Having your dog on a regular and consistent schedule with grooming has several benefits to both their health and behavior. This schedule will vary depending on variables such as age, breed, coat length, etc.
Health benefits of regular grooming include:
- Increased skin and coat quality – Natural oils are released when fur is brushed, allowing it to spread throughout the coat along with the removal of dead hair and debris.
- Regular brushing prevents matting in long coated breeds. Matts can cause a great deal of pain from pulling on the skin and can lead to infections and behavior issues.
- Early indication of any health concerns. With regular check-ins with grooming needs we can indicate and keep track of any lumps, bumps, rashes or areas of concern.
- Posture and joint support through regular nail trimmings. Keeping nails trimmed and feet clear from fur overgrowth can avoid joint and mobility issues long term.
- Increased dental and ear health. Dental decay can influence a dog’s lifespan so regular brushing is very impactful. Regular ear maintenance can prevent infections and extreme discomfort.
Behavior benefits to regular grooming include:
- Early and regular exposure to grooming helps dogs to be calmer and more accepting of handling. This benefits you as an owner, the groomer, your dog’s vet, and any other pet industry professionals.
- Decreased stress and discomfort. Fur matting, ear infections, overgrown coats or nails, tooth aches, etc. can create pain and discomfort which can cause high stress levels in dogs.
- Desensitizes dogs to situations where they may experience slight discomfort. Regular grooming can increase a dog’s tolerance to feeling inconvenienced which can help them better adjust to change.
- Regular grooming and handling creates a healthy relationship between you and your dog. This can strengthen the bond and build understanding and cooperation. Your dog will also create healthy relationships with your groomer, vet and professional pet staff.
For long coated dogs, a regular full grooming schedule looks like every 4-6 weeks with maintenance such as brush outs, nail trims, ear cleanings in between on an as needed basis. For shorter coated dogs a regular full grooming schedule looks like every 6-8 weeks with maintenance in between on an as needed basis.
Puppies should experience regular trips to a grooming table for short and positive sessions, even if not needed. We suggest visiting grooming and handling every 2 weeks until the puppy becomes calm and comfortable with handling.