Brushing

It is good for all puppies to be brushed. Grooming has great social benefits as your puppy spends time bonding with you and learns to trust you and accept your handling.

Grooming also has health benefits. As well as removing knots, brushing stimulates oil glands in the skin and spreads oils in the coat. Grooming allows you to notice any parasites like fleas in your puppy’s coat, and detect any other skin problems.

The grooming your puppy needs will depend on their breed and the type of coat they have. Dog brushes are useful on all coats, and longer haired breeds also benefit from using a comb to prevent knots. Some breeds may need to have their coat clipped.

Bathing

How often should a puppy be bathed?
This is a common question – and for most puppies the answer is as often as you want to bath them! Many owners with indoor dogs like to have puppies that are clean and smell nice, and to do this you may need to wash your pup every few weeks.

• Use a good dog shampoo – dogs have sensitive skins, and human shampoos and soaps can cause irritation.
• Always rinse well after you have washed your puppy, as residual shampoo left on the skin can also be irritant.
• Some puppies do have skin problems – if your pup has red or itchy skin, you can see sores on the skin or they have a strong dog smell even after you wash them, consult your vet.

Nail clipping

Small puppies may need their nails clipped before they begin walking outside, and some dogs require ongoing nail trimming if they exercise on soft surfaces.

Get your vet to do this the first time and show you how
Always use proper dog nail clippers. Start out slowly and never stress or fight with your puppy. Get someone else to hold your puppy, and gently hold the toe with one hand.

If the nail is clear, you can see the pink tissue or ‘quick’ that must be avoided when you cut. If the nail is black you may need to judge where this is. Take a small amount off to start, and only do one or two nails, always stopping before the puppy struggles. Reward them with verbal praise and a puppy treat when you finish.