep in mind that if your dog is a Maltese bichon, the haircut should always exceed 4 cm. Otherwise, you can leave your fur curly due to excessive cutting.
Once your dog’s fur is identified, you should decide what type of toilet you will do to find out what care and preparation you need. If you don’t know how to make the right cut, you can consult a canine hairdresser.
For the process to be successful and end with a spectacular result, it is necessary to follow some basic tips. Start by identifying all the necessary products:
Before starting to comb the dog, it is advisable to prepare a bath with specific products for your fur, including conditioner if the fur is long. It is also important that you prepare a table or cutting area in a quiet place to work. In many dog rooms you can find tables with extendable arm, to hold the dog and prevent it from moving, and with a dryer at the tip of the arm to facilitate the drying process.
Before cutting, you should carefully brush all your dog’s fur, removing knots and tangles, so you can clearly identify the volume to be reduced and the areas uneven. So, if you’re wondering how to cut a dog’s hair with us, the answer is first to undo those tangles. However, if the knots are very large and therefore cannot be brushed, it is best to cut them so as not to hurt the dog.
As you know, there are different types of brushes specific to each type of canine hair. You can also find miniature brushes on the market, designed for small areas of your dog’s body, such as the face.
In general, it is recommended to cut the dog’s hair to facilitate the subsequent drying of the hairs. Especially if the cutting is done with machine, it is important to take into account this point and repeat the necessary areas after bathing. That said, the first areas to cut the dog’s fur should be the back and hind legs. You can then repeat the process in your neck, chest, front legs, and belly. Look at the areas that have the most hair, because these are the ones you have to cut first with a pair of scissors. If you are then going to adjust the hair size with the machine, it does not matter if it is uneven at this stage.
Take your time cutting. It is best to groom very slowly, carefully selecting the areas so as not to hurt the animal or leave the hair areas longer than the others. Also, if you’re relaxed, you’ll also help your dog feel comfortable and the end result will be better.
Once you have reduced the volume of hair, you can use the machine, always in the direction of the hair. How to groom the dog with a machine? Be gentle and do not apply too much pressure, so as not to cut too much in certain areas. At this point, it is common to ask yourself the question: “Is a hair clipar used to mow a dog’s lawn?” Yes, you can use your hair clip flop you have at home, because what matters is how you cut it.
If, on the other hand, your dog’s fur is only going to be cut with scissors, use your fingers and a comb suitable to measure the different areas. You need to get a consistent result.
Don’t forget your pet’s facial fur, as there are specific tools for this delicate task, such as adhesive bandages to hold the bangs and ears.
The hair around the eyes can cause discomfort and should also be cut, as it sometimes penetrates the eyes and causes constant tears, giving the dog’s fur a coppery color. Find out how to remove tears from your dog’s fur in this other item. Do not use the machine in this area.
However, when cutting your dog’s facial hair, it’s important to take special care of longer, harder hairs in different areas, such as the chin, snout and eyebrows. These hairs allow dogs to measure distances, feel temperature information or protect their eyes from foreign objects. Therefore, they should not be cut. For more details, see this article: What is the dog mustache for?
It also grows between the toes of your dog’s legs, so it should be cut to prevent dirt from accumulating. This area is particularly sensitive and dogs usually move uncomfortable when we are in the process, so we recommend caution and care. Finish the whole cut by also examining the nails. To do this, don’t miss this article: How to cut a dog’s nails at home.
After grooming the dog, you should bathe it to remove all dirt from its body. Then dry the animal with a towel, leaving the hair moist and ready to finish drying it with a dryer, if necessary. Then, after cutting the fur first, it is much easier to wash and dry.
Don’t forget to use a softener or conditioner on long-haired dogs, such as the Afghan greyhound, Yorkshire or Maltese bichon.
Once the dog’s toilet is complete at home, it is important to dry the hair with a hairdryer while brushing. If you don’t have any specificity for animals (they make less noise), you can use any of them, this way you remove excess hair leaving them flawless, shiny and soft.
When drying your dog’s fur with a hair dryer, it is essential that you first check the temperature of your hand to avoid burning the animal. In addition, it is advisable to start drying at the lowest level to increase it depending on the reaction of the dog. Again, patience will be your best ally if you want this experience to be as positive as possible. Therefore, if your dog does not tolerate the sound of the dryer very well, it is best to dry at the minimum power so that it is as comfortable and calm as possible, although it takes a little longer.
On the other hand, it is important to note that it is always necessary to dry in the direction of the hair, except in cases where you want to obtain a higher volume, since this requires a drying against the hair.
To dry the face and ears, it is advisable to minimize the intensity of the dryer, both to not scare the dog and not to burn these sensitive parts. Also pay attention to the legs, because in case of extreme humidity, you can favor the appearance of fungi between the fingers.
Here ends the process of pruning the dog at home, I hope it will serve as a guide and that the result is phenomenal. Remember that you can share your photo in the comments below to show the result of the process to the Animal Expert community.
The most important thing when preparing a dog that bites or escapes is to link the activity to positive stimuli. Thus, forcing the animal to stay against its will will not be an option in these cases, as it will only make it even more uncomfortable and therefore will want to flee more intensely. To position this practice, you must first bring the utensils closer one by one, let your pet smell them and give them a prize. Repeat several times during the day, for several days, so that the dog gets used to the presence of objects and does not get nervous just by looking at the scissors, for example.
When the dog is used to tools, it’s time to try cutting a lock of hair. Therefore, you will have to go very slowly and carefully, observing at all times the body language of your dog, especially if it tends to bite during the cutting session. In this way, approach the scissors, cut a padlock and reward the animal again. If he leaves, you can cut more. The same method is used for brushing and drying.
If it is impossible to prepare the dog at home, you will need the help of a professional from a canine hair salon.
Also watch our video to learn how to prepare a dog at home with professional advice:
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