Grooming can be one of the pleasurable experiences you can enjoy with your pet or it can be a trial for you both. Make it a joy from earliest puppy-hood and it will be an activity bringing you both great satisfaction. Training your dog to co-operate during the grooming process is the first step. Insist that the young pup lies or stands still while you perform your combing and brushing rites. Speaking softly while tending to his coat will do much to reassure him. Praise him for his good behavior and he will try to please you at each subsequent session. Teach him exactly how you want him to turn and how you wish his head held. Placing him on a table will help make the job easier for you and will encourage his correct attitude. Ideally your dog should learn to jump up on the "grooming" table at your request and to stand as you desire until dismissed. Of course, not all dog owners reach this degree of training, but it's a goal for which to aim. A specially constructed grooming table, such as those used in dog grooming salons, is not necessary. Any table which can be covered with paper and which places the dog at a height comfortable for you is quite adequate. We have even used the top of our washing machine successfully for this job. A large dog may need only a crate, or, if there is nothing else available, there is always the floor. Regular grooming is the important thing not the equipment.

Dog Grooming Equipment
One only needs a few items for the regular, routine grooming which is so essential for your dog's appearance and health. A brush with a good sturdy handle and firm, but not hard, bristles is essential. Although nylon brushes are quite popular, you'll find that a genuine bristle brush lasts longer and seems to do a better job. Such a brush need not necessarily be purchased in the pet department a "human" one will serve the purpose.

A metal comb is most helpful and you will find a large selection from which to choose. A wide toothed one is used for working out mats and tangles, and the fine toothed one gives that nice finished appearance. One comb having both large and small teeth may be satisfactory for your requirements. In addition to the basic comb and brush, there are other articles you may need or you may think you need. Before buying numerous possibly unnecessary items, determine what you actually need. Ask about this when you purchase your dog; ask your vet or your local professional dog groomer. If you are doing "special" grooming for a show or if you are doing clipping, then you will need additional equipment.

Short-Haired vs Long-Haired Dogs
Smooth-coated "or short-haired dogs are the easiest to groom and require the least amount of time. A thorough brushing once a week will keep the coat clean and shiny. Take care not to scrape the skin when combing a smooth-haired dog. Those dogs having long hair or undercoats require more attention. They must be combed with a wide toothed comb and then brushed thoroughly. This procedure will undo mats and tangles as well as removing dead hair, dirt, and stimulating new growth. Correct combing is done by parting the hair and combing a small section at a time working all the way down to the skin. Stroking first in one direction and then in the other makes it possible to get at all of the hairs. Since regular combing and brushing removes dead hairs, you will have less shed hair on your floors and carpets. The really long-haired breeds should be groomed daily to prevent any difficult mats and tangles from forming. A little neglect can have disastrous consequences for when mats are too thick to be coaxed out with a comb, then they must be cut out. As you can well imagine such cutting can result in an unsightly hole in the dog's coat. On occasion, even the frequently groomed pooch can develop a serious tangle which must be cut. Try to work it out to the smallest possible area and then cut as little as necessary.

Novice dog owners are frequently surprised how much appearance affects their dog. A freshly groomed pet practically struts around like a proud peacock while a neglected or temporarily unsightly hound will slink around and hide whenever possible.

As part of their regular grooming care, some breeds require a little trimming here and there. Hair growing around the anus should be kept short so that excretia doesn't become lodged in it. You may want to trim hair which grows into the eyes and hinders clear vision. Use a blunt round-tipped scissors to prevent accidental injury. Uneven and long hair around the edge of the ear should be cut off neatly in most breeds.