Brush your dog frequently.
Brushing will stimulate the oils in your pets skin and keep it moist and healthy. Brushing will prevent your dog’s coat from matting. Brushing is a great way to show your dog care. Brushing removes dead hair from the coat that contributes to shedding.
Maintain the length of your dog’s nails.
You can walk your dog frequently to wear down the nails. Trim your dog’s nails regularly. If they are cut too far, they can bleed and itch. Groomers typically charge slightly less than vets for nail trimming. If you think that your dog will be aggressive in cutting his nails, it is best to take him to the vet.
Bathe your dog regularly.
Purchase dog shampoos and conditioners at pet stores. Do not use flea and tick shampoos unless your pet needs them, they can dry out your pet’s skin. Be sure to rinse your dog well, leaving soap on the skin can cause problems. Bathing a dog with knots and mats will make them worse, be sure to remove them before or immediately after bathing.
When drying your dog, use low heat. Dogs are sensitive to burns, keep this in mind when adjusting the water temperature. Bathing your dog will reduce the chances of flea and tick infestations. Put cotton in your dog’s ears before bathing him. Often water in the ears can lead to ear infections. By washing dead hair, regular bathing reduces shedding of your dog’s coat.
Keep your dog’s ears clean.
Do this with a dog ear cleaner purchased at any pet store. Put a small amount of ear cleaner on a cotton ball and rub the outer surface of the inner ear. Keeping your dog’s ears clean and dry will reduce the chance of ear infections and ear mites. You can also buy ear wipes at any pet store to keep your dog’s ears clean.
Dog groomers and veterinarians can also clean your pets’ ears for you. Many long-haired dogs grow hair in their ears that needs to be pulled back to prevent ear infections. This hair can be gently removed with hemostatic forceps. Most people leave this up to their groomer or vet.