The first step in dog grooming is to teach your dog to accept the attention. Start when your dog is a puppy by handling of all his body parts, so it becomes a normal and fun activity.

Use your hands, a soft brush, or a washcloth to groom a puppy. Always praise your dog as he is being groomed so that it is an enjoyable experience.

Grooming your dog is quite easy to build into your routine, will give you quality time together, help to create bonding and trust, and help to ensure your dog remains healthy and clean.

Brushing
Brushing your dog is one of the most basic and practical steps that you can take to keep your pet clean and healthy. Use a brush that has been made especially for dogs, because it will be the proper design for dog fur and skin. Some other tools you might want to use are a shedding blade, flea comb, rake, or KONG Zoom Groom. In order to prevent dry fur breakage, dampen fur with a little water or conditioner before brushing or combing. Begin by brushing in the direction of hair growth.

If your dog sheds heavily, you may want to change directions once you've worked out all the knots and snarls, and brush your dog's fur in the opposite direction of growth. Do this very gently, as many dogs don't feel comfortable when their hair is being pushed in the wrong direction. This will allow you to brush out loose undercoat.

Finish by brushing your dog's coat back in the right direction again. Don't forget to brush everywhere, paying special attention to the area behind the dog's ears, belly, back legs, and tail. Try to brush at least a few times a week for medium shedders. Heavy shedders may need brushing every day.

Bathing
Bathing your dog isn't very hard, but many dog owners choose to take their dogs to professional groomers. However, if you have the time and resources, there's no reason that you can't bathe your dog yourself. Most dogs can have a bath once a month. Check with your veterinarian to see what he recommends. The bathtub, sink if your dog is small, or weather permitting - a tub in the backyard with the hose.

Many people find that bathing their dogs is a fun and often therapeutic experience. And once your dog is used to it, and knows what to expect, it can be fun for him, too. Make the water slightly warm so your dog feels comfortable. Remember to use a shampoo that is made for dogs, then rinse, rinse, rinse with lots of fresh water. You don't need to wash his face with shampoo. Use a damp washcloth to clean his head, snout and around his eyes.

Put cotton balls inside the ear opening to prevent water from entering the delicate ear canal. Towel him dry. You can also use a blow drier. Don't forget to take the cotton balls out of his ears. More dog ear care information.

Nails
Learning to clip your dog's nails can seem daunting, but it's really not half as bad as you might think as long as you know what you're doing, and you let your dog get used to it gradually.

If you let them grow too long, they will begin to curl under, making it difficult - and sometimes painful - to walk. Moreover, the longer you let the dog's nails grow between clippings, the longer the quick will get, making it more of a challenge. Therefore, it's simply easier to keep them trimmed.

Most dogs will need their toenails trimmed once a month. Puppies toenails grow fast, so make sure they don't get too long. Some dogs get very wiggly, so you may want to have your dog held by someone and you clip or visa versa. Don't forget the dewclaws!

Many people like to use a pet nail grooming tool. If you do choose this method be very careful not to keep grinding on the nail for more than a few seconds, because it will get very hot. Move quickly from one nail to the next.

Teeth
Your dog's teeth are very important for good health, as oral problems can lead to very bad breath, as well as problems with the heart, liver, kidney, and even brain. To brush your dog's teeth, get a dog teeth cleaning kit which includes a dog toothbrush, and special dog toothpaste. Most dogs like the taste of this special toothpaste, which is usually chicken, beef, or peanut butter flavored.

In the beginning you won't be brushing your dog's teeth. Put a little bit of dog toothpaste on your finger, place your finger in his mouth and let him get a taste of the delicious toothpaste. Your dog will love the taste! Do this for a few days in a row. Then you will progress to very gently rubbing his gums with your finger and the toothpaste. Then start brushing a few teeth with the toothpaste and gradually build up to a regular brushing routine. Soon you will be brushing about two times a week. No, you don't need to floss! More dog teeth care information.