Grooming Your Dog

Regular grooming is necessary to prevent skin problems. The skin acts as a protective barrier against the harsh external environment. It also acts as a home for a number of external parasites, including fleas and ticks. One of the most common and damaging is the flea. Fleas may cause a number of problems in dogs such as flea bite dermatitis, allergic reaction to flea bites and anaemia in young puppies. Fleas also carry tapeworm eggs and can cause tapeworm infestation.

For more information on controlling fleas, please see the skin care section.

Brushing the Puppy
Puppies are taught to enjoy grooming from the very start, because of the importance of regular grooming for a healthy skin and coat. There's no more frustrating problem than an itchy scratching dog - for owner, pet and vet. Grooming is most necessary in breeds with long hair and thick coats.

At first a soft bristle brush is used at least twice a day for a short period of time (1 minute or so). The first brushing is done just prior to feeding and have the food prepared but out of sight before beginning the grooming session. Talk to and pat the puppy gently and continuously whilst brushing and then reward it afterwards with its meal. After a few sessions, the pup will eagerly await the soft brush after which time the slicker (for long-haired breeds) or combination (for thick coated breeds) brushes are introduced. At this time the "flea comb" is used daily to pick up any fleas and flea dirt in both long and short haired breeds.

Shampooing the Puppy
"Flea Drop" shampoo is recommended for your pup once a week because it is a gentle shampoo with l Neem to repel fleas, which cleanses without irritating your puppy's sensitive skin. The pup is wetted all over with warm water and the "Flea Drop" applied and massaged into the wet coat, then rinse off using a rubber hose attachment. This ensures a comfortable warm wash and that all the residue shampoo is rinsed away from the sensitive skin.

A conditioner is combed through the damp coat in those pups with long tangly hair (e.g. Maltese, Silkies, Lhasas, Shitzus, etc.)

Shampooing and Grooming Adult Long-Haired Dogs
"Dog Gloss" is a weekly, high lather, low cost concentrated shampoo which cleanses the skin. Clean skin helps to repel problem itches and the "Dog Gloss" produces a fantastic shine on the coat.

Conditioner is combed through after the "Dog Gloss" to remove any tangles.

"Flea Drop" is used on sensitive skins for flea control after the above washing, or "Flea Derm Rinse" is diluted and applied to healthy skins for flea control.

A slicker brush is used daily, especially throughout the moulting months.

Shampooing and Grooming Adult Short-Haired Dogs
Use "Flea Drop" shampoo weekly for a healthy insect-free coat. Use the combination brush daily and the flea comb daily to remove loose hair and dead fleas.

Copyright © 2002 Rob Marshall, All Rights Reserved.