Things You'll Need
- Dog shampoo
- Dog conditioner
- Spray-on conditioner
- Towel
- Dog brush
- Pin brush
- Long-toothed comb
- Fine-toothed comb
- Nail clippers
- Blunt-nosed scissors
- Cotton balls
- Ear cleaner
- Dog toothbrush
- Dog toothpaste
Instructions
Work out any mats and tangles with your fingers, a pin brush or a long-toothed comb prior to bathing.
Bathe the dog in warm water with shampoo formulated for dogs. Don't use shampoo for humans as the Ph is different and is bad for a dog's coat.
Rinse the dog thoroughly with warm water to remove all shampoo residue.
Condition the dog's coat with dog conditioner. Leave the conditioner in for two or three minutes, then rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Pat the dog dry with a soft, absorbent towel. Don't rub the coat as this can cause it to tangle.
Use a fine-toothed comb to remove any debris from under the dog's eyes.
Spray the dog with leave-in conditioner to help repel dirt.
Brush the dog thoroughly after bathing. Use a pin brush to groom its ears.
Trim excess hair from around the dog's anus, under the pads of the feet and around the ears. Trim away about a third of the ear hair so it won't weigh down the dog's ears.
Use ear cleaner and cotton balls to remove any debris from inside the dog's ears. Follow the instructions on the ear cleaner's label. Ear cleaning products are available at pet supply shops or from your veterinarian.
Trim the dog's nails. Use care that you don't cut the bloodline in the nails, which will cause pain and bleeding. In light-colored nails the bloodline is a pink line down the center of the base of the nail and is easy to see. In dark nails it isn't visible, so trim lightly if in doubt. If you are unsure how to safely trim your dog's nails, have your veterinarian trim them or ask him to show you how it's done.
Brush the dog's teeth with toothpaste made for dogs. Dog toothpaste and toothbrushes are available at pet shops.