- Brush – to detangle matted and knotted hair before the bath
- Water – in a tub, basin or bath, depending on your puppy’s size
- Washcloth – to gently clean the head area
- Cotton balls – to prevent water getting in the ears
- Shampoo – choose one specifically for dogs and preferably hypoallergenic
- Conditioner – choose one specifically for dogs and preferably hypoallergenic
- Towel – to dry off excess water before puppy has a chance to shake it off
- Blow-dryer – for dogs with very long coats (do not use the ‘hot’ setting)
- Treats – to reward calm and cooperative behaviour
- Brush – with short or long bristles, suitable for you
puppy’s coat type and length
- Comb – for medium to long-haired coats
- Grooming glove – a soft glove can be used instead of a brush for very short haired
breeds
- Scissors – blunt-nosed safety scissors are best
- Clippers – an alternative to scissors
- Treats – to reward calm and cooperative behaviour
- Step
1: Play first - Tire your dog out by playing or running with him.
- Step
2: Wipe - Wipe down your dog’s eyes, cleaning out any gunk and getting the fur cleaned as well.
- Step
3: Brush -
Groom your dog with a good undercoat removing brush to get as much of your dog’s coat out of his
fur.
- Step
4: Harness dog -
To keep your dog safe, harness him to a grooming table or stronghold to keep his head still and the
dog from leaping off the table.
- Step
5: Comb -
Comb the fur above your dog’s eyes upward. Comb the hair along the sides of the eyes outward.
- Step
6:
Trim -
Clip each area by resting small thinning shears against your dog’s head or face.
- Step
7:
Patience -
Have patience with yourself as well as with your dog.
- Use a specially designed dog toothbrush or a recommended
alternative.
- Never use human toothpaste. Instead, use pet-safe toothpaste with a flavor favorable to your dog’s
taste buds.
- Give your dog a small sample of the toothpaste to introduce the taste.
- Lift the lip to expose the outside surfaces of your dog’s gums and teeth.
- Brush with gentle motions to clean the teeth and gums, as you would your own.
- Clean the outside (cheek-facing) surfaces, as most pets will not allow you to brush the inside
surface of the teeth.
- Be sure to reach the back upper molars and canines, as these teeth tend to quickly build up tartar.
It is important to check your puppy’s feet regularly for
any wounds, infections or foreign objects that have become lodged in them. Carefully trim any excess
hair in between the footpads and remove any trapped objects such as grass seeds or burrs, pebbles,
small bits of broken glass or other debris. Remove any splinters or debris gently with tweezers. To
avoid painful matting of the hair between the toes, comb and trim the hair so that it is even with
the pads.
- Dog grooming equipment for puppy’s paws:
- Small comb
- Blunt-nosed safety scissors
- Antibacterial wash for small cuts or minor burns (for more serious wounds, visit your vet)
- Moisturiser for dry or cracked footpads, if recommended by your vet (not one for humans)
Once your puppy starts walking on pavements, his nails will
be trimmed naturally by
walking on the hard surface. Regularly check the condition and length of his nails, including any
‘thumb’ nails, also known as ‘Dew claws’, higher up on the front and back feet. If they need further
trimming, we suggest you take your puppy to your vet or groomer, who can do the job for you or show
you how to do it safely. Once you know how, if the nails are too long you can carefully trim a small
amount off the tip. Be mindful that if the nails are trimmed too short, they can bleed and cause
pain.
Dog grooming equipment for puppy’s nails:
- Nail clippers – get advice from the vet or dog groomer on what type to use
- Nail file – to smooth rough nail edges