Home Grooming Basics for Short-Haired Dogs

In this difficult economy, more pet owners are trying to learn grooming techniques at home for their lower-maintenance short-haired-dogs. The right tools and techniques can make it easy to keep your dog beautiful and healthy at very little cost.

With short-haired dogs, the most common complaints are of excessive shedding, and body odor. These breeds include the labrador retriever (lab), beagle, bulldog, pug, boxer, chihuahua, rottweiler, vizsla, and more. Luckily, these doggy dilemmas are some of the easier ones to fix.

The Right Brush
Brushing helps supply air to the dog's skin, distributes natural oils that condition the hair, and even reduces shedding. It can also build the bond between owner and pet. The wrong brush can have no effect or sometimes even hurt your dog.

Rubber-nubbed brushes are the best choice for these breeds. The massaging, soft rubber points will feel like a special treat to your dog while you easily brush out huge piles of dead hair. You'll notice a shinier coat, sometimes after the very first use!

Groomer's Pick: Zoom Groom by Kong

Brushing Technique
Brushing should be with the direction of the coat growth, from neck toward the tail. Reversed-direction brushing may be uncomfortable for some dogs, but others prefer it.

Start slowly with your dog, working up to firmer strokes. As long as your dog is comfortable, don't be afraid to brush vigorously with this tool. There are no sharp points and very little r isk of injury.

Groomer's At-Home Tip
Use this tool outside because quite a bit of dead hair will fall with each stroke. Brushing indoors is easy to clean up if your dog stands on a plastic tablecloth. When you're done, just pick up the plastic and shake the loose hairs right into the trash!

Stinky Dog
Short-haired dogs should be bathed whenever the coat gets greasy or dull, but generally once every two months. Odor relief in-between baths comes easily with the variety of pet colognes, powders, waterless bathing foam, and wipes available at your local pet supplier or online. Use hypo-allergenic only products if your dog has sensitive skin, but these gentler formulas are often less effective.

Excessive odor can also be caused by allergy or infection, especially if you notice any discoloration or painful areas on your smelly dog. Check with your vet if the problem persists.

If He Eats Garbage, He Might Look Like It, Too
A poor diet can cause more shedding and increased body odor. Food quality is judged not by price, but by the ingredients. Look for foods without by-products, or at least make sure "by-products" are not in the top 3 ingredients. Corn or corn meal provides only minor nutritional value, but will make your dog eat more and poop more often. Dry kibble also has many benefits over moist food, even reducing bad breath!

With these tips and tricks, home grooming for short-haired breeds can be easy and even enjoyable for you and your doggy.

Happy hairdays, everyone!