A Safe Guide To Clipping Your Dog
Mot dog owners don’t view the process of clipping their pet as an art. Instead, they’re trying to deal with the problem areas – scraggly hair on the feet that tracks in mud, for instance. In their efforts to get rid of undesirable hair, however, they may forget that they can accidentally hurt their pets.
Remember to pay attention to the breed of your dog when clipping his or her fir. Long haired breeds must be clipped correctly to prevent dirt from accumulating close to the skin and causing problems. Fleas, ticks, and man other parasites may also breed more easily in a poorly or improperly clipped coat.
You also need to trip your dog’s toenails correctly to keep them from breaking accidentally and making walking painful. Longer nails will tend to twist sideways, and in serious cases even dig into the foot and cause injury. Dogs with overly long claws will often catch them on hard surfaces, splitting or breaking them.
Injuries also easily occur during clipping of nails. The quick of the nail will bleed it it’s cut. This is the source of blood supplying the nail, as well as where the nerves are located. This keeps the nail alive and growing. However, this area is situated far back inside the nail, and will only be exposed if you cut the nail too short or if it splinters. This can be sensitive or painful.
You must always use the right clippers for your dog’s nails and hair – make sure they’re sharp and meant for animals. Human tools won’t work here. You can find quality tools at your local pet supply store.
If you live somewhere with a cold climate, avoid clipping your dog in winter unless you have to. The winter can put a lot of stress on your dog, particularly if your dog’s coat is not long enough to protect her from the snowy weather and chilly climate. Remember that humans aren’t the only ones to get frostbite.
Overclipping in summer can be bad as well. It might not seem like it, but your dog’s coat protects him or her and keeps the harmful rays of the sun from causing damage. It’s okay to thin or shorten the coat slightly, but make sure you leave enough fur to protect your pet.
Don’t clip your dog when he or she is ill, since it can stress your pet even more. Clip only when needed to get rid of broken nails or dirty fur.
Walking your dog on concrete daily can help keep your dog’s nails worn down in a more even, gradual way. This helps you avoid having to deal with clippers.
To get the best results, you’ll want to talk to a professional groomer who knows how to correctly clip your dog.
It’s also important to look into the right dog training tools to ensure that your dog behaves like you want him or her to. Click Here for a top-notch dog training program that is easy to use to improve your relationship with your pet!
Tags: dog training
dog training | Cliff Stone | 21 December 2009 |
