5 Tips For Grooming Long-Haired Dogs! Grooming is a necessary part of life for all dogs, but if you have a long-haired dog, you will need to spend a lot of time grooming. Keeping your long-haired dog’s fur regularly brushed is essential not just to help your dog look their best but also to keep your dog feeling their best and to prevent mats from developing. Long-haired dogs need to be regularly groomed, but the process doesn’t need to be painful or unpleasant for you or your dog! These five simple tips will help you easily keep your long-haired dog’s fur looking its best.
1. Make sure you have the correct supplies/equipment- When it comes to grooming, there is a wide range of supplies available for dog owners, including different types of shampoos, conditioners, detangles, brushes, combs, and clippers. Before grooming your long-haired dog, it’s essential to make sure that you have the right supplies at home.
The right supplies will make caring for your dog’s long fur easier. If you aren’t sure which supplies to purchase, or if the grooming supplies you have been using don’t seem right for your dog’s fur, talk to your vet, a breed expert, your dog’s breeder, or a groomer to find out what grooming supplies they recommend for your dog’s coat type.
2. Create a routine – If you have a long-haired dog, one of the easiest things you can do is to create a regular grooming routine. Talk with your vet, your dog’s breeder, and/or groomer to find out how much grooming is most important for your dog’s breed and coat type. Most long-coated dogs will need to be brushed at least weekly, some dogs will need grooming every few days or even daily, especially during times of the year when they are shedding more or have been playing outside or hiking and get debris stuck in their fur. Creating a regular grooming routine will help you to be proactive in caring for your dog’s fur and prevent unsightly and painful mats from developing.
3. Create positive associations- Long-haired dogs need regular grooming, and it’s our responsibility to make grooming fun and comfortable. Your long-haired dog needs to be groomed weekly, if not multiple times per week; that doesn’t mean it has to be unpleasant for your dog. In fact, the more you can help your dog to develop positive associations with grooming, the easier the entire grooming process will be for you and your dog. To do this, try to keep grooming sessions short and fun. Multiple short grooming sessions, separated by playtime, will be more enjoyable for your dog than a long and stressful grooming session. While grooming, talk to your dog in an upbeat and cheerful voice. If you are tired or frustrated, end the grooming session, so your dog doesn’t pick up on your frustrations. While grooming, give your dog lots of treats and praise. You can even use lick mats with wet food, peanut butter, or other spreadable treats to give your dog something enjoyable to occupy themself with while you’re grooming.
4. Detangle – Even if you groom your long-haired dog regularly, they will still get tangles in their fur from time to time. When you notice that your dog has some tangles try to groom that area immediately. At this grooming session, focus on the problem area, gently picking apart, and combing through tangles that have appeared in your dog’s fur instead of trying to brush your whole dog. Focusing on the tangled areas where twigs and other debris have gotten stuck will allow you to get the tangles out right away instead of letting them build up into more extensive mats, which can be painful and even cause sores.
5. Seek professional guidance – In addition to maintaining a regular and consistent grooming routine for your dog at home, you’ll likely need professional support. For most dog owners, having their dog get professionally groomed every 6-8 weeks can help to keep your dog’s fur in the best condition. If you want to do it all yourself, consult with professional dog groomers or other people experienced with your breed and with dogs who have your coat type. These professionals will be able to help instruct you on the best ways to fully bathe, brush, trim, and care for your dog’s long fur.
