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Brushing
An essential part of owning a dog!

Place your dog on a table with a non-slip surface, (a bath mat works). Make sure to never leave the dog unattended. With the long-coated breeds, brush the dog in layers with a fine pin brush. Make sure to get all the knots and matts out. Use a fine toothed comb to see that all the knots are out of the coat before putting the dog into the tub. If you don't, these knots or matts will shrink and become worse, and then possibly have to be shaved out. If there are matts on the skin, take your dog to a professional groomer to have them clipped out. If these matts are not taken out, they can cause skin irritation and rashes on your dog. DO NOT try to cut out a matt that is on the skin with scissors; you might cut your dog.

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Toenail Clipping
A Must!!!

Start at the back of your dog. Place the paw in your hand, separate the nails with your fingers. With a good pair of nail clippers, one with a guard on them, cut the tip of the nail. The nails should not be longer than the dog's pads. Have some Kwik Klot handy in case you cut too short and cut the dog's kwik. Place a small amount of Kwik Klot on the nail and hold it there until the bleeding stops. If the nails are left and not cut, the Kwik will grow with the nail and this will cause discomfort for your dog when he's walking. We can do it for you for $7.00 to $15.00 depending on your pet's temperament. Remember cats need their nails cut too.

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Ears

Clean your dogs ears with a cotton ball diluted with ear cleaner. Do not use a Q-tip! You can puncture your dogs eardrum. Make sure to get all the dirt out.

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Bath Time

Use a good quality shampoo and conditioner. I use Nature's Specialty products. Talk to your groomer, they'll know what't best for your dogs skin and coat. Start by wetting down your dog completely. Start at the head, put a small amount of shampoo and lather it well. Do not put any shampoo in the eyes. Now, shampoo the rest of the body well. Make sure not to miss any spots and lather it up well. Rinse the dog till you no longer see any shampoo. Put the conditioner on the body only. Do not put any on the head or ears. Rinse the dog thoroughly. Make sure to rinse all the conditioner out. Towel dry and then blow dry, brushing the dogs hair in layers. Remember never bath a long haired dog without brushing him first and making sure there is no matts in him.

Now you have a clean and happy puppy!

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Got a question?

Click here to ask the groomer.