With the summer at its hottest, you might be worried about parasites attacking your dog's fur. While some dogs need a yearly trim to stay safe from diseases, others would require regular grooming. One of the things to consider however is that you might be risking your dog's health if you give it a trim without any know-how about the grooming process.
Before picking up your tools and giving your dog a makeover, don’t forget to consult a vet or a professional groomer to know the exact how-to. The next thing you might be wondering is what tools to use, and for that, we've got you covered!
Here are the tools you need to trim your dog properly!
Tools You will need:
Brush
The first thing on your 'trim tools' checklist is a brush but remember, do NOT use a brush made for human hair. You need brushes specially designed for dogs to tend to their different needs. Each different type of a brush can be used for different breeds but also, separate parts of your dog-grooming routine.
A bristle brush is ideal for dogs that shed too much. It removes any dead hair, dirt, or grass from the dog's fur.
A pin brush is perfect to smoothen out that annoying tangled hair and those impossible knots.
Dogs with thick coats require rake brushes to remove any tangles or dead hair close to the skin without pulling on the hair.
Pet Clippers:
You can get good quality, low-budget pet clippers at a local pet store and that will in fact be one of the best additions! Pet clippers come in handy to shear away fur and smoothly glide through your dog's heavy coat. Also, the ones with detachable blades are the easiest to clean and can be replaced when the blades wear out. Some clippers come with several speed settings, making them suitable for beginners who need time to get comfortable with the blades. Another thing of great benefit is a clipper that doesn't make noise. Dogs can easily get startled by these unusual noises and might even move around a lot, risking an uneven fur cut!
So, a quiet clipper will make grooming an anxious dog much safer for the pet and less of a headache for you!
Shears
If you are working on sensitive areas, turning to a pair of shears is the safest option.
These are what groomers use to cut the hair around the eyes or the feet. If you are new to grooming, you should avoid getting shears with a sharp edge, as it might end up giving your dog some undesired scratches. Choose grooming shears with more teeth for flawless blending and an excellent finish. There are some shears available with adjustable screws as well and it is recommended that you buy those to work with different coat thicknesses. If a clipper is too nerve-wracking for you, you can even entirely replace them with dog shears. Although using a dog shear will take you a longer time in trimming than clippers, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Treats
Positive reinforcement is best to motivate your dog, so don’t forget to keep some of your pup's favorite treats at hand to keep it calm. All in all, a calm and happy dog can make the trimming process a lot easier, and there are things you can do to keep it in that relaxed state!
How To Trim your Dog:
Start by making your dog feel comfortable with the tools and familiarizing it with them.
Also, begin with simpler sessions by brushing out the fur and giving your dog a treat.
Operate the electric clippers and shears around your dog to get it accustomed to their sounds.
Remove Tangles and Knots
Before starting, thoroughly brush out your dog's hair to get rid of any knots or tangles.
Start Trimming
Trimming should take you about 15 - 20 minutes.
Always remember to move the clippers in the direction of the hair growth to avoid any ingrown hair. Start clipping from the neck and work your way back.
Repeat the same on the other side.
Trim The Belly and Leg Hair
Bring your puppy's belly into view and repeat the process.
As for the legs, clip the hair downwards from the top of the legs. If the blade gets too hot, replace it with a cooler one.
Use Shears
Use shears to trim the sensitive areas, including the eyes and the ears. Be very careful not to injure your dog here.
Make sure you give your dog some treats in the end!
Final Thoughts
Although it will take special care and practice to familiarize yourself with the process, you won’t have to spend extra money on the grooming spa!
So go ahead, learn that skill, equip yourself and enjoy maintaining your dog’s fur coat!