How to Brush a Small Dog's Hair

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How to Brush a Small Dog's Hair

Easy

10 - 20 Minutes

1 Week

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Introduction

If you pay attention to your little dog, he tries his best to keep his coat neat and tidy. He works hard with tongue and claws to keep himself groomed, but this only goes so far. Even though he's small, he needs a hand--when his best efforts come to an end is where yours get started. Your pup's tongue may be great at spreading his natural oils through his coat, but it's not the best tool to remove tangles, mats, burrs, and parasites. This is where you, along with a bucket full of combs, brushes, and shears come in.

Dog's Perspective

Your dog's main concern is keeping his coat clean and the oils spread through it. As far as he is concerned, doing this is all that grooming involves. Chances are, he really doesn't care how he looks nearly as much as you do. Brushing his coat regularly will keep it free of mats, dirt, debris, fleas, and other parasites. It's also a great time to bond with him.

The Easy Way Method

Effective

0 Votes

Slicker Brush

Scissors

Pin Brush

Comb

Step

Start at the top

Use a brush and gently work on the top of your pup's head and then down the back of his head to his neck. If he has long hair around his eyes and muzzle, this is the time to take care of it. Be very gentle as the skin here is thin and sensitive.

Step

Time for his ears

If your pup has ears with long hair, this is a good time to brush them. You can use your fingers as a guide and to help stop you from pulling on the hair, causing your pup unnecessary pain.

Step

To the ruff, we go

Work your way down to his ruff, take his collar off if you haven't already. Be sure to brush through this area very thoroughly and then finish up by brushing it in the direction of hair growth.

Step

He's got legs

Your pup has legs and he sure knows how to use them, but let's talk about grooming them. If your pup has very short hair on his legs, you don't really need to do anything. But, if your pup has long hair on his legs, start brushing the outside from the top down. Go slowly and work out any tangles or cut them out if needed. Do the outside and then inside of each leg.

Step

Top, middle and bottom

Brush from the middle of his back down to the middle of his tummy on both sides. Be gentle when brushing his belly, as this area is quite sensitive. Then brush his rump, being careful around his anus and genitals. Brush his tail if needed and you are all done!

The Grooming Table Method

Effective

0 Votes

Slicker Brush

Scissors

Pin Brush

Comb

Step

Prepare the hound

Call your dog over and put him on the grooming table. Give him a moment to calm down, when he does give him a treat. If your pup is typically calm you may not need the safety harness, but in reality, you should always use it for your pup's safety.

Step

At the head

Brush the top of his head, around his muzzle, under his chin, and very carefully around his ears. If he has long-haired ears, be very gentle brushing them as his ear flaps are very sensitive. Any mats you encounter should be cut out with shears.

Step

Slip-sliding away…

Take the brush and work on his neck hair, working your way down his chest. Make sure the brush gets all the way down to his skin, so you get the most dirt and debris out.

Step

The pins are next

Start at the top of each leg on the outside and work your way to his paw. Then gently lift the leg so you can brush the inside.

Step

From the top down

Start at the top of his back and work your way down each side, removing tangles, cutting out any mats, all the way to the middle of his belly on both sides. Just be careful around his genitals as this area is very sensitive.

Step

And now for the grand finale

Brush the tops of his hips down his butt and the backs of his legs, if they have long hair. The last thing to brush is his tail if he has long hair. Now you have one beautiful pup and the best part, you did it all by yourself!

Caution & Considerations

Never waste your money on cheap combs and brushes.
Be sure you buy the right brushes and combs for your pup's hair type.
Never yank on a mat to remove it, this is painful for your pup. Use a sharp pair of shears to cut it out if you cannot work it out gently.
Always use sharp safety shears with rounded tips.
Give your pup time to get used to the tools you will be using. This will help him to remain calm while you are grooming him.

Conclusion

Not only is brushing your small dog's coat your job, it is a great way for the two of you to spend time bonding with each other. This is a great time to check him over for fleas, ticks, parasites, dirt, and debris. Long-haired dogs should be brushed daily, but no less than once a week. Shorter haired dogs should still be brushed weekly for optimum coat health.

How to Brush a Small Dog's Hair

Introduction

Dog's Perspective

The Easy Way Method

The Grooming Table Method

Caution & Considerations

Conclusion

Success Stories and Grooming Questions

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