Groom
Baths, brushing and nail trims build trust as well as shine. How to make home grooming calm for both of you.
Professional grooming has its place, but the weekly maintenance between appointments belongs to you — and it pays double. A dog handled calmly at home stands relaxed on the salon table, and ten quiet minutes of brushing is also ten minutes of bonding no professional can sell you.
Make it calm, keep it short
- Brush before baths, never after — water tightens tangles into mats.
- Use lukewarm water and a dog-specific shampoo; human products dry their skin.
- Trim nails little and often, rewarding each paw — never chase a wriggling quick.
Build the routine young: paws, ears and teeth handled for seconds at a time, always ending before patience runs out. A puppy that learns grooming predicts treats will offer you its paw voluntarily for the rest of its life — ours do.