No matter the breed or how long your puppy’s coat is, that a groom is a very important task. Caring for nails and fur, and making sure they have good hygiene is key to their overall health and well-being.
How to bathe a puppy
The frequency of the baths will vary according to the texture of the coat. Very short hair should be washed only if it is dirty, short-haired puppies should bathe twice a year on average and long-haired puppies should bathe approximately every three months.
If your dog likes to swim, you should rinse the fur later. Particles of sea and river water left in the fur can cause irritation. Rinsing it carefully will prevent this from happening.
Start the bathing process by brushing the fur well to undo knots and tangles. Then, moisten the coat completely and apply the shampoo by foaming. Be careful not to get into the eyes or ears of the dog. You should use warm water along with a special puppy shampoo to avoid irritation or an imbalance in the natural pH of your skin.
Allow it to act for a few minutes and then rinse with plenty of water. It is good to rinse the head at the end, since the dog will probably want to shake it to dry it.
Dry your puppy after a bath
After bathing, dry your puppy vigorously with a towel and keep it in a warm room until it is very dry. In the summer, the alternative is to pat the puppy in the garden or walk it, provided he does not like to roll in the mud. A hair dryer can be used if the dog does not bother you, but be careful not to burn it and you should brush it while you dry it.
Instructions to clean your puppy’s fur tar
It is important to keep in mind that if the dog has tar in its fur, you should not use oil-based cleaning products as they are highly toxic. Apply vegetable oil on the affected areas, wait a few minutes for the tar to dissolve and then bathe the dog.
Cut a puppy’s nails
Dogs have two types of nails, spurs and toenails, which are constantly growing. Toenails should wear naturally, but if they grow a lot, they must be cut.
All puppies need proper nail care. In general, puppies do not need to have their nails trimmed, but if you hear the noise the nails make on the ground, you can cut them. Ask the vet to show you the best techniques.
Brush and comb your puppy
As in people, the dog’s coat grows and dies. Dogs outside are stripped of their fur twice a year (spring and autumn) that correspond to changes in daylight. Indoor dogs are not so affected by changes in light, so they lose fur throughout the year, with two periods in which this increases in spring and autumn. Frequent brushing and bathing help eliminate loose fur. The frequency and type of equipment you have to use varies depending on the nature of the coat.
- Brush puppies with very short fur
Although very short fur does not require such a frequent cleaning, it is necessary to brush it from time to time. To loosen dead skin and fur, you should brush in the opposite direction of fur growth with a quality dog brush. Then, you can remove the residues with a bristle brush in the direction of fur growth throughout the body. Finally, leave the shiny coat with a damp suede.
- Puppy grooming with short or medium hair
These dogs should be brushed more frequently, at least once a week, due to the density of their fur, which is composed of a sublayer and an upper layer. Use a barbed brush and comb against the growth of the fur, to loosen as much dead hair and skin as possible and peel the sublayer. Then, you can use a bristle brush to comb in the direction of fur growth and remove debris.
A wide-toothed comb can be used on the tail and legs. The fur of hard-haired dogs should be removed four to five times a year, with a stripping blade and thumb. This is not at all painful if done in the right way, in the direction of hair growth.
- Brushing puppies with long hair
Although they are beautiful, long coatings require daily brushing. This may take up to an hour a day in the case of Afghan hounds, for example. Use a barbed brush and comb in the direction of fur growth, to loosen knots and tangles. Because the coat is long, combing it can pull the skin, so care must be taken to avoid hurting the puppy.
The use of a bristle brush on dogs with silky fur, such as Yorkshire terriers and Afghan hounds, will add shine to the fur.
A wire brush can be used to remove impurities from dog’s fur with an abundant sublayer, such as long-haired collies.
A wide tooth comb can be used to detangle the hair behind the hocks.
All cleaning tools should be cleaned and stored in a dry place after each use. To prevent the wire brushes from rusting, clean them well and rub them with a cloth soaked in vegetable oil.
Puppy oral care
Dogs do not like to have their mouths manipulated, so it is a good strategy to accustom the puppy to this at an early age.
The gums should be pink. The redness around the teeth is a sign of inflammation and disease, which can cause loss of appetite if it is painful or if the dog cannot hold or chew its food. In this case, the veterinarian must examine the dog’s teeth.
How to brush a puppy’s teeth
The best way to take care of your puppy’s teeth is to brush it several times a week with a toothbrush and toothpaste designed specifically for dogs.
Another alternative is the bite bars that slow the formation of plaque and tartar by mechanically acting on the teeth when the dog chews. Ideally, you should give the dog two or three of these chewing bars per week to help prevent plaque and tartar buildup. Ask your veterinary team which type is best for your dog.
How to clean your puppy’s ears
Dogs wear their ears in two ways: dropped or raised. Dropped ears should be examined more frequently because the ear canal is less ventilated.
The ears can be cleaned under the advice of a veterinarian, with a specially formulated solution. Place the tip of the applicator in the ear canal and gently drop 1 to 2 drops. Remove the tip and gently massage the base of the ear for thirty seconds, preventing the dog from shaking its head before cleaning the earmuff with cotton.
How to keep your puppy’s eyes clean
Dirt in puppy’s eye may harm for a good sleep of your dog. The eyes should be bright and moist, with pale pink mucous membranes. It is important to clean the puppy’s eyes of any secretion, but there will always be a certain amount of tear stains whenever there is hair around the eyes. Tear stains arise because the hair absorbs the moisture produced by the eyes.
Dirt or mud and tear stains around the eyes can be gently removed with cotton and clean, warm water.
Whether you plan to take your dog to a hairdresser as an adult or not, familiarizing him with grooming and hygiene routines from an early age will ensure that he gets used to being manipulated and will avoid any anguish he may suffer when they do so.