Grooming your dog can be a lengthy task, but a rewarding one too. We all know that dogs need to be brushed to keep their fur clean and knot-free and long-haired dogs benefit from being brushed every day. Shorter haired dogs will suffice with two or three times a week.

Brushing gives your dog the “feel good factor” and spreads oils in his fur to keep him looking great. It is not cheap or easy to take your dog to the Dog Beauty Parlour every week, so purchasing your own dog grooming table saves you both time and money. Not only that, but it also helps if you have a wriggly dog as you can secure him safely to the grooming table and are not constantly bending down and getting back ache !!

Leaving your dog’s coat to get matted can lead to nasty skin infections and also hide mites so a regular grooming routine is a must . Invest in a good dog brush and human hair brushes are not very on dog hair. Remember to brush the hair – not the skin.

Invest in a grooming table when dog is a puppy to get him used to it and he will soon look forward to the pampering session. It also creates a strong bond between you and your dog.

If you decide to give your dog a hair cut then I suggest you get some advise from a professional first or you could regret it !!

Every so often you will want to bathe your dog – especially if he has been out in the mud !!Once a month is good guideline under normal circumstances but a very active dog can be bathed more often. Always make sure you use the right shampoo and use lukewarm water. Start at the back end and tail and work you way forward. It is safer to use a cloth on the head to avoid the ears and eyes.

Putting a mat or towel in the bath is a good idea to prevent your dog from slipping and sliding. Try to keep water out of their ears and eyes but if you do get water in their ears, use an ear-cleansing solution made for dogs – no cotton buds or anything of that sort poked down as you can do permanent damage !!

A good professional hairdryer for pets is a good idea but failing that make sure he is well towel dried before letting him out in cold weather.

If your dog has long nails he will feel uncomfortable and it could lead to joint and back problems. You need to learn how to clip his nails safely and a good idea is to learn from a professional. Again, it is better if you can start when your dog is a puppy to get him used to the experience. If at all unsure, let your vet or grooming parlour do it for you because cutting too close can cause much pain and a lot of blood loss which is a frightening experience for both you and your dog.

Here at ideas-4-pets we have a good selection of grooming tables and dryers to suit all pockets and if you really want to “splash out” we have an electric bath to take the strain out of bathing your dog.