5 Common Grooming Mistakes Made by Dog Owners

1. Clipping the quick when cutting nails.

Don’t be in a hurry to finish his nails even though
your dog wants you to finish quickly. Take baby clips
using a SHARP nail clipper (my preference is spring
style or cat clippers for small dogs).

Don’t use a Dremel or other electronic/motororized
tool unless you’ve had some training in using it.
It’s too easy to overcut.

If your dog has white nails, the quick should
look pink. STOP clipping before you get there.

If your dog has dark nails, you should see a
black circle in the clipped part of the nail.
STOP clipping before you get there.

If you do draw blood, apply pressure and
styptic powder. A product called QuikStop
can be purchased at most pet stores.
If you can’t control the bleeding, get to a
veteranian or animal hospital immediately.

2. Getting shampoo in his eyes during baths.

Dogs love to shake their wet heads and it’s
easy for shampoo to sting his eyes.

Buy some sterile ophthalmic ointment (at pet store
or www.1800PetMeds.com) and dab in each eye
before bathing.

If shampoo gets in his eyes, rinse with cool water
or saline eyewash. Do NOT put more ointment
in his eyes. If his eyes remain red or he’s
squinting long after he’s dry, he needs
a vet’s attention.

3. Causing electric clipper burn.

It looks like a rash and results from using
overheated clipper blades or damaged blades.

Inspect your clippers before each use and replace
missing or dull blades and blades with broken teeth.

If your dog is affected, he’ll try to scratch or
lick the areas, which only worsens the irritation.

It’s a good idea to keep an Elizabethan collar
on hand (or make one) for such problems as they
prevent the dog from reaching irritated areas.
Keep the area clean and use an antibiotic ointment
on the skin until it heals.

4. Unintentionally encouraging allergic reactions.

Allergies seem to be on the rise and some dogs
are more sensitive than others. If your dog
is very itchy after a bath or his skin is red
and irritated, it may be an allergic reaction.
Try products with oatmeal or use all natural
products. And always rinse thoroughly to prevent
residue build-up.

If your dog develops a serious reaction such
as hives, diarrhea or pinpoint-sized pupils,
he needs immediate medical attention.
If he’s just itchy, try different mild
products until you find one that he likes.

You can work with a vet to pinpoint allergens
but this a time-consuming and expensive process.
I’d try various products first.

5. Leaving him unrestrained or unattended.

Dogs, especially those who hate being groomed,
can try to make escapes by jumping off a table
or off a lap. Serious injuries can result to
small dogs.

Never leave a dog unattended. Groom him on
the floor or restrain him if he’s on a table
or in a sink. Create a barrier around him so
he has no place to jumping off spot.

You can have a second person hold the dog
while you wash him if you’re using an area
too large to fence him in.

Be patient, stay calm and offer lots of praise
as you groom and you’ll avoid most problems.

Louise Louis is a long-time dog person and
creator of http://www.ToyBreeds.com