Dogs are men’s best friends, and they give all the love we could ask for and more. It is said that in the United States alone, more than 85 million people have these loving animals as a pet. Having a pet is a huge responsibility and you need to take care of your puppy if you want them to have a good, long and happy life, and if you want to show them you love them as much as they adore you. Grooming is one of the most important things when we are talking about caring for your furry friend, and you need to do it right, and you need to do it regularly. When you groom your puppy, you will make it look better, it will feel better, and in addition to this, you will be making sure that their health is kept. If you don’t wash, clean, and clip the nails of your puppy, you risk them getting hurt, or contracting a serious disease. Even though the basics of this process are really similar for every breed, there is a slight difference when it comes to long-haired dogs.
There are a lot of breeds that have long hair, and just because it is not more than a few inches long, it does not mean the dog does not qualify as one with long fur. Some of the breeds that need special care and maintenance include Akita, the Eskimo breed, Bernese, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, English Setter, and many more. If you are not sure if your puppy’s breed qualifies as one with long hair, then you should first do your research and make sure you are giving them the best care in the world. In this 2024 guide, we are going to give you some tips and tricks on how to finish the whole process of cleaning, brushing, and bathing your furry friend, while you take special care of their type of fur and their needs. Continue reading if you want to learn a thing or two that will make your life easier, and their life better.
1. Brush their hair
The first rule of grooming puppies with a lot of furs is that you need to prevent the matting and keep their fur shiny and pretty. In addition to this, you will be able to reduce the shedding, and you won’t have to clean everything that your puppy sits or leans on.
Depending on the specific breed, you need to do this at least once a week, but it is preferable to do it at least every other day. If your dog does not want to sit still while you are doing it, you should find a different brush, and make the whole thing like it is a game and not something they have to sit through. Note that if they don’t want you to brush their fur now, you should never pressure them into it, or do it by force.
According to We Love Doodles, when using the right brush, you will be able to detangle the hair, remove any loose furs, and you will also clean any debris that might’ve stuck in between the hairs. Note that there are a lot of different brushes on the market, so you should make sure you get the right one depending on the breed, and the needs of your puppy.
2. Check their skin
When you need to groom the furs of a puppy with short hair, you can easily pay attention to their skin and everything that’s going on. Even if you don’t groom them as often, you can notice any difference or patches in their skin. However, when it comes to long fur, you won’t be able to notice an issue unless you inspect every inch.
Because of this, whenever you have the chance to check your puppy’s skin you should do it. Make sure you use the right type of products when bathing them, and if you notice a change in their behavior, such as constant scratching you should see what the issue is. Try to notice if they have dandruff, or if their fur starts to shed more than normal. All these slight changes can be the first sign of an allergy, skin, or health condition.
3. Bathing
Animals are not like humans and they don’t need a shower every day, or a full bath at least once per week. If you do this, even if you bathe them every other week, you risk damaging their fur and stripping their natural oils.
Depending on the breed, you should bathe them several times per year, to prevent all the unpleasant smell, and to keep them in good health. Experts suggest that if you bathe them during the cold months, you need to make sure they stay in your home for at least two or three days after the bath. That way you won’t risk them catching a cold. Use lukewarm water, and a special shampoo to bathe them. You should never use your own shampoo or bathing products because their pH level is different than ours.
Try to steer away from their ears, nose, and mouth, and take your time cleaning all the hairs on your furry friend. Make sure you rinse the shampoo fully and use a soft towel to dry them out. If you are bathing them in the winter, then you can also dry their fur with a blow dryer, but you should always use the coolest setting, and never blast too much air into them. Depending on your puppy, they may not be too happy about this, so you will need to teach them that the blow dryer is not something they should be scared of.
If you want to keep your dog in a good health, you should always check their ears, clean them regularly, and don’t forget about clipping the nails. Have patience, always be extremely careful, and if you are unsure how you should do things, you can always contact a professional grooming service.
Doing these things will eliminate any unpleasant odor, you will keep the health of your pet, and you will make sure they are happy. Be gentle, never force them into doing something, and don’t threaten them with a bath if they are not behaving.
