Dog Ownership 101 - May/June 2016

BE CAREFUL TO PROTECT YOUR
5 DOG’S FACE
If you are careless while combing the
long facial hair of your dog, there is every chance
to harm the eyes and skin of your dog with the
comb. If you notice any matting or tangles near
your dog’s face, avoid spraying them with a
detangler, so you don’t get it in your dog’s eyes.
A better thing to do would be to wet a washcloth
with the detangler, rub it into the hair gently
and then carefully comb out the tangle from the
bottom up. If the mat is particularly stubborn, take
an electric clipper with a blade guard to the mat,
but be sure to protect your dog’s face and skin.
Long hair on a dog’s ears can be a particularly
tricky situation. For general brushing, remember
to be gentle.
HOW TO DEAL WITH MATTED
6 AREAS
If you do find mats, keep your hand
between the mat and your dog’s skin and gently
work with a comb. A liquid detangler can be helpful
as well; just apply it with a saturated washcloth
and keep working gently with a comb. If you find
that you can’t get through the mats or if the mats
are particularly large, you can use electric clippers
to remove them. Just remember to keep your
hand between the clipper blades and your dog’s
skin. If you’re worried that you might accidentally
cut your pet, you can hire an expert to do it. A
groomer or vet will be able to extract the mat if
you do not own the proper clippers. This type of
service is usually provided for a very small cost.
USE A SOFT SLICKER ON SENSITIVE
7 AREAS
You should use a soft slicker to brush the
dog’s hair on any section that may be sensitive
such as the ruff which is the longer hair around
the neck area. It’s a good idea to brush the hair
against the lay of the hair but in some instances
it’s better to brush with the lay of the hair. The
slicker brush can get full quite fast when your dog
is shedding. You can separate the fur from the
slicker and throw it away using a comb. Be extra
picky in case your dog has a ruff, or an extra long
or dense double coat; use an undercoat rake or
a comb in those areas. Before brushing the hair
back to its desired position, comb through it.
Now you are ready to start grooming your dog
on your own. Some dogs love grooming, other
dogs can’t stand it at all. If you have a dog who
falls into the latter category, it may make sense
to hire a professional dog groomer to do the job.
Whatever you decide, you and your pup will be
much happier once it is done.
DOG ownership 101 | MAY / JUNE 2016
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