How to Groom a Small, Independent Dog

Does Jasper tend to do things on his own? When you are dealing with a small, independent dog like Jasper, grooming can go one of two ways. He can take to it like a duck to water or he can fuss and fight you, making it as challenging as possible. 

In reality, grooming any dog should never be hard. It should be something that both of you look forward to every week. Bear in mind that while one of the methods below does include bathing, check with his vet to determine how often you should be bathing your dog. Some breeds should only be bathed once or maybe twice a year. 

Being an independent fellow, Jasper takes care of bathing himself, if and when he feels like he needs it. He can spend hours licking, chewing, and scratching at himself, but in the end, it really doesn't quite get the job done. Your mission, should you accept it, is to teach Jasper that there are times when Mr. Independent needs to take a massive chill pill. One of which just happens to be at grooming time. 

• Always use the right type of brush for your dog's coat, the wrong one could cause him pain.
  
• Always brush his hair in the direction it is growing. This will help spread his natural oils and keep his coat lying flat.
  
• If you are using shears, be sure they are sharp and have rounded safety tips.
  
• If you decide to use clippers, be sure the blades are sharp and oiled.
  
• Give your dog plenty of time to get used to each of the tools you plan to use.
  
• Use plenty of treats to help keep your dog occupied and as rewards for good behavior.
  
• Take all the time your pup needs, let him set the pace and things will go much easier. 
  

Grooming a small, independent dog can be quite challenging. But, the most important thing to keep in mind is that you are the Alpha in Jasper's pack and you need to be sure he doesn't forget this. The more you work at the grooming process, the easier it will be for the two of you. Make it fun and treat it as a bonding experience for both of you.