NOTE:: This page is under construction. Last update is 4/12/2008. Author and copyrights by me. Please email me for requests to copy this information. Thank you. If you have questions or items you would like to see added to this page, please email prk@wildblue.net.
Grooming is hands on.
The first step to grooming your new puppy is getting him used to being touched in odd places. Most people pet their pups back and wipe their faces. But, in order to keep a good healthy and well groomed puppy you need to touch him everywhere. Teeth, feet, etc...so that he is not in fear or running from you when he thinks it is grooming time.
Start by picking up his feet, looking at them, touching his toes. This will help later with toenail trimming. Look in his mouth at his teeth. This will help later with dental care. Wipe near his behind with your wipies you are using for his upkeep. (I am assuming you have wipies as recommended by us:) ALL of this will help later when your vet is doing puppy checkups and annual checkups. Then of course you can get your puppy used to water for bathing. If he is coming from our kennels, he has already experienced a warm water, sulphur soap bath, in the kitchen sink! So, take your puppy in the tub, or sink or wherever you will bathe him. Keep him calm and remember treats for good behavior! Bathe twice a month, alternate sulphur soap, then nice smelly bath soap. Sometimes once a month is fine. Unless your puppy is playing in the mud, this is all the bathing he will need. You can wipe him down with baby wipes in the evenings every other day in between. Wipe wrinkles and feet and belly and ears.
All of this care, caressing, bathing and investigating will bring you and your puppy closer together..(bonding:) and you will be more in tune with noticing small unusual signs or symptoms that may move you to take your puppy for a vet check. And, mostly it will help you with training, and with health care of your beautiful new pup. (please view our "training" link for information on training your new puppy.)
Grooming Items You Will Need: Please use the link below to order all of your items, for free shipping!
Brush ( I like to use a double sided brush, one with metal combs on one side and "hair type" on the other side. Nice shed brushes for the summer can be found as well)
Toenail trimmers (there are several different types, use the ones you prefer.)
Toothbrush & toothpaste( I like to use the finger brushes, and a poultry or beef tasting toothpaste. You can also just wrap a rag or towel around your finger)
Baby Wipes (of course)
Shampoos (Use a nice smelly one for outings. Sulphur soap keeps those "skin conditions and critters at bay" . But, if you are having skin issues you may want to change your bulldogs diet..as this should hopefully not be occurring with your dog...AND, You can get a nice whitening shampoo if you have dingy white going on in the coat. )
Saline Eye Wash
(It is a good idea to keep eye wash around in case your puppy gets something in his eyes! I also use this every few days with my bulldogs to keep their wrinkly eyes clean) Just use a drop or two in each eye when returning from outside play time, or when ending the day.
Tear Stain Remedy (If your english bulldog has a white face there is a very good chance that you see significant tear staining. It will look like a "rust" color. You can find remedies online or your local pet stores. We also use a home made remedy, using a bit of Milk of Magnesia and a tablespoon of Hydrogen Peroxide and enough cornstarch to make a paste. After a few weeks of regular use the tear stain will fade. Be careful not to get the paste in the puppies eyes.OF COURSE daily wiping of baby wipes will keep the tear stains at bay!!)
try also www.eyeenvy.com
How to's..
Starting with Brushing: Dogs have different kinds of hairs, guard hairs (longer and coarser), undercoat (soft and thick), and medium hairs. Each hair follicle produces every type of hair. Dogs have 2 coats a year. When brushing any dog, start at the head and work your way down the back to the tail, then down the legs to the feet. Follow the growth pattern of the hair. WE SUGGEST back brushing your dog. #1 it helps with shedding and #2 it gets the oils spread through the coat making it look very shiny. (we do this alot in the show ring) So, brush the dog AGAINST the growth pattern, brush back WITH the growth pattern, then use your handy baby wipe to sheen the coat and remove lose hairs.
Trimming Toenails: This is not always a fun job. Please be sure you are handling your puppies feet and you should not have trouble in this area. There are 3 ways you can trim the toes. While the pup is standing on his feet, his foot lifted into your hand forward, and then also bent under so that you can better see the quick and the hollow part that must be trimmed off. You will be trimming the "curve" of the nail so that it flattens out. This is a very important part of your dogs grooming! People do not realize that long nails can cause the feet to "splay out" and this spreading of the toes causes the dog to walk in an awkward manner. Walking in an awkward position is what will put stress on your dogs joints and cause hip and joint problems in the future! So, take necessary steps to take good care of your dogs feet!
Illustrated toenail trimming instructions
Toothcare: We like to use the finger toothbrush as suggested above. You can find a little "kit" at your local petstore that will include a toothbrush, a finger brush and toothpaste flavored by meat. I also wash down our dogs teeth with just a rag at the dog shows.
Tearstains: Wipe tearstains with milk of magnesia. Use show eyes or eye bright from petco or petsmart... and use a whitening shampoo for the coat and staining during bathtime. There is a nice mixture we use before shows. Start one or two weeks in advance of photo shoot or show. Mix one part milk of magnesia, one part hydrogen peroxide, and enough corn starch to make a paste. (or baking powder)
Put in the wrinkles and wipe on stains. It will dry and fall off. Repeat daily or 2x a day.
(OF COURSE THERE IS ALWAYS THE OPTION OF A GROOMER)
To me knowing my dog myself is best. Grooming our dogs keeps us aware of any skin fault, or health issue that may ever arise. And besides, it's your dog, it loves you most. Why wouldn't you want to be the one caring for it.??