Grooming – What brush to use?(1)

Grooming plays a big part in owning a dog. From brushing and bathing them, to going to a salon to be professionally clipped. The next few installments of my puppy behaviour series will be covering some of the basics of grooming.

Brushing is very important as it removes dead hair and dirt; this keeps the skin and coat healthy. Tangled hair does not allow the skin to breathe; this itself can cause skin irritations and infections. It also increases your bond with your pup, by spending time together and building trust between you both.

Another good thing is that there is scientific evidence that brushing your pet reduces your stress levels and lowers your blood pressure. It also gives you a good chance to check their general health by looking at their eyes, nails and teeth. By doing this regularly, you learn what your dogs body is like and will pick up any issues, such as lumps, cuts and tenderness, quickly.

The main question we get asked is when to start brushing your puppy. In short, the answer is as soon as you get them. Brushing should be part of a daily routine, and the earlier you start doing this, the easier it is for them to get used to it. They can start being groomed from 3 weeks of age. It also allows them to become accustomed to handling. This means you can check them over with ease and makes vet examinations a lot less stressful for all involved, including your puppy.

There are many brushes and combs on the market, how do you know which one to use for your dog? You must choose a brush that is suitable for yours puppy’s size and breed. The biggest mistake most people make is that they only brush the top coat. This allows the undercoat to matt close to the skin, which can be uncomfortable as they pull the skin. These get tighter and bigger the longer they are left and can become smelly and cause skin infections.

A puppy’s coat is different to that of an adult dog. It is much softer, fluffier and shorter. Use a soft brush on this fur, even if it does not need brushing, to set them up for future grooming.

 

 

grooming11. Slicker Brush

These remove loose hair and dirt. They also maintain and condition the coat. They have fine, short wires close together on a flat surface. The angled pins avoid the skin while still going through the coat. Their use is to remove matts and tangles from short- medium haired or curly haired breeds. There are many varieties on the market, so ensure the one you choose is the correct size for your puppy. Be gentle when using these, as the fine, tightly spaced wires can cause discomfort if too much pressure is used.

grooming22. Rubber Brush

These are good for massaging the skin and removing dead hair

 

 

grooming3 - Copy3. Undercoat Rake

These help break up matt’s and tangles and help remove loose fur from the undercoat, while leaving a healthy topcoat. They penetrate a thick coat. Use with minimal pressure. When choosing a undercoat rake, ensure the pins match your dogs hair length. A short rake will miss the inner layers on the undercoat, while too long could irritate your dogs skin.

grooming4 - Copy4. Wide-toothed comb

These are good for removing matts and tangles.

 

 

 

 

grooming5 - Copy5. Grooming Mitt

Removes dirt, dust and dead hair. This is used for shorter coats.

 

 

grooming6 - Copy6. Bristle Brush

These are the most versatile and can be used on any type of coat. Different brushes have different spacing between the bristles to accommodate the type of hair. Short, close together bristles work best for short hair, while wider apart, longer bristles work well for longer hair. The bristles should be stiffer for rough and course hair. These are for brushing the top coat and removing dirt and loose hair and stimulating the skin.

grooming7 - Copy7. Pinhead brush

These tend to be longer than bristle brushes, which work very well on medium to long hair dogs. They are available with rubber tips at the end of each pin for added comfort. These are for brushing of the top coat and removing dirt but not useful for removing lots of loose hair.

grooming8 - Copy8. Stripping comb

These are made to help make it easier to grasp hair, and the teeth are designed to do a little light cutting as they pull. They trim out the undercoat and dead hair. These are used on specific coats and are very sharp, so be careful if you use them.

Now we are aware of what brushes are out there, we need to determine what coat your puppy has and therefore what brush is needed to keep their coat in a healthy condition.

Some of the brushes on the market have specific uses. We will go through some of these first and then determine what brushes is best used on what coat type.


Post time: Dec-18-2019
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