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Brushing is Basic

Brushing Is Basic

All dogs should be brushed. Brushing is basic to maintaining a clean and healthy coat. Frequent brushing loosens and removes scale, dirt and dead hair; distributes the natural oils throughout the coat and helps prevent tangles in long hair. How often this should be done and how much times it takes depends upon the haircoat of the individual dog. However, brushing every day is recommended during spring and fall when shedding can be very heavy to help control loose hair. Always brush the dog before bathing to remove dead hair and mays from the coats of longhair dogs.

A brush with natural bristles is popular for removing dead hair. Use a brush with correct bristle length - short for medium and shorthaired dogs, long for longhaired dogs. Another option for many medium and longhaired breeds is a brush with fine bent-wire teeth called a “slicker” or “carder.” For shorthaired breeds a hound mitt with short bristles on one side that you can slip over your hand is very effective. Brushes and other grooming equip-ment are available at pet shops and knowledgeable pet shop personnel can help you make the appropriate choice for your dog’s type of coat.

It’s important to get the brush down to the skin as massaging action helps loosen and remove dandruff flakes. Most longhaired breeds are brushed in layers from the skin outward. Then brush with the lay of the hair for the final touch.

A dog is not groomed if only his back and upper body are brushed. Train the dog to lie on either side and lift its front and then its back legs for underbody brushing. This is particularly important for longhaired dogs because mats often develop in this area. Some dogs object to this and it is necessary to experiment with the most satisfactory way to handle them. Sometimes resting the dog’s foot in the palm of the hand and using gentle strokes solves the problem. Some dogs may like to lie on their back or only one side. Others never like this aspect of grooming no matter how they are handled. If this is the case, be firm and let the dog know this step in the grooming procedure must be followed. Be as gentle and quick as possible, praise the dog for being good and reward him with a treat such as Purina ® Bonz dog snacks or Purina ® Dog Biscuits.

Mats and Tangles

If a longhaired dog is not groomed daily, mats and tangles can be a serious problem. Sometimes tangles can be brushed out. If the coat is matted, try using your fingers to pull the mat apart and then brush the hair in place. If the mat cannot be worked apart with the fingers, grooming preparations are available that lubricate the mats so they are easier to comb out. If combing will not work, the mats must be cut off. Gently pull the mat away from the dog’s body, then carefully cut the hair between the mat and the skin. Blunt-edge scissors are recommended to help prevent injuring the dog if he should wiggle during the cutting procedure.