We may have passed the rainiest days of the summer here in southeast Michigan but our Wags to Wiskers pet parents know that with a little bit of rain and a little bit of dirt, even our best behaved dogs can become mud monsters. Our team of experts have pulled together a quick list of tips and do’s and don’ts for our readers when it comes to at home dog grooming, bathing, and more.
Hopefully you find some of these helpful and if you need more advice on the matter, feel free to drop by your local Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies stores in Ann Arbor (2270 W. Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48103) or Chelsea (1192 S. Main St, Chelsea, MI, 48118) and speak with an associate! We work hard to be the best palce for pet supplies, resources, advice, and more in the Ann Arbor and Chelsea areas so our pet parents can benefit!
3 Tips for At Home
Dog Grooming
Don’t Wait till They’re Mud Monsters
If you’re bathing and brushing your dog for the first time once they’ve rolled around in the mud, you are sadly already losing the battle! Make sure that your dog is prepared for an at home dog grooming experience by brushing them weekly, giving them regular (or at least semi-regular) baths and getting them more comfortable with the idea.
Picture this: your dog gets filthy and you have to wrestle to get them in the bath or shower. Mud gets everywhere - all over you, all over the walls, all over the carpet. A muddy dog just became a muddy dog and a muddy home and a muddy you. Not fun right? So prepare your dog and yourself for the experience by getting them used to the baths and the brushes early and often!
Get the Tools of the Trade
We don’t recommend brushing your dog with a human hairbrush, or bathing that pupper with human shampoo,or trimming hair with scissors, or clipping their nails with your own nail clippers.
At Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies we carry brushes, shampoos, conditioners, and other skin care products and supplements that are specifically meant for at home dog grooming and bathing. Ask an associate for some of our suggestions on what tools and products are best for bathing, brushing, nail clipping, tick removal, paw balm, and more.
Different brushes work better for different breeds of dogs, so don’t just pick any one! If you need help, our Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies staff are always on hand to aid you in your decision making process. If you’re going to have an at home dog grooming session, make sure you’re properly equipped and it’ll make the entire experience more comfortable for your dog.
Stay Attentive
You might not be able to see sores, cuts, or scrapes when your mud monster shows up at the back door. It can be tempting to try and give them a quick scrub down, especially if they don’t love the process, but make sure that you’re staying attentive to what could be hiding under matted, wet fur or beneath the dirt and grime.
At Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies we try to carry all of the pet supplies that you would need for an at home pet first aid kit. However, there are some wounds and injuries that should absolutely be looked at by your veterinarian. Don’t try to do anythign beyond your capabilities, it’s always better to see an expert first. If you’re going to be grooming your dog at home, keep an eye out for small injuries that can unfortunately blossom into something worse.
Conclusion
Quick and easy, 3 tips for at home dog grooming! Our team at Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies focuses on providing the best pet supplies, pet advice, pet resources, and pet help we can. As we are not a team of professional pet groomers, we didn’t want to get too deep into the nitty gritty details of HOW to actually go about cutting your dog’s hair - just bathing, trimming problem areas, brushing, and so on.
Hope you’ve found this helpful for the next time you’re attempting an at home dog grooming session with your mud monster! We’d love to hear how it goes!