Reasons To Groom Your Dog Yourself
The main reason people groom their dogs themselves is for the bond it creates between dog and owner.
The Charlotte Vets recommend DIY dog grooming because, “It allows you to check your dog for any health problems, such as lumps or sores hiding among their fur.”
Taking your dog to the groomers may be a stressful experience for an anxious dog who is not used to being brushed or having a haircut.
Providing a relaxing and quiet environment can help them to feel calm as they begin bathing and can help dogs to get used to regular clipping and grooming sessions.
If you’re planning on entering your dog into any shows, then they’ll need to be well-groomed too. Have a routine so your dog knows what to expect for their grooming session.
Another reason to groom your dog at home is that it can save you money.
Professional grooming can be expensive, especially if you have a dog with long hair that needs to be trimmed regularly.
If you’re not sure whether to start grooming your dog yourself, then why not try doing one task at a time?
For example, you could start by just brushing your dog’s fur, and then gradually add in other tasks as you get more confident.
Various parts may cause more discomfort or anxiety to your pet so keep this in mind and know when to stop.
Stop grooming and allow your dog to have a break if they suffer from anxiety during bath time.
What Is Do It Yourself Grooming?
DIY Dog Grooming is the process of grooming your dog without the assistance of a professional groomer.
Many dog owners choose to do this to save money and dog grooming can include tasks such as brushing your dog’s fur, trimming their nails, cleaning their ears, and more.
How to Restrain a Dog to Keep Head Still While Grooming
Again, if it’s a new place, give Roby a few moments to get used to the surrounds as well as the tools you’re using.
Let him sniff the scissors or the clippers, whichever you are using.
If you can afford an assistant, or if there is a family member at home to help, you can have someone hold Roby to avoid excessive movements, in particular any jerking of the head.
Otherwise a good quality grooming restraint can help.
You can see in the video below what the groomer does to restrain a dog, in particular a puppy, while trimming around the face.
Naturally if you are using clippers you want them to be relatively quiet. Let Roby get used to the sound. Low noise clippers are the ticket here.
While clipping, make sure to slow your actions so as not to startle Roby.
Take a break once in a while after every section.
Lastly, treat him with snacks or other rewards every now and then to maintain calmness. Positive reinforcement is the key here.
How to Keep a Dog Still in the Car (Tips from Cesar Millan)
Standing still while someone pokes, prods and examines your body is tough for most dogs. Honestly, it’s tough for little and big humans too. Instead of forcing a dog to stand still, try this super easy dog training tip that works quickly and rewards your dog too!
A peanut butter plate is just as appetizing as it sounds! Smear creamy peanut butter across the entire surface of a plate and hold it up for your dog to lick away. When choosing a plate size, I recommend using a large dinner plate, especially if your dog needs to stand for longer than 3-5 minutes. By increasing the surface area of smeared peanut butter, it takes longer for your dog to lick than if you were to use a small saucer. You also want to make sure the plate doesn’t move around while your dog licks it, so choose a heavy plate. If you don’t have a heavy plate, place it on non-skid surfaces.
Before using peanut butter, it’s important to check its ingredients first. Unfortunately, many companies are adding xylitol, which is a low-calorie sweetener. Xylitol is deadly for dogs—even the tiniest amount.