Most people do never think of going out without out combing their hair. No matter if your dog has short or long hair, grooming is required to maintain a healthy and shiny coat.

Combing or brushing his hair is important and you may inspect his coat and bath him if necessary. This will protect his hair against tangling and being matted. Your pet might be uncomfortable with tangled and matted hair. This also affects his health badly. They can make your pet hurt when being touched. Therefore, grooming regularly will keep your pet looking good and feeling good as well.

Moreover, brushing a dog's coat is a good way to distribute the animal's natural oils. To do so, it not only removes loose hair, stimulates the skin, but also loosens dirt and dander and any other materials stuck in it. You should also check the dog's skin for any signs of inflammation, infection, irritation or parasite infestation when grooming.

Dogs with shorter hair need less grooming than dogs with longer hair but they all need grooming. From frequent shedding many shorthaired dogs have a dandruff problem. Daily brushing is required. You should use a soft bristled brush or a hound glove with short wire bristles in the palm on shorthaired dogs. This can get rid of the dead hair and dirt easily. After that, use a soft cloth to wipe any remaining loose hair. For your alternative, you may use a fine toothed comb. You should start with the head and work downwards along the dog's body to its tail and legs.

Of course, longhaired dogs need grooming more frequently. A short time every day to finish this will make it easier. Similarly, start at the head and comb the direction of the dog's hair. For dogs that have thick undercoat, lift the hair and brush under the coat to get rid of dead hair. Wire pin or slicker brushes are very suitable for longer coats because the brush has long firm bristles to remove the dead hair. A wide toothed comb is the better option if using a comb after the brushing,

Dogs should not be bathed more than three or four times a year according to a general rule if they are not terribly dirty. Their protective natural oils will be removed if they are bathed too often and a dandruff problem might follow. However, dogs with long silky coats may need weekly bathing. Before you bath your dog, you may need to brush its coat well to get rid of dead, loose hair, and loosen tangles or mattes and this step is very important. You can use any dog shampoos that are gentle and tearless. You may need to use a special shampoo if your dog has fleas or skin conditions. Always rinse the shampoo thoroughly and make sure you don't get shampoo in his eyes. Removing all shampoo is very important as well as it might cause itching, flaking and skin problems. Next, wrap the dog in a towel and dry. You can blow dry on the lowest setting with the blow dryer and keep it far enough away from the dog, otherwise he will be burned.

Clipping the dog's toenails is another part of the grooming process. You should use clippers and be careful and be sure that you are not cutting to the quick where the blood supply ends. If you do cut into the quick make sure you have some styptic powder on hand. This will stop the bleeding. Moreover, don’t forget to brush your dog's teeth. Use soft bristled toothbrush and toothpaste for dog, not the human one.

This is also the right time to inspect and clean his ears. You may start with wet a cotton ball slightly with an ear cleaner and then, wipe the folds of the skin. If you notice a wax buildup or foul smell, then you should get your veterinarian to check for any possible infection.

Despite the fact that the grooming process may seem like a task, it can be a positive experience for both you and your pet. It is a very good way to keep your companion healthy. The interaction coming with this will surely turn this task into an enjoyable and bonding experience for both of you.