Q&A for How to Groom a Dog

You can take a few minutes to play with your dog before you get started. This will help tire out your dog and make it calmer when you're grooming and bathing it.

This depends on the type of dog, their coat type, and how quickly their hair grows. Typically, a dog with some poodle heritage requires a parlor trip every six weeks or so.

Long fur on the paws acts as a trap for grass seeds, grit, or even ice, so regular trimming is advisable. Use a pair of curved scissors with rounded tips. Work on one toe at a time and twirl the fur growing between two toes between your finger and thumb, and then snip the hair off at the base. Be careful never to pull on the fur, which elevates the skin and makes cutting it more likely. If you cannot see where the skin ends and the fur starts, then slide a comb through the fur at skin level, and using the scissors cut on the safe side of the comb. Repeat for each toe on each paw.

Dogs have a pair of anal scent glands that sit at the 8.20pm position on either side of the anus. Some dogs produce too much secretion and the glands stretch which causes the dog to scoot on his bottom. The glands can be emptied by applying gentle pressure underneath each gland, milking the secretion up and out onto a piece of cotton wool. Anal sac secretion is unpleasant so wear disposable gloves. Be careful not to squeeze too hard and if in doubt, stop and ask a professional groomer how to empty them.

Yes, though it is usually better to use dog clippers if you can get them. Dog clippers are designed to cut dog's hair, which usually has a coarser top coat and a softer undercoat, but not every dog has this type of coat. For instance, Yorkies and similar breeds only have one type of hair, more like humans, and so it actually makes perfect sense to use human clippers on this kind of dog.

Dog toothpaste is formulated so the dog can swallow it afterward. Do not use human toothpaste on dogs, as it contains fluoride that can harm your dog.

It will not hurt a dog to get their whiskers cut. However, their whiskers are like their sixth-sense, so while the whiskers are still short, they may not longer be able hunt or play as well as they used to. Unless there is some extremely good reason to cut them, then don't.

You probably introduced it to him incorrectly. Try playing with him in the bathtub while it's dry. Comfort your dog and play with her inside of it. He will soon like the bathtub. Next, put an inch of water into the tub. Get into a swimsuit and start playing exactly like how you were before except with a little bit of water. Do this for two weeks and then try bathing your dog again.

Consider taking him to a professional groomer, because you may get hurt.

Yes, most owners do. It is a lot of work to keep a full-length doodle coat free of mats.

It is never early to start training you puppy. For more advanced training, start at 9 weeks.

Put on a pair of latex gloves. You'll have to lift up your dog's tail. Look for lumps and loose, watery discharge; if the tissue is red and swollen, take notice. Wash the anus with warm water. Then use your thumb and pointer finger to push in about 1/4 to 1/2 inch to release this gland.

You can use human shampoo and conditioner on your dog, but before you use it, make sure it doesn't have any irritants in it and consult your local veterinarian just to make sure that the brand is safe for your dog -- a quick phone call with a request to have the receptionist ask and get back to you should suffice.

No, the whiskers are there for a reason. They act much like a cat's whiskers, and help the dog feel his way around.

You would need a soothing shampoo. The best are ones that you can get from a vet. If the issue is allergies, go hypoallergenic. Your vet should have some good suggestions.

Have a groomer do that, or if you really want to save money, have someone hold your dog while distracting him with treats or use, as shown in the article, a leash that attaches to the bathtub.

It's best if you let a parent or dog groomer handle the grooming as improper techniques could hurt your dog.

No. Maybe if it was cold outside and you used cold water, but during the summer it should be fine.

Yes, if it is long enough.

You should trim your dog's hair after bathing, as it will be easier.

When your puppy is comfortable being handled, you are ready to begin brushing and combing. Puppies should be introduced to professional grooming when they are about 10 to 12 weeks old or have had their second round of vaccines. Most dogs will require grooming every four to eight weeks.

You should never use a human nail clipper on your dog because human nail clippers are often not powerful enough to cut through thick dog nails. Nail clippers for dogs come in a variety of different styles, but with the same purpose of trimming your dog's nails so that they don't get too long and cause your dog pain.

Yes, this strips the dog's hair of the natural oils that keep its skin moisturized. I recommend you bathe a dog once a month with dog shampoo or human baby shampoo. If you want to bathe more often than once a month, use a soap-free or moisturizing shampoo to prevent skin from becoming dry. Do not bathe your dog more than once a week unless recommended by your vet.

Cesar Milan recommends bathing a dog with normal skin once a month with dog shampoo or human baby shampoo. If you want to bathe your dog more often, use a soap-free or moisturizing shampoo to prevent the skin from becoming dry.

Wee wee pads are always the way to go. When they go on the wee wee pad, make sure to reward them with treats. Once your puppy is ready to walk outside, do the same thing, if they pee or poop outside, reward them with a treat. As they get older, it becomes a natural thing and soon enough your dog will get into the routine.

Wet a towel with lukewarm water and add the tiniest bit of shampoo. Slowly make your way around the dog's face, gently wiping it. Avoid areas like the eyes nose and mouth.

To make the legs look longer, trim the hair as much as possible without exposing the skin. To make the legs appear shorter, leave the hair longer and shaggier while keeping the ends trimmed tightly to the body.

With practice you can feel comfortable using electric clippers to cut your pup's hair. Begin grooming by washing your dog and rinsing well. Shave the private areas of your dog with a #10 blade. Change the blade to a #30 blade. Choose the blade of your choice to begin the hair cut.

It depends on the age and maturity of the child. Soap can irritate the dog's eyes and cause issues and pain if it is allowed to go into the eyes. It is a judgement call per parent, with full knowledge of your child's maturity. They can always just help you by handing you the soap or getting you a towel.

This depends on the dog. If its hair is more on the greasy versus dry end of the spectrum, you can bathe more frequently to help keep the coat clean. If its more dry, use a soft brush to help keep dirt and debris out of your dog's coat.