Things You'll Need
- Soft rag
- Mild or hypoallergenic dog shampoo (optional)
Instructions
Wet your rag with warm water. If your dog's whiskers are really dirty, you may want to use a shampoo as well as water.
Make your dog sit and reward it with a treat. Teach your dog to associate whisker cleaning with things it loves, like treats and attention. Maintain a calm demeanor and avoid overwhelming your dog with other grooming. Stick to the whiskers for now and add nail trimming and brushing on other occasions.
Sit beside your dog and hold the dampened rag out for your dog to sniff, asking it "What's this?" in an upbeat voice. Reward your dog with a treat for remaining seated and calm. Allow your dog to whisk its whiskers across the surface of the rag to become familiar with its texture.
Touch the ends of the whiskers to gauge your dog's reaction. Remember, a dog's whiskers are highly sensitive. Reward your dog for remaining calm and seated. Gently wipe from the base of the whiskers to the tip.