The basics of puppy grooming
Coat care tools
Rubber brush
Used to loosen dead skin and hair from short coats
Slicker brush
Works against the coat to loosen debris and strips excess hair from the undercoat. Great for grooming curly and coarse coats
Pin brush
Used to gently untangle knots or mats, which are particularly common in long or silky coats
Bristle brush
Used to remove debris from a dog's coat after brushing
Wide-tooth comb
A more gentle tool that can be used on tails and paws
Stripping knife
Used for stripping coarse-haired dogs four or five times a year. This tool is best used by a professional groomer
Hygiene tools
Nail clippers
Specialized nail clippers for dogs are designed to help you trim your puppy's nails without causing any harm
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Human toothpaste is not suitable for puppies or adult dogs, so it's best to use specially made dog toothpaste
Dog shampoo
Dogs have sensitive skin, and their pH balance is different to that of humans, so specialized dog shampoo is required for skin and coat health
Nutrition and coat care
A dog's coat is a strong reflection of their diet. A shiny, soft coat and healthy skin may be an indication that your puppy's food is enriched with nutrients such as Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids. On the other hand, a diet lacking in the appropriate nutrition may result in a dull, flat coat. A tailored, complete and balanced diet is the first step to caring for your puppy's coat.
How to care for your puppy's coat
Short hair
Short-medium hair
Breeds with short to medium hair include Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Border Collies. These breeds should be brushed every other day due to the density of the coat, which may include both a top and undercoat.
Use a slicker brush against the direction of the coat to loosen as much dead hair and skin as possible and strip the undercoat. A bristle brush can then be used in the direction of the hair to remove this debris.
A wide-tooth comb can be used on the tail and paws to gently remove debris and tangles.
Long hair
Although beautiful, long-haired coats require daily brushing. This can take up to an hour a day for adult Afghan Hounds, for example. Use a slicker brush, working in the direction of the hair, to loosen knots and mats. Because the hair is so long, this may pull the skin, so this should be done gently.
Using a bristle brush on breeds with silky coats, like Yorkshire Terriers, will add sheen. A wire brush can be used to remove impurities from the breeds with a thick undercoat, like Rough Collies.
A wide-tooth comb can be used to untangle hair under their chest and legs. The hair can be trimmed to equal length with scissors, which can also be used to remove hairs that are most likely to form knots or attract foreign bodies.
Coarse hair
The coat of coarse-haired breeds, such as Irish Terriers and Schnauzers, needs to be stripped four to five times a year. This can be done with a stripping knife by trapping dead hairs between the knife and thumb. This is not at all painful for the dog if done properly. A professional groomer should be the one to use this grooming technique.
Curly hair
Among many others, standard poodle traits include extremely curly hairs. Poodles, Bichons Frises, and other curly-haired breeds have very different coat care needs to others. While they are known to shed less, their coats are more prone to mats and therefore require brushing daily.
Using a slicker brush, gently remove any debris and comb out tangles across the whole body. Pay close attention to their legs, paws, and undersides to remove any foreign bodies which could have been collected during walks.
Short hair
Short-medium hair
Breeds with short to medium hair include Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Border Collies. These breeds should be brushed every other day due to the density of the coat, which may include both a top and undercoat.
Use a slicker brush against the direction of the coat to loosen as much dead hair and skin as possible and strip the undercoat. A bristle brush can then be used in the direction of the hair to remove this debris.
A wide-tooth comb can be used on the tail and paws to gently remove debris and tangles.
Long hair
Although beautiful, long-haired coats require daily brushing. This can take up to an hour a day for adult Afghan Hounds, for example. Use a slicker brush, working in the direction of the hair, to loosen knots and mats. Because the hair is so long, this may pull the skin, so this should be done gently.
Using a bristle brush on breeds with silky coats, like Yorkshire Terriers, will add sheen. A wire brush can be used to remove impurities from the breeds with a thick undercoat, like Rough Collies.
A wide-tooth comb can be used to untangle hair under their chest and legs. The hair can be trimmed to equal length with scissors, which can also be used to remove hairs that are most likely to form knots or attract foreign bodies.
Coarse hair
The coat of coarse-haired breeds, such as Irish Terriers and Schnauzers, needs to be stripped four to five times a year. This can be done with a stripping knife by trapping dead hairs between the knife and thumb. This is not at all painful for the dog if done properly. A professional groomer should be the one to use this grooming technique.
Curly hair
Among many others, standard poodle traits include extremely curly hairs. Poodles, Bichons Frises, and other curly-haired breeds have very different coat care needs to others. While they are known to shed less, their coats are more prone to mats and therefore require brushing daily.
Using a slicker brush, gently remove any debris and comb out tangles across the whole body. Pay close attention to their legs, paws, and undersides to remove any foreign bodies which could have been collected during walks.
Giving your puppy a bath
If your puppy likes to swim, or gets muddy on walks, they may require regular baths. Long-haired dogs may require more frequent bathing than others to be sure their coat is kept clean.
When to bathe a puppy
How to bathe a puppy
- Let your puppy become accustomed to the bath without any water, allow them to sniff the area and praise them as they do so
- Run the bath with lukewarm water to avoid any burns and gradually introduce the puppy again
- Wet the coat all over and apply the specialty puppy shampoo, making sure to be careful around the eyes
- Continue to praise and reassure your puppy through the whole process
- Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water, being careful around the eyes and ears
How to dry your puppy's coat
After the bath, rub your puppy down vigorously with a towel and keep it in a warm room until it’s properly dry. In the summer, the alternative is patting a puppy down in the yard or taking it for a walk, as long as they don't like rolling in mud.
A hairdryer may be recommended with curly-coated dogs, but care should be taken not to burn the dog and the hair should be brushed at the same time to avoid tangles.
1.Cleaning your puppy's ears
2.Caring for your puppy's teeth
3.How to clip your puppy's nails
How to clip your puppy's nails
Your puppy's toenails should naturally wear down as they walk across hard surfaces, but if they grow too long you may need to clip them. Toenails should be trimmed carefully, as to avoid the blood vessels which exist in a puppy's nails. Trim the nail with specialist clippers, from the bottom up. This should preferably be done at 45-degree angle to the ground. The undercut should be smooth so that no cracks are formed on it.
If you are ever uncertain of when to trim your puppy's nails, or would like a demonstration, speak to your vet.
