Grooming
Here is a guide to proper grooming. Before you bath your dog, clean his ears, to prevent bacteria from going deeper into his ear canals. Please see the "Fleas, Ears, Eyes, Toes" article on the website.
Things you will need:
1. Wire Brush
2. Matt Breaker
3. Fine Metal Comb
4. Nail Clippers
5. Baby Shampoo WITHOUT CONDITIONERS & DETANGLERS
6. Blow Dryer & Towels
7. Small Rounded Scissors
8. Bathtub Sprayer Hose
9. Ear Hair Scissors (from Jefferspet.com)
10. 6 ft. SHOWER SPRAYER- Hose End Sprayer For Bath Tub *** Very Important
GROOMING:
1. Clean ears, according to ear care article, "Fleas, Ears, Eyes, Toes".
2. Stand the dog on the table, and brush him, or place him on the floor and brush him. Brush his hair from head to tail. Then brush his hair from tail to head.
3. Matts: If you encounter matts, use the matt breaker (purchase at www.jefferspet.com). The matt breaker is a sharp blade that will cut through the matts without removing all of the hair in the matts. Put the matt breaker into the middle of the matt, penetrating it completely, as you pull the rounded blade through the matt, you will loosen the matt. Repeat this until you have broken up the matt. Next, brush through the matt. Next, comb the matt with the metal comb.
4. Clip his toe nails, remember to clip the extra nail that may be higher up on the front legs, the dew claws. Clip no closer than 1/4th inch from the base of the nail.
5. Comb the dog to assure that you have removed all of the matts.
6. Clip the hair around his feet, wee wee area, and some around his eyes. Use the tiny "Ear Hair Scissors" around his eyes, the tip of the ear hair scissors is rounded. Clip eye lashes to 1/3-1/4 inch long, this will help prevent eye watering.
7. Bath in a very warm room. Use a Shower Sprayer/Hose End Sprayer that is 6 ft. long. The Shower Sprayer/Hose End Sprayer Is Much Easier Than Placing the Dog In A Full Bath Tub. Place the dog in the bath tub. Wet with warm water. Apply Baby Shampoo. Lather. Rinse three times as much as think you might need to rinse.
8. Towel Dry, then blow dry. Be sure to blow dry the inside of his ears.
9. Clean his ears again with a swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide, then dry his ears with dry swabs.
10. Brush him with a wire brush and follow up with a metal comb.
His hair will hold the baby shampoo smell for about 3 days. Then you can place a very tiny amount of lavender baby powder on his tummy and it will smell good for about 3 more days. They love to smell good. They will beg for the powder once they get accustomed to smelling good.
We bath every Friday and have done this for years. It will not dry their skin or harm them in any way. Use no conditioners, and no detanglers as they cause skin problems. Not rinsing well will also cause skin problems. Snuggle your sweet baby as now he smells good and is nice and clean.
