Regular grooming not only keeps your dog looking lovely, it's also a great time to bond. A complete grooming kit will contain brushes, combs, clippers, and tools to help you care for your dog's nails, ears and teeth.
Instructions
1. Consider why you will be grooming your dog. Will you be showing your dog or just caring for her as a pet? If you plan on showing your dog, you will need a wider variety of items in your grooming kit.
2. Discuss grooming with the breeder you purchase your dog from or with your veterinarian. Some breeds require special grooming.
3. Buy a grooming table only if you will be showing your dog.
4. Purchase a grooming comb with fine and coarse teeth. Buy special nail clippers for dogs. Consider an electric nail clipper, which is easier to use than a manual one. Get a clotting agent (or a styptic pencil) in case you clip the nail too close to the quick and it bleeds.
5. Keep in mind that you will need a toothbrush and dog toothpaste. A fingertip brush will give you more control. Never use human toothpaste on dogs.
6. Get a flea comb (to check for fleas) and a dog shampoo (unless your veterinarian does not recommend using shampoo).
7. Realize that you may need several types of brushes to care for your dog's coat. A slicker brush will remove dead fur and should be purchased for all breeds of dogs. You can also get this type of brush as a glove that you wear on your hand. A pin brush is good for longhaired dogs and a bristle brush works well on short coats. A rake helps brush undercoats. If your dog has a problem with matting, purchase a mat comb.
8. Buy a dog clipper and blades, along with clipper coolant to cool the blades, only if you will be cutting your dog's fur yourself. If you have no experience doing this, let a professional groomer do the job.
9. Remember to buy a liquid ear cleaner and cotton swabs to clean your dog's ears. Some breeds need this more than others.
10. Use a special dog-fur dryer if you will blowing your dog's fur dry. Regular hair dryers can burn a dog.
11. Purchase a large storage box with a handle for storing your grooming supplies.
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