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Grooming Your Puppy
Regular grooming is important for all dogs. Yes, even those with a short coat! Getting your puppy used to being washed and handled from an early age makes for an easy and comfortable grooming experience for both of you for years to come. Regular grooming helps to maintain a healthy coat and keeps skin issues and parasites at bay. It also helps to minimise shedding and prevents matting in dogs with longer coats.
Here are some things to keep in mind when grooming your puppy
Brushes
The type of coat your dog has will determine the type of grooming tools you use. Long haired coats will benefit from a detangling spray and frequent brushing with a comb or slicker brush. Whereas a bristle brush or deshedding brush is better suited for short coated dogs.
Shampoos
When looking for shampoos, start with a gentle shampoo formulated for puppies. As your pup gets older, consider shampoos for their coat type or colour. Short haired dogs often benefit from an oatmeal shampoo and longer haired dogs are better suited to shampoos with conditioner or detangling properties. For dark haired dogs, there are even shampoos for a glossier coat and for white dogs, there are shampoos to remove stains and help them remain white – perfect when they’ve been playing in the mud!
When you are in between washes, brushing through a dry shampoo or deodorising spray will also help to keep your pup smelling fresh for longer.
Ears
All dogs are at risk of getting ear infections but especially floppy eared dogs (like oodles!). So, it’s a good idea to check their ears regularly and if you see them shaking their head and scratching more than normal, it’s time to apply some ear drops or bring them to the vet for a check up.
Ear infections are more common in dogs with folded ears because a lot more moisture is trapped in the ears. For breeds like golden retrievers, cocker spaniels, beagles and oodles, you’ll need to be vigilant about keeping their ears dry after a bath or a swim.
Image credit @teddypombaby
Eyes
Keep your pup’s eye area clean by regularly wiping the area with specially formulated eye wipes. if you have a light coated dog, also consider using a tear stain remover to gently clean around the eye area to prevent tear stains.
Nails
Regular walking on pavements and concrete will naturally file down your pup’s nails but you should also check them regularly and cut or file them back when they start to touch the ground. If they get too long, they can start to impact the way your pup walks and could cause long term issues. Ifyou are unsure how to cut your pup's nails, come into store and our team can show you how and where to cut.
Don’t forget that grooming your puppy is more than just a quick brush. Depending on your pup’s breed, coat and your lifestyle, they may require a brush each day. Keeping on top of your puppy’s grooming ensures that they continue to stay healthy, removes dead coat and prevents skin conditions and matting. It’s also a great bonding activity!
As your puppy matures and their coat changes, you may need to upgrade your brushes and shampoos to suit. Head into store to speak to our expert team who’ll help you find the right products for your pup.
