Page 304 - The Complete Dog Breed Book Choose the Perfect Dog for You, New Edition (DK)

304 C ARE AND TR AINING

GROOMING

Both dog and owner alike should find grooming an enjoyable
experience. The contact encourages a strong bond to develop
and is beneficial to your dog. Not only do dogs find being
groomed relaxing, but it is also good for their skin and coat.
You can check your dog for lumps and bumps, parasites, and
minor injuries, too, while you brush him. A dog’s coat needs regular
grooming—more frequently
if it is a show dog

Learning to be groomed No matter what type of coat your dog has, spend time
Grooming is really an extended period of handling. It should each day practicing grooming and getting him used to the
not be difficult if you have taken the time to teach your dog sensation. With a new dog, make grooming sessions very
to accept being restrained. Approach grooming as a training short and always reward him for standing still. Speak to him
session. Place a towel on the floor and encourage your dog in a calm, reassuring tone and avoid tugging on tangles or
to stand still on it, in return for a treat. Calmly stroke and knots, which may hurt him. Gradually increase the length
praise him, but do not allow him to become overexcited. of time you require him to stand still. Be firm from the start.
Introduce your dog to each piece of grooming equipment If he tries to bite the brush, do not let him turn the session
that you will be using regularly. Let him sniff each brush, but into a game. Instead, gently turn his head away from the
do not allow him to chew it. Restrain him gently and move brush. He should remain standing, unless you ask him to sit
the brush through the coat on his back without pressing too or lie down so that you can reach another part of his coat.
hard. After a few strokes of the brush, stop and reward him Once he is used to standing still on the towel for an extended
with praise and a treat. period of time, you can start a proper grooming routine.

DETANGLING CLIPPING NAILS
Some coat types, such as the silky coat of the Dogs that do not regularly walk on hard
Yorkshire Terrier, are particularly prone to surfaces or that have long hair around
tangles. Silky coats need regular grooming their paws need their nails clipped regularly.
to manage any small knots so that they do Remove the pointed tip of the nail only
not form uncomfortable mats. and be careful to avoid cutting the quick.

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