Regular
grooming is essential in order to keep your dog looking
and feeling his best. It is best to get your puppy used
to the grooming routine at an early age in order to avoid
difficulties when he is older.
Naturally, long-haired breeds require
brushing much more frequently than short-haired dogs. Always
pay attention to areas that mat easily, for example, behind
the ears. It is much easier to prevent these mats from forming
than it is to remove them once they are there. Ask the breeder
to show you the best way to groom your own puppy and which
type of brush and comb is recommended
for the breed.
Dogs need bathing only when they
are dirty or on the advice of your veterinarian. Make sure
that you do this only in fine weather or you keep him indoors
to avoid chills. Young puppies need extra special care.
Never use a household detergent or disinfectant on your
puppy. Use only products that have been designed for use
on dogs. Whenever you bathe your puppy, his bedding should
be aired and washed at the same time. This, of course, should
also be done at regular intervals between baths.
While you are grooming him, you can
take the opportunity to check the condition of his coat
and skin to look for any abnormalities
such as swellings, wounds or evidence of parasites.
You should also check that his eyes
and ears are clean and clear and free from excessive discharge.
Although you are unlikely to have
problems while he is still young, you should open your puppy's
mouth regularly so that he becomes used to the procedure
from an early age. This practice will prove useful in the
future when you may need to brush his teeth or administer
medication by mouth. You can familiarize yourself with the
normal appearance of your puppy's mouth at the same time.
The teeth should be clean and free from deposits, and the
gums should be a healthy pink color. This is also a good
time to teach
your dog to let you brush his teeth. This can reduce plaque
and bad breath.
As he ages, deposits may develop
around the base of the teeth near the gums. These can be
removed by your veterinarian.
Your puppy's nails might also require
trimming on a regular basis. Dogs that are regularly exercised
on hard surfaces are less likely to need any attention,
as the nails wear down to about the correct length. Regularly
handle your puppy's paws from an
early age. That
makes him better behaved later for groomers or veterinarians.
Dachshund
Grooming Requirements
Grooming the Dachshund is easy as pie! A good brushing once
a week will keep his coat shiny and free of dead hairs.
Ears do need to be cleaned regularly, and nails clipped,
but these duties can be taken care of at home.
Healthy
Coat... Healthy Dog!
The condition of your dog's
coat will tell you a lot about the state of his health.
If it's dull, brittle and listless, it's highly likely that
he's not getting the proper vitamins or nutrients he needs
in his diet. By just spending a few minutes to comb and
brush your dog's
coat, you can make a huge difference in his appearance -
and his overall well-being.
Regular grooming not only removes dead hair and dry skin,
and distributes your dog's natural oils, it's also essential
in keeping away enemies like parasites and skin disease.
Regardless of the length of your dog's coat, you should
brush your dog every couple of days. Generally speaking,
short-hair breeds should be brushed once or twice a week.
Longer haired breeds will need more frequent brushings.You
may need to brush more often if your dog spends a lot of
time outdoors and you need to remove mats or burrs.
The type of brush or comb you use will depend on your dog's
coat and what you want to accomplish. For instance, if you're
just doing general purpose brushing, a comb or pin-head
brush is recommended. You can also get brushes and blades
that help remove dead coat and hair mats (these would most
likely be too harsh for general purpose brushing, however).
There are even special
brushes for making fringe hair look fluffy. When you purchase
your grooming tools, be sure to read the packages carefully
so you know their exact purposes.
For short-haired breeds, start off by brushing in the wrong
direction first, then in the right direction. If your dog
has a dense undercoat, you need to work a bit more intensely.
A long coat with dense undercoat needs to be combed and
brushed gently but firmly. Some breeds - terriers, for example
- need to be trimmed on a regular basis to remove the dead
hairs. While you're brushing your dog, you should also be
looking for any unusual lumps, bumps or changes in the condition
of his coat or skin.
Not only does the grooming process help in promoting your
dog's good health, it also allows you to spend some quality
quiet time with your dog.
Choosing
A Professional Groomer
While most of your
dog's grooming can be done at home, you may not always have
the time or physical ability to do it all the time.
That's when you should seek the help of a professional groomer.
If you're not sure how to go about choosing a groomer, talk
to other dog owners first and see if there's someone they
could recommend.
Otherwise, here are a few tips that might help you choose
a groomer that's best for your dog:
· Look for a shop that is clean and well-ventilated.
· Ask what
types of services are included in the fee. For example,
does it include a bath, drying, brushing, ear/eye cleaning
and nail trimming?
·
Check if your dog requires certain vaccinations and whether
you need to present documentation of current vaccinations.
· Ask how
long an average grooming session lasts so you'll know if
you need to make any special arrangements ahead of time.
· Ask how far in advance you need to make an appointment.
When you visit a
groomer, it's very important to be specific as to how you
want your dog groomed. And be sure to let the groomer know
if your dog has any special needs or if you have certain
preferences with regards to shampoos or products used on
your dog.
Bathing
A Dog
Dogs love water -
sprinklers, puddles, rivers and oceans - so what's the big
deal about the bathtub? As soon as you even hint at putting
your dog in the tub for a good wash, mans best friend turns
into mans best foe.
Whether you're preparing for your
first show, or simply scrubbing the grime off your favorite
canine, this site is your source for grooming tips and product
selection when it comes to bathing your dog. Here you can
learn what you'll need to bathe your mutt, how and where
to bathe him, and most of all, how to keep him happy before
during and after his bath.
Before you begin . . .
make sure that you plan ahead. Have you picked a good location,
one where your dog will feel comfortable and be restrained
with relative ease? Will you have plenty of time?
Will you be using warm or cold water? Warm is good; hot
is not. If you make this a pleasant experience, your dog
will learn to appreciate
his bath. Are you going to be indoors or out?
If you are indoors, have you planned for your escape route?
Wet dogs will shake! For bathing a hard-to-handle dog indoors,
consider a shower hose kit.
If you are outside, be prepared to
keep your furry pal occupied for a while. Experienced dog
washers will tell you that dogs will rub their freshly washed,
damp coats on anything - the lawn, dirt, even compost. So
keep watch!
Stuff
You Need:
Giving your dog a bath is not rocket
science, but it can become a huge clean up project if it
is not managed properly. First, get everything you need
together, starting with a plastic "bath bucket"
for gathering and storing bath items. This saves time and
makes good sense. Select a leash and collar for maximum
control, restraint and safety during the bath. Choose a
leash and collar suitable
for getting wet.
Leather is not recommended for wet conditions. Exposure
to water can cause leather to shrink and/or transfer dye
on to your pet's coat. If left untreated, wet leather eventually
dries out, becomes weakened and finally breaks. A nylon
leash and collar are probably your best bet. A soft bristled
brush suitable for distributing shampoo through the coat
is helpful for long-haired or dense-coated dogs.
Choose a shampoo that is mild and effective. If you're using
a flea and tick shampoo, remember that these products contain
insecticides and it is very important that you read and
follow the label. Have plenty of clean towels available;
old beach towels make great dog towels.Be prepared for the
unexpected. Sometimes the most serene dog can become a Tasmanian
Devil when you add water. You may find a friend to help
if you expect that this might be the case.Bathing and grooming
your dog is so much easier when you have all the components
you need. Make the process easier for you and your dog with
the latest and most high quality dog grooming and bathing
supplies.Now that you have gathered all of the necessary
items and a willing assistant, it's time to choose the water
source and location for the bath. Are you going to be indoors
or out? If you're indoors, have you planned your
escape route? Wet dogs will shake! For bathing a hard-to-handle
dog indoors, consider a shower hose kit.
The Bath:
What are the best ways to achieve
that show ring sparkle?
First, understand the nature of the
beast. Hair coats differ dramatically in density, length
and texture among breeds of dogs and even
among individuals of the same breed. Experts suggest that
you select grooming products that clean the hair and skin
without stripping them of their natural oils.
Shampoos
& Conditioner For Dachshunds
Shampoos should provide adequate
lather and be easy to rinse, while conditioning products
should create a supple and resilient hair shaft that is
not weighted down and doesn't feel greasy. Don't use human
shampoos! They're not designed for a dog's skin or coat.
Use a quality dog shampoo.Conditioner for a dog? Yes! To
relieve tangles and make the comb-out process less of a
hassle for long haired dogs, use a conditioner designed
for dogs.
If your dog has mats, severely knotted
hair that will not comb out, you may have to reach for the
scissors to cut them out. Be careful: mats usually occur
behind the ears, between the toes, under the legs or in
the "arm pits"; all areas that could be a bit
tricky to trim.
Left alone, mats can cause open sores, which can develop
infections.
Procedure:
1. WASHING
When washing your dog, keep the water out of his ears and
eyes as much as possible. If you have to wash around these
areas, just use a damp cloth, and keep the soap to an absolute
minimum.
2. RINSING
Rinsing is probably the most important step of the bathing
process. Make sure that all of the shampoo (and conditioner)
is rinsed out
of the coat. Dogs should smell like dogs, not perfumes or
fruity fragrances.
If the product packs a lot of pungency, chances are good
that your fragrant friend will go out of his way to remove
the "offensive clean smell" and replace it with
something that is sure to make you very sorry.
3. DRYING
Nine out of 10 dogs surveyed consider getting dry the best
part of having a bath. Many dogs actually enjoy a vigorous
rub down.
This part of the bath can be fun if you make a big fuss.
Tell your dog how well she behaved, how pretty she is, and
how much you love her. The neighbors may think you're crazy,
but it really does work - and who cares what the neighbors
think, anyway?
If you opt to finish the bath by blow-drying your dog, you
should know that some dogs are not receptive to hair dryers
at all. Some of them are quite offended by the suggestion;
after all, by this time they have put up with a lot from
you. Use care when using
a blow dryer because dog hair is flammable. You could accidentally
burn your dog if you're not paying attention.
Location:
In real estate, the key to success
is location, location, location. This advice holds true
for dog washing, too, and it may be the most
important step of the planning process. To choose a location
your first decision is "inside or out?"
- Can you easily bathe your dog in
the bathtub, sink or shower with minimal setup and cleanup
effort?
- Will a potential struggle or escape
be catastrophic inside the house?
While outside baths may be potentially
less damaging to your home, indoor baths are fine on several
occasions. Don't rule out indoor bathing for
puppies, small pooches, well-behaved dogs, or if conditions
are poor outside. If you decide to wash your dog inside,
some of the following tips can apply to you too. Just remember
to plan your escape route wisely!
Indoors dog bathing can be challenging.
For instance, have you planned for your escape route? Wet
dogs will shake! For bathing
a hard to handle dog indoors, consider a shower hose kit.
If you are reluctant to wash your
dog in cold water, you can purchase a garden hose adapter
for your sink. The adapters are available in hardware or
lawn and garden stores. A word of warning: It can be difficult
to control the water temperature using this method; the
best way is to set the appropriate temperature and use a
shutoff nozzle or valve on the end of the hose.
Be sure to let the water run a little each time you turn
the water flow back on. This will help ensure that the temperature
is once again regulated.
Remember: Warm is good. Hot is not!
Other
Points To Consider:
Restraint: Is there
a safe and relatively clean place to tie your grubby friend
during the bath? Environment: All wet dogs shake, and the
first thing they look for after a bath is a good location
to get dirty. Have you closed all of the doors to the house?
Are you prepared to keep your pal occupied for the next
20 minutes? A game of fetch or Frisbee, perhaps? Final Tip:
Wash the windows and sliding glass doors well after the
last dewy drop has vanished from your critter's coat. Somehow,
even hours later, these droplets find their way to freshly
washed windows. The key to giving your dog a bath is to
make it as positive an experience
as possible.
Finishing
Touches:
Just because your dog is clean doesn't
mean that the grooming is over!Her hair, nails and ears
should be looked after regularly to keep your dog healthy.
White dogs are susceptible to staining. Some pet products
and shampoos were developed specifically to
address this need. Select a pet shampoo without bleach or
peroxide. New products are available that contain "optical
enhancers" to safely whiten whites and enhance colors.
Some grooming products are available to help you manage
your dog's coat. Detanglers and finishing sprays help make
after bath comb-outs easier and help to keep mats from forming
between baths.
Toenails,
Ears and the Delicate Bits:
Bath time is a good time to check
the length of your dog's toenails. If you feel comfortable
trimming them yourself, ask your veterinarian to show you
how. If you don't want to do it yourself, veterinarians
and local groomers will trim your dog's nails for a small
fee.
It's also a good
idea to get in the habit of checking your dog's ears at
this time. The outer canal should appear clean. Smelly,
itchy infections can result from excess moisture built up
in dogs' ear canals, and an ear cleaner may be needed. If
a waxy buildup is present, see your veterinarian for a diagnosis
and advice for cleaning.
Doggie
Odor
My mom says that daxies
are the most odor-free dogs that she has ever known. The
only time they smell even a tiny bit is when their ears
need a little cleaning. Mom does that with cotton balls,
q-tips and a little Listerine. About once a week she brushes
their teeth too!
Dachshunds are definitely one of the breeds which has virtually
no doggy odor. Also, they might get an odor if their teeth
need cleaning, if their ears need cleaning or if anal glands
need cleaning, but not otherwise.
Shedding
Problems & Allergies
Max & Lola only
gets bathed once or twice a week. Gets brushed regularly.
He did have bad breath until we began brushing his teeth,
and he had the bad ones pulled a year ago and now has okay
breath. I hate to cut his nails but he has never cried.
He walks on pavement
a lot which helps keep his nails filed down naturally.
It is hard to find signs of shedding, especially with the
smooths... actually they like baths, and they are easy to
care for.
If you brush them regularly (even smooth hairs need their
fur and skin invigorated and loose hair brushed off), they
seldom need cleaning. Keep
those ears clean with witch hazel and q-tips. Keep those
toenails trimmed or filed.
Our dachshund, a mini-smooth, was recommended by an allergist
and a veterinarian as being a breed allowable in homes where
individuals have high allergies to dander, etc. (Both husband
and son have high allergies.)
Note: only the smooth
mini was recommended, we were told not to look at wires
or long hairs.
Sometimes we brush them often and brush their teeth once
to twice a week using poultry flavor toothpaste and a finger
brush. We bathe them after long walks in the woods, because
their belly gets covered with crusty mud in the spring.
They reacted to dog shampoo so we have a shampoo we use
which is for allergic dogs. They does not mind it. They
get a bath every 4-6 weeks and loves water. We clip ther
nails once a month, since she hates it.
Coat care on the smooth consists of bathing and brushing
unless some skin problems develop. Wires (depending on the
line) require stripping. Longs need daily brushing, more
frequent bathing, and fairly sophisticated grooming with
thinning shears (again, depends on the dog). Most longs
develop heavier coats in their older years. Spay and neutered
animals develop downy undercoats that needs to be stripped
out. Some have wavy or curly coats (incorrect coat).
