Do you want your dog to look good at all times? Have you never plucked up the courage to groom your dog? We often think that our fur ball hates the grooming session and that we have to go to a dog groomer at all costs to give him a beautiful coat. But it’s not! Even if the professional world is full of talented groomers who are only too happy to pamper your pooch, you can still carry out the basic steps involved in caring for your dog’s coat at home. Biogance tells you all about it!

Why groom your dog?

For hygiene reasons

Your dog’s coat lives as he does! It collects dirt, dust, impurities, pollution particles… Not to mention dust mites and other pests that can find comfort on the little island of paradise that is your companion’s fur.

It’s a good idea to bathe your dog regularly, even if he doesn’t always like the feel of water. You can start with quarterly or fortnightly baths, unless your dog’s coat gets dirty (when out in the mud, for example!).

For your well-being

Knots or twigs in the fur can be very unpleasant for your dog. Worse still is the accumulation of spikelets, which are particularly easy to find on long coats.

Grooming is an essential act of hygiene. It eliminates unpleasant odours, prevents parasites and inspects teeth, ears and claws. Some dogs can even see more clearly! Their long fur obscures their vision to the point where it can be really embarrassing.

And while some dogs hate being brushed or bathed, others appreciate these little moments of pampering by their master. So why deprive yourself?

For a competition or occasion

Of course, if your dog is taking part in a competition or event, you’ll want to show him off to his best advantage, and that’s only natural. If it’s a beauty contest, you probably already have your own tricks up your sleeve.

But if you’re new to dog grooming, here are a few tips to help you set up a routine for caring for your pooch’s coat.

How often should you groom your dog?

It depends on the dog’s coat and its activities. Not all dog breeds have the same grooming needs. For example, long-haired dogs, shedding dogs and curly-haired dogs often need more thorough grooming than shorthaired or short-haired dogs.

Observe your dog and adapt your grooming routine according to how much his coat grows or moults. If he feels self-conscious anywhere, it’s probably time to give him a doggy bath!

How do I groom my dog at home?

If you don’t want to go to a grooming salon, you can arrange to have your dog groomed at home.

Stage 1, hygiene care

Start by brushing all over your pet’s coat to remove the worst of it: dead coats, foreign bodies and dirt. If the knots form real balls of fur that are impossible to untangle, you’ll have to resign yourself to cutting them cleanly so that the fur can grow back properly. Using sufficiently precise scissors, cut the lock, taking care not to injure the skin.

You can move on to cleaning the eyes, especially if your dog cries a lot, as this will rub off on his coat. You can also clean the ears with a suitable product. These areas are particularly sensitive, so take your time and reassure your dog.

Shorten your dog’s nails using a suitable nail clipper, taking care not to touch the pink part inside the nail so as not to cause it to bleed.

Stage 2, the bath

Time for a bath! Depending on how your bathroom is set up and the size of your dog, this stage is more or less easy. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it. Run the water upstream and plunge him in while the water is still running.

Wet your dog’s coat. Apply a natural dog shampoo according to his coat or skin type. Don’t forget to apply the shampoo to all four paws, under the neck and belly and under the tail. As with us humans, it’s best to avoid contact with the eyes! Soap can be pungent and irritating.

Rinse your dog. Repeat once if the water running from the coat is still dark or if you feel the coat is not yet clean enough. Then drain the water and dry the dog in the bath with a dry towel. Don’t hesitate to let your dog snort a little: it’s his way of relaxing and taking charge now that he’s been patient!

If your dog isn’t too scared of it and has long coat, use a hairdryer to speed up the drying process, but make sure the temperature isn’t too hot for him. The easiest way is to use a hairdryer with adjustable power and temperature. If you feel your dog is very anxious, leave his fur to air dry so as not to stress him further.

Step 3, size

If you feel the need, you can trim the length of your dog’s coat slightly. The easiest way to do this is on a dry coat, to get a better idea of the proportions of the hair. You can learn the basics from your groomer, who will be able to show you how to make a hygienic cut with scissors.

The rule to follow is to respect the direction of fur growth. You can start with the neck and gradually go down to the shoulders, then from the throat to the chest. You end with the back and sides. The most delicate part is to come with the paws: a more sensitive part. Pay attention to the ergot and the pads.

What are the vigilance points to keep in mind when grooming your dog?

Respect the nature of your dog’s fur

Dogs that do not shed their hair may be eligible for a chisel or clipper cut. This is often the case with poodles, bichons, barbets, etc.

But be careful! The undercoat of some species must not be sheared or shaved! This is the case with spitz dogs, Samoyeds, sled or husky dogs, shetlands, etc.

You can see it by looking at your dog’s fur: there is a down-like coat on the underside, and a longer coat on the top. This type of undercoat does not particularly like cutting or shearing. It is also counterproductive to want to touch it, because it serves as insulation against both heat and cold.

The moues will occur, depending on the breed of dog, 2 to 4 times a year. The dog then loses many tufts of hair during a given period, because its hair adapts to the season and renews itself.

Apply some helpful tips

• Prepare all your equipment to have a serene moment: brush, comb, scissors, carding, shampoo and detangling. 
• Take breaks if you feel your dog is getting out of control.
• Take advantage of this swim and reset to inspect the condition of your dog’s skin.
• Use products that are suitable for puppies or dogs, so they will not be damaged by odors, textures or ingredients in their formulation.

Choose a professional groomer if you feel the need

If grooming is too complicated for you or your dog, you can just give him a bath if his fur is dirty. If you feel the need for your dog, do not hesitate to regularly make an appointment with a professional dog groomer.

The latter will be able to cut properly thanks to his know-how. Do not hesitate to ask about the groomer’s habits: his reception methods for your animal, the products used, the preferred cuts, etc. Do not hesitate to tell him all the useful information regarding your pet. For example: does he fear certain noises, certain gestures? Is he allergic to anything?

Grooming your pet at home is a great way to save money and spend some quality time with him. For this to happen at best, do not hesitate to accustom your dog as soon as he is a puppy in a positive way. You can use rewards in the form of games or treats to do this. Discover our many Biogance hygiene products to accompany you serenely towards an easy and effective dog grooming naturally!

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