Grooming Your Own Dog

If you don't like having other people to groom your dog, it's a job that you can do yourself. Grooming your own dog will help to keep your dog healthy, but it's also good for their coat, and will help to keep your home clean. It's also a great way for dog owners to bond with their dog, and the dog feels like he's getting love and attention. Grooming your own dog isn't a hard job, and you might find that you actually enjoy it.

Skin and Coat Care

There are some signs to look for when trying to determine if your dog has healthy skin and fur. Signs of unhealthy fur inlcude dry brittle hair, irregular thinning, dryness, greasy or scaly. The fur may also not shine and it's appearance unattractive.

One good way to judge the health of your dog's skin is by smelling it. There should be no smell if your dog's skin and fur is healthy. If the hair is dirty, it will smell of whatever might be in it, like dust, for example. Unhealthy skin and fur will have a oily odor. The reason for this is skin bacteria that break down the natural oils of the skin will cause this odor. While this skin bacteria is normal, if there's too much bacteria or the wrong kind of bacteria will cause the skin to be unhealty. There are some shampoos available that can prevent the wong type of bacteria. Your vet can recommend the right shampoo for your dog.

Grooming Your Own Dog - Ear Care

While grooming your own dog, take extra care around their ears, since this is a sensitive area. Some soaps, allergies, bacteria, pollen, fleas and ticks can all cause ear problems. An infection or inflammation of parts of the ears called Otitis is the main source of ear problems. There are several different types of Otitis, and some will affect the outside portion of the ear, and others will attack the insides of the ears.

Since Otitis can cause the ears to feel hot to the touch due to inflamation, this is a good indicator that something is wrong. Other signs include a build-up of ear wax and ear odor. This is also very uncomfortable for your dog as well, so the dog might be a little touchy around the ears if there is a problem. If you suspect you dog has an ear problem, avoid grooming in this area and check with your vet immediately. The longer the infection goes on, the more serious it can become.

You should keep the hair around the ears trimmed, expecially if there is a buildup of crust or dangerous bacteria. Keeping this hair trimmed can prevent the hair from trapping the problem bacteria, and this also makes it more open for the application of medication.

Overall Grooming of Your Own Dog

Grooming your own dog gives you the opportunity to pay attention to your dog's coar and ears. There's much more to learn about grooming your own dog, and if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, you should hire a professional. Your dog's health is important, and grooming is an important part of overall dog care.