Advice on grooming please! Basically I know nothing so my question is do I need to ever shampoo him (am concerned its not natural to put chemicals on his skin) or do I just bath him in plain water. How often should I wash him. Also do I need to trim his nails at all or do I get that done professionally?
Re: Grooming and washing Hi Emma Washing - rinsing (to remove mud etc) is often required with labradors! Shampoo only when necessary though, as you don't want to remove the natural oils in his coat. I shampoo Charlie only when he has rolled in something smelly. Brushing - I think you are supposed to a bit, once a week or so. I don't tend to bother. Charlie doesn't seem to moult much, or I don't notice because my furniture is brown! Nails - I get the vet to check them (it is difficult to cut nails on dark coloured dogs) and so far (at 9 months) he has never needed his nails cut and has worn them down on walks. His nails were sharp as a young puppy but this was because he wasn't walking much. Keep an eye on his front dew claws though. Hope helpful!
Re: Grooming and washing Well, I think I'm a bit lazy on the whole grooming front, i think others do a lot more. My Charlie's skin and coat are good, so not sure that I see the point of doing a lot more. I do check him over every day though and it's important thy get used to being handled. If you haven't already, start on teeth cleaning. I left it a bit late, as couldn't face puppy teeth and toothbrush, but it doesn't get easier so you might as well get on with it.
Re: Grooming and washing Aahh had no idea I had to do his teeth...obvious when you think about it though! How often should I do them? Plus he seems to have some flaky white bits on his fur, is it doggy dandruff do you think? Was concerned he might have got dried skin after the flea treatment the vet gave him. X
Re: Grooming and washing If you are going to rely on teeth cleaning to maintain his teeth (eg you are not feeding appropriate raw bones with meat), then really you should do it every day - because plaque hardens quickly. Your Charlie will still have his puppy teeth, but it's still important you get started. I don't clean Charlie's teeth everyday - we are still learning, and I can't get round his whole mouth with a toothbrush yet. So he also gets rice chews, sea wraps (plaited dried fish skin), dried venison ears, a small amount of rawhide, and occasionally pizzles. He gets one thing like that a day - they are limited because they add to his food intake and deduct from the balanced diet that kibble provides. I struggle to get the recommended 30 min chewing with anything but rawhide though. He always gets his food stuffed in kongs and goody bones so I also hope that helps a bit. For all of my failings, the vet says his teeth look good!
Re: Grooming and washing [quote author=Emma link=topic=3381.msg36826#msg36826 date=1385075710] Plus he seems to have some flaky white bits on his fur, is it doggy dandruff do you think? [/quote] Don't know....is it much? If just a few, wouldn't worry. Charlie's very early puppy coat was a bit dull and he did have a few white bits - compared to how he is now, anyway.
Re: Grooming and washing hey emma, Odin(9month) has only been shampooed once in his life sofar(rolled in the neighbours dunghill ;D ;D, looked like a choc lab instead of a black one and smelled like a skunk afterwards ;D ;D ). I never had to trim his nails cause he wears them down during walks.
Re: Grooming and washing Hi Emma, Bet Julie knew it wouldn't be long until I came along to advocate tooth brushing too ;D I started it the day Dexter came....I felt I owed it to him ;D as I know I will always be too scared to give him bones :-[ If you start now,it takes about 5 minutes everyday and that's brushing and polishing over his gums. I brush Dexter every day...am glad I do as there are so many ticks about,it's a good opportunity for me to give him a quick once over.I use a glove and it takes less than 2 mins....he doesn't moult a lot and it just keeps him looking neat. He gets his paws washed after his walk ( sandy ) and a rub down with the towel....then a face wipe with the flannel and an ear check! He goes to the 'salon' ha ha ha ha ha ha, about every quarter mostly to have his claws cut or filed depending on how long or sharp they are....although his amount of walking on pavements has increased now he is older so I might not need to do it so often.while he is there they bath him and trim the feathers round his bum .....then they put a bandana on him for when I collect him! This whole groom takes about 15 minutes....I haven't got 4 children like you though .....or a job so you can see why I can be so routined! ;D
Re: Grooming and washing Thanks for the advice guys...I better buy a toothbrush this morning! I think it will be nice time together rather than a chore. We already spend time with me touching each paw, his mouth etc as I read somewhere (probably a Pippa post ) that it helps the vet if he is used to being touched all over. He seems to love it. Spends 15 minutes on his back nuzzling me making appreciating noises. Wish the kids were so appreciative of my brushing their hair and teeth...
Re: Grooming and washing Hey Emma Ur puppy Charlie is very cute abt grooming and washing jus follow the advice of the members and u r good to go....tc waiting to hear from u and Charlie. regards, Teena and Cooper
Re: Grooming and washing [quote author=Emma link=topic=3381.msg36826#msg36826 date=1385075710] Aahh had no idea I had to do his teeth...obvious when you think about it though! How often should I do them? Plus he seems to have some flaky white bits on his fur, is it doggy dandruff do you think? Was concerned he might have got dried skin after the flea treatment the vet gave him. X [/quote] I find that adding fish oil to the food helps the coat quality. You can add a tin of sardines to the dog food once or twice a week (remember to lower the amount of dog food you are giving accordingly), or else just give fish oil tablets, one a day is fine. If the flakes are due to dry skin, this should help.
Re: Grooming and washing I add Cod Liver oil daily to Hattie & Charlies' food and their coats are gleaming and soft. Charlie also had white flakes and now he does not.
Re: Grooming and washing Thanks I will lo into where to get that from, I'm guessing health food shops sell the tablets. Thanks x
Re: Grooming and washing [quote author=Dexter link=topic=3381.msg36853#msg36853 date=1385104607] I brush Dexter every day...am glad I do as there are so many ticks about,it's a good opportunity for me to give him a quick once over.I use a glove and it takes less than 2 mins....he doesn't moult a lot and it just keeps him looking neat. [/quote] I know right now with him the age he is it doesn't matter too much, and it will depend on where he is being walked next tick season... but a regular brush over will help you keep a look out for the little blighters. And I have a yellow lab and plain dark navy carpets, so catching any hair that doesn't have to be processed through the hoover is always a bonus... And I must improve on the frequency of our toothbrushing! Clare
Re: Grooming and washing I buy the oil in Pets at Home £7 for a 450 ml bottle much easier to just pour over food, I think anyway. Forgot to say I have never bathed Charlie and when he has occasionally rolled in something I just wash that part and he is nearly 3 years old. Hattie is a Labradoodle so off the the groomer for her for clipping and bathing, their coats are completely different so need the professionals touch
Re: Grooming and washing [quote author=Emma link=topic=3381.msg36882#msg36882 date=1385116415] Thanks I will lo into where to get that from, I'm guessing health food shops sell the tablets. Thanks x [/quote] Yes, health food shops, or Boots or similar. They are actually capsules, not tablets. You can also pour a little sunflower oil onto your dogs kibble every now and then.
Re: Grooming and washing Emma, with the toothbrush - you can use a baby, toddler or 'ultra soft' adult toothbrush. You need to use pet toothpaste that's ok if swallowed. My dog Obi currently has chicken flavour. Another tooth brusher here Start slow and gentle with the tooth brushing. Lots of treats afterwards too.
