Brushing off this pain

When spring comes around, dogs start to shed their coats. Normal brushing and grooming can save your little black dress and allow you to spot any fleas and ticks the warm weather might bring.

Grooming doesn’t have to be hard but it can take a while to get your dog used to it. Some tips include using a fine-toothed comb or rake, depending on your dogs length of hair. Remember, even short-haired dogs shed as well. Personally, I find rakes to be better, but you need to find one that’s not too sharp. Your vet should be able to make a recommendation on one they prefer.

The hard part is getting your dog to like it. Who likes lying down and having someone pull tangles out from all over your body? So it’s best to start young but, contrary to belief, old dogs can learn new tricks!

Daily grooming is good but dogs need baths as well. You can do this at home using dog shampoo in your tub, but if you don’t want to wrestle your pooch in the bathroom, finding a groomer might be easier. It’s important to find a good groomer, this site has some good tips and guidelines.