Brushing the hair of your dog

One of the most essential parts of a dog grooming routine that pet owners should remember is brushing the hair of their pup.
Maintaining a regular habit of brushing your pup helps keep their coat free from mats and tangles and also helps remove any trapped debris and loose hair. And most of all, it keeps your dog look good.

Health benefits of brushing your pet’s hair

When you regularly brush your pup’s hair, it lets you be aware of the normal state of your pet’s body. It is recommended that you spread the hair apart to check the skin of your dog and feel any bumps, lumps or abrasions while you are brushing him. If you do this as a routine, you will easily notice if something has changed with your pup’s body or if something is out of the ordinary. A lot of insect bites, skin cancers and bacterial infections in dogs start with one or two new bumps.
Brushing your pup’s hair is essential because it helps keep the hair mat free. Mats are a result of allowing your pet’s hair to have tangles. Mats are tight bunches of hair that is difficult to separate. If you don’t remove them, it grows bigger and bigger. Mats also form tightly on your dog’s skin, which makes it painful over time. It can collect insects or debris, become smelly and create several skin problems for your pet. Mats should be removed with care using a mat breaking grooming tool or by cutting it out with a pair of scissors carefully.
Another health benefit of brushing your pet’s hair is relaxation. Most dogs like it most when they are brushed, especially if it is started early and done on a regular basis. Brushing massages the skin, helps loosen up dry skin, and makes your pet feel wonderful. Combining the hair brushing routine with sprays made from essential oils, such as chamomile or lavender, the aroma helps give your dog a more relaxing experience.

Brushing tools

 

Double coated dog breeds have a thick undercoat which sheds out two times in a year. It is essential for pet owners to get all of the undercoat out of the pup, or else it will eventually form a mat. The best grooming tools for double coated pups are a comb, rake and a Furminator de-shedding tool.
Silky coated breeds such as Maltese and Yorkshire terriers have hair, not fur. The hair will continue to grow and have a very silky texture. Dogs with silky coats need combs and pin brushes to keep their hair free from tangle and in top condition.
Terriers and dogs that are wiry coated possess hair that is rough in texture and does not shed in a similar way as a normal pup.Terriers usually have their hair stripped or plucked out to keep their coat texture in good condition. The best grooming tools for this kind of coat are a pin brush, stripping grooming tool and a flea comb. A flea comb has teeth that are tightly set, which helps grab dead hairs and pull them out as you comb your dog.
For breeds that have short coats, such as Labrador retrievers, slick brushes and Furminator de-shedding tools work best, as do hound gloves.

How to brush the hair of your dog

To help your pup feel at ease when you are brushing their hair, it is essential that you introduce the routine and the tools needed at an early stage in their life. With a puppy that has never experienced brushing, you, can combine some treats or toys while you lightly brush. Make your pup focus on the treat while you stroke once or twice using a brush. Do this a few times in the beginning, then slowly build up a routine from there.
Dogs that are not used to having their hair brushed often need to be acquainted to the brush, the same way a puppy does. You can let your dog do some exercise first by walking or playing to wear out the excess energy. After that, you can proceed to a downtime of brushing the hair a few times while letting your pup focus on food or toys.
Make the first session for a few minutes only. Forcing a dog to be brushed when he’s not comfortable leaves a bad impression to your pup. For all kinds of dogs, you can start by using a rubber brush or pin brush as these are the most gentle to the touch and makes your dog feel good. When the initial experience of your pup to brushing is good, he will enjoy it when it becomes a routine.

 read more how to choosing the best dog hair clippers at http://petful101.com/top-5-best-dog-hair-clippers-and-professional-dog-grooming-clippers-reviews/