When it comes to grooming, there are six main stages that you will need to go through in order to ensure that your dog is clean and looking their best. These six stages are as follows:
1. Brushing – This is the first and arguably most important stage of grooming as it helps to remove any dirt, debris or knots from your dog’s coat. It is important to brush your dog’s coat regularly (at least once a week) using a suitable brush for their fur type.
2. Bathing – This stage involves giving your dog a good wash using a quality shampoo and conditioner designed specifically for dogs. How often you need to bathe your dog will depend on their individual needs, but generally speaking, they should be bathed around once every month or so.
3. Ear Cleaning – Dirty ears can lead to all sorts of problems, including infections, so it’s important to keep them clean! You can purchase ear cleansing solution from most pet stores and use this (along with cotton balls) to gently clean your dog’s ears on a weekly basis.
4. Nail Trimming – Overgrown nails can cause pain and discomfort for your dog, so it’s important to keep them trimmed on a regular basis. You can either do this yourself at home or take them to a professional groomer who will be able to do it quickly and efficiently.
5. Anal Gland Expression – Most dogs have two anal glands located just inside their anus which produce a foul-smelling liquid used for marking territory. These glands need to be expressed (emptied) on a regular basis in order for your dog to stay healthy and comfortable; this is usually something that a professional groomer will do during each visit.