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Brushing your dog between groom appointments is very important. Here are some easy steps to take when brushing your dog at home.
1) The best time to try and brush your dog is at bedtime. The two of you are both relaxed and this makes for a stress-free time. Sit down and watch TV while doing it.
2) Have another hand to help hold or pet your dog while you attempt brushing him/her.
3) Start at the base of the head and stroke down on to the back. Do not brush in one spot more than 5 times. You don't want to brush burn your dog and make his skin red or irritated.
4) Lift up his ears and brush down the sides of his neck and under ears. Then brush the ears gentley.
5) Then if possible lift the front legs of your dog into a standing position. Brush it's tummy and armpits gentley. Again, making sure not to brush to hard and in one spot too long.
6) Next, hold your dog's back leg and brush the legs on both sides. Following up with his tail and his hind.
7) After you are done and feel the dog has been brushed out thoroughly, take a metal comb (you can buy one of these at Upco) and comb through your dog's coat making sure there are no matts or tangles left.
8) If your dog has a matt, try pulling the matt apart with your fingers and brushing it from the ends working your way to the skin. (if the matts are so bad that they are not pulling apart or brushing out your dog may need that matt shaved out.)
9) Dogs that are severely matted should be shaved down and the coat should grow out fresh.
The biggest problem that most people have when brushing their dog is that they only get the top layer of hair, leaving the bottom layer to be neglected and become matted. Bathing your dog with matts will make the matts worse and thick.
If you have a long haired dog, I suggest you use a conditioner with each bath. This helps with brushing and dematting.
When you are done brushing or bathing your dog always give he/she a favorite treat and tell them what a good dog they are. This is re-enforcing good behavior.
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