GROOMING CAN BE FUN!

 

Make this your New Year’s mantra or resolution.

 

Your dog needs your help to keep his coat, nails, ears and teeth in top condition. Keeping a dog in top condition requires routine maintenance. You need to keep him snag- and tangle-free, his teeth clean, nails trimmed and ears clean. In doing so you’ll be running your hands over the entire dog. You will notice new lumps and bumps and your dog will be more comfortable if he is tangle-free.

 

If you lack time or interest in keeping your dog clean and groomed, you need to take your dog periodically to a groomer. Daily brushing for a Wheaten is a requirement of good care. You want the dog to know this is part of his life and that it is not something to dread. Make it fun. Give treats when you are done, if your dog is one that likes treats. Grooming can easily be done in just a few minutes a day and it’s the best way to know what is going on with your dog. Observation and attention to the dog are the two main ingredients to knowing if your dog is healthy too.

 

Starting when the puppy is only a few weeks old is the best way to ensure he is not traumatized by his grooming sessions. Keep them short and make the time you spend together fun. Your Wheaten will get a very wild and unmanageable coat if you don’t take care of it properly.

 

You only need a few tools to keep your dog happy and clean. A grooming table makes it easier to do, but isn’t mandatory. You do need a good comb, two pairs of scissors (straight and thinning), nail clippers, a tooth brush and dog tooth paste, and a pin brush. You can use the kitchen sink while the dog is still small, but a tub or shower is the easiest in the long run. In many communities there are grooming shops that provide self-grooming facilities that include dryers, shampoo, and tubs.

 

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May the most you wish for be the least you get.

May the best times you’ve ever had be the worst you ever see.