Dog Grooming Tips - 5 Things You'd Better Know

So you've decided to go the home dog grooming route in order to save bucks, right? Well, you'll need some good dog grooming tips before you even go near your dog with a pair of clippers or scissors! While dog grooming looks easy, there are some serious pitfalls you need to avoid so that your dog doesn't end up with a bloody paw because you clipped his nail too low. I'll show you the right equipment to use and share 5 dog grooming tips so that your dog is groomed safely and comes out looking pristine.

Dog Grooming Tips: #1 - Equipment

For the absolute best results, you need the right equipment. In fact, use the same equipment the professionals use. Some of these tools should be used on smooth coat dogs. And some should be used on long coat dogs.

Slicker Brush - The slicker brush is used on long coat dogs. It's designed to prevent matting and remove tangles.

Bristle Brush - The bristle brush is used on both type dogs. This brush is coarse and is used to remove finer foreign matter off your dog's coat.

Pin Brush - The pin brush is used for long-haired dogs to remove tangles.

Stainless Steel Brush - Stainless steel brushes are great because they don't rust. They also last a long time. They also come in a variety of sizes and lengths.

Stainless Steel Scissors - Scissors are used for those hard to reach areas. Buy safety tip scissors if you're trimming in sensitive places or if you have a dog that fidgets.

Dog Clippers - Specialized clippers have an advantage over barber clippers in that specialized clippers have snap-on attachments which allow for accurate length.

Rubber Brush - this brush is best used for short-haired dogs. You use it against the dog's hide.

Stripping Knives - this instrument is used on dogs with wiry coats. Wire haired dogs need their coats stripped every few months. Go in the direction of your dog's grain when using the stripping knife.

Dog Grooming Tips: #2 Nail Clipping

Buy a solid pair of clippers. Flimsy ones will only break after a few uses. When clipping your dog's nails, pay attention to the coloring of his nails. You'll notice that at some point, the nail turns pink. That's called the "live" part of the toe nail. Never clip past that part of the nail, or your dog will bleed.

Dog Grooming Tips: #3 Smooth Coats

When grooming smooth coat dogs, use a rubber brush and bristle brush. Always brush against the dog's grain. Use the rubber brush to remove large foreign matter from your dog's hair. Then us the bristle brush to remove finer particles of hair and dirt. Then use the chamois to polish the dog's coat and give it a glossy sheen.

Dog Grooming Tips: #4 Long Coats

Long coats require grooming twice a week or their hair will matt. Use a slicker brush, bristle brush and steel wide tooth comb. Use the slicker brush daily to ensure the coat doesn't get tangled and matted.

Then use the pin brush, which penetrates the hairs more deeply. Make sure you untangle your dog's hair underneath his legs. Most people neglect that part.

Finally, use the wide-tooth comb to take out any left-over tangles. You can also use a finer tooth comb to give him a glossy finish.