Tips for Brushing your Pet at Home

 Brushing and combing a dog can be a tedious task for pet owners. Often times the dog doesn't like it or wiggles around too much. There are steps you can take to make this an easier, more pleasant task for all involved.

 It is important to have the correct tools. For short haired dogs, such as Dobermans or Beagles a rubber curry brush, boar bristle brush and a de-shedding tool, such as a Furminator, work well. Slicker brushes and greyhound combs are used on furry dogs such as Golden Retrievers and dogs with long coats like Shih Tzus.

 One way to help get a dog to behave for brushing is to make it a routine. It's important to have an area designated for the task. Trying to brush your dog while sitting on the couch watching TV can be confusing for a pet. Normally that is where they relax or play. A better approach is to always brush them in a specific area. For smaller dogs the top of the washer or dryer work well. It's a comfortable height for the pet owner and if the dog is used to going to a groomer it's very similar to being on a grooming table. For larger dogs a specific place on a porch or in a garage will work. Take your pet to that same area every time you brush them. Eventually they will learn that when in that area it is time to settle down and be brushed.

 At first, this may not be easy. Make it a happy and enjoyable time for your pet. When they are behaving praise them. Sometimes it's best to stick with the word “no,” or not to say anything at all when they are being difficult and use words and inflection of praise when they are being good. One thing that is very important is to only stop brushing or combing when the dog is behaving. If you stop when they are being difficult they've just learned that whatever they are doing worked because it made you stop. Always end the process on a positive note. Treats can come in handy here. I recommend waiting until the end of the task to give a treat so that pets have something to look forward to and that signals they are finished. This encourages them to be good, enjoy the praise while being worked on, and know when they are free to go.

 In the beginning it is best to have frequent but short sessions, perhaps three to five minutes a day. Once your dog is trained you can lengthen the session and decrease the frequency. For the majority of breeds brushing once or twice a week is enough, but for those with long hair such as Yorkshire Terriers or Lhasa Apsos in full coat daily brushing or combing may be necessary.

 Lara Latshaw is Chief Grooming Officer for HydroDog, the premier mobile pet grooming service and franchise. For more than 13 years, she has groomed and worked with animals professionally. She is certified in Pet First Aid and CPR, is a National Certified Master Groomer, and is an award-winning competition groomer. You can learn more about HydroDog at http://hydrodog.com or join the conversation on Facebook. You can reach Lara by email at lara@hydrodog.com.