Dog Grooming For Dummies

Handle grooming yourself to save money and bond with your
dog

Brush, bathe, and clip your dog like a pro!

Whether your dog is destined for a career in the show ring or a
spot on the living room couch, good grooming is important. This
friendly guide shows you how to develop a grooming routine that
will keep your dog clean - and strengthen the bond between you. It
includes detailed, step-by-step grooming instructions for all types
of coats.

Discover how to

• Train your dog for grooming

• Care for nails, teeth, and ears

• Use clippers and scissors

• Groom specific types of coats

• Prepare a dog for the show ring

Auteur

Margaret H. Bonham is an award-winning dog writer, a veteran dog trainer, and an experienced dog groomer. The author of The Complete Guide to Mutts and Having Fun with Agility, she lives with 17 dogs and one cat.

Résumé
Handle grooming yourself to save money and bond with your dog Brush, bathe, and clip your dog like a pro!

Whether your dog is destined for a career in the show ring or a spot on the living room couch, good grooming is important. This friendly guide shows you how to develop a grooming routine that will keep your dog clean - and strengthen the bond between you. It includes detailed, step-by-step grooming instructions for all types of coats.

Discover how to

• Train your dog for grooming
• Care for nails, teeth, and ears
• Use clippers and scissors
• Groom specific types of coats
• Prepare a dog for the show ring

Contenu

Introduction 1

About This Book 1

Conventions Used in This Book 2

What You’re Not to Read 3

Foolish Assumptions 3

How This Book Is Organized 4

Part I: Getting Started 4

Part II: Making Your Dog Look Good: The Basics 4

Part III: Grooming by Coat Type: Beyond the Basics 4

Part IV: Grooming Specialties 5

Part V: The Part of Tens 5

Icons Used in This Book 5

Where to Go from Here 6

Part I: Getting Started 7

Chapter 1: What Good Grooming is All About 9

Big Hairy Deal: Discovering Why Grooming Is Important 9

Sociability 10

Presenting a positive public image 10

Eliminating the spread of dirt and disease 10

Determining whether something’s really wrong with your dog internally 11

Considering the Necessary Investment 11

The cost in money 12

The cost in time 12

The added investment: Grooming for show 13

Familiarizing Yourself with Your Dog’s Coat 14

Coat types: Single versus double 14

Coat textures 16

Coat length 16

Coat color 17

Having the Proper Tools on Hand 17

Coaching Your Canine to Be Groomed 18

Taking Note: Keeping a Grooming Diary 18

Knowing When to Call a Pro 20

Considering the cost 20

Looking for a professional groomer 21

Screening the professional groomer 22

Becoming a Pro Yourself 24

Chapter 2: Inside and Out: What Affects a Dog’s Coat and Grooming 25

Anatomy of the Dog: The Hipbone’s Connected to the 25

Head 27

Neck and shoulders 28

Back and chest 29

Forelegs and hind legs 30

Rear and tail 31

Considering Factors That Influence a Dog’s Appearance 32

Genetics 32

Haircoat 34

Health 35

Exercise 35

Diet 37

Exploring the Importance of Nutrition 37

Providing a balanced diet 38

Feeding for a beautiful coat 39

Supplementing your dog’s diet for a healthy coat 40

Chapter 3: Prepping for the Prettying 41

Gearing Up 41

Taking stock in what you have 42

Gathering the essential equipment 43

Stocking up on important routine supplies 49

Adding optional equipment and supplies 51

Where’s the flea and tick stuff? 53

Purchasing Your Supplies 54

From the grocery store 54

From big-box retailers 55

From big-box pet supply stores 55

From très chic pet boutiques 56

From groomer-supply stores and catalogs 56

From dog shows 57

Online 58

Setting Aside a Grooming Space 58

A groom room of your own 59

The bathroom 60

The great outdoors 60

Dog washes: Options for grooming when you have no space 61

Organizing Your Accoutrements 61

Chapter 4: Training Your Dog for Grooming 63

Refining Your Dog’s Grooming Manners 63

Using positive reinforcement to train your dog 64

Showing your dog how to enjoy grooming procedures 65

Handling sensitive puppy feet 66

Manipulating your dog’s mouth 68

Convincing your dog to accept eye contact 69

Getting Your Dog to Help You Reach the Right Places 70

Helping your dog onto the grooming table 71

Teaching Sit 72

Teaching your dog to lie on his side 73

Teaching her Stay 75

Establishing a Grooming Routine 76

Dealing with Difficult Dogs 76

Handling an uncooperative dog 77

Considering muzzling versus medication 79

Restraining a difficult dog 81 **Part II: Making Your ...