A Step-by-Step Guide to Grooming your Short Haired Dog

When grooming your dog, it is important to understand the coat type, to ensure you are using the correct tools and methods to achieve the desired result.
 
Smooth coated dogs are short haired breeds, which require less grooming than other coat types but still must not be neglected. A smooth coated dog has short hair which lies close to the body, with no undercoat. While these dogs are some of the easiest to maintain, they also tend to be profuse shedders, so loose hairs will accumulate on soft furnishings, clothes and carpets if grooming is irregular or improper.
 
The skin of dogs with this coat type tends to be sensitive to harsh treatments, so gentle attention is needed in regard to shampoo and conditioning treatments used, and brushing tools and technique.
 
Smooth coated breeds include Dalmations, Great Danes, French Bulldogs, Beagles, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Greyhounds, Basset Hounds, Labradors and Pugs.

Bath Time!

Smooth coated dogs do not tend to need bathed very often as they do not tend to get smelly (aside from those who love to find something stinky to roll in!). Once every 8 weeks or so is usually sufficient to ward off any dog smells, and care should be taken to avoid bathing too regularly as this can strip the natural oils from the coat.
 
Selecting a shampoo and conditioner for your short coated dog can be one of the most difficult parts of the grooming process! Often these dogs have sensitive skin so harsher shampoos should be avoided, and it is particularly important for these breeds that a dog specific shampoo is used.
 
Human shampoos should never be used, as dogs and humans have very different pH balances in the thin layer called the acid mantle, which protects the skin. Human skin has a normal pH balance of 5.5-5.6, which is on the acidic side. Dogs, on the other hand, have a normal pH balance of 6.2-7.4, which is more neutral. Using a human shampoo on dogs disrupts the acid mantle, leaving your dog vulnerable to parasites, viruses, and bacteria. It also makes his skin feel dry and flaky, which can lead to repeated scratching and abrasions. This makes it easy for bacteria to invade. Dog’s skin is also more sensitive than ours; we have 10-15 layers of skin cells, canines have only 3-5. Shampoo with the wrong pH balance and/or harsh chemicals can irritate a dog’s skin and strip away the protective oils from his coat and skin.
Step 1: Collect all the items you will need for the bath, including a jug to dilute the shampoo if required, your chosen shampoo and conditioner, a bathing tool such as a Kong Zoom Groom to help massage the shampoo to the skin, and a helper to hold your dog if necessary.
 
Step 2: Place your dog in the bath or shower on a non-slip mat. Ensure the water temperature is suitable, not too hot nor too cold, and thoroughly wet the dog all over. Massage shampoo into the coat, ensuring that it is reaching the skin and that you do not miss any areas. Take care around the eyes and ears to ensure that shampoo and soapy water do not get into these sensitive areas. Rinse the coat thoroughly until you can hear a 'squeak' from the coat when you hold it between your fingers - squeaky clean! Repeat for conditioner.
 
Step 3: Towel dry your dog as much as possible while they stand in the shower or bath. They will almost certainly shake as soon as you let them loose. If your dog will tolerate it, you can finish drying with a hair dryer, but remember just how little hair they have to protect their sensitive skin and take care to avoid burns or discomfort from the heat of the hair dryer. Use a Bristle Brush to disrupt the coat throughout the drying process, to help spread the natural oils and speed up drying.

Brushing Tools & Techniques

Step 1: Begin by using the Bristle brush all over your dog's body, starting at the head. Use a gentle but firm brushing action. You can use long strokes of the brush on a short coat as there will be little natural resistance to the flow of the brush’s bristles across the surface of the skin.
Finish off over the rump and tail area. When working on the legs, it can help to raise individual legs; this effectively immobilizes the dog and helps to stop it from trying to move around on the tabletop. This step is intended to remove all debris from the coat.
 
Step 2: If your dog is shedding hair, use a Furminator or Ancol Shed Master brush to remove dead undercoat. Brush all over the dog, taking care around sensitive areas and using just enough pressure to remove hair without causing discomfort to the dog.
 
Step 3: Use a Rubber Grooming Glove such as the Trixie Coat Care Glove or a Four Paws Love Glove to remove any remaining loose hair. You should work in a circular fashion across the body or with long strokes. The rubber pimples on the glove “embrace” the coat and stimulate the skin. The effect for the dog is not unlike a stimulating body massage and helps to distribute natural oils throughout the coat.

Eyes, Ears & Teeth

Eyes: Check the eyes and clean any gunk which has accumulated. This should be done on a regular basis to stop deposits becoming hardened and more difficult to remove. Use lightly dampened cotton wool or Petkin Eye Wipes for mild cases. If there are excessive deposits around your pet's eyes, you will need to contact a vet as this could signify infection. If your dog suffers from tear staining, use a Tear Stain Remover on a regular basis as these need to be broken down over time.
 
Ears: Cleaning the ears is an essential part of a grooming routine, and is best done outside before a bath as when your dog shakes after ear cleaning, the debris has to go somewhere! Before cleaning the ears, inspect them. If your dog has a lot of hair coming from the ear canal, it may need to be plucked. Talk to your groomer or vet's office about how to properly pluck the ears without hurting your dog. Squirt a few drops of ear cleaner into the ear and gently massage the base of the ear as the cleaner dissolves wax and loosens dirt. Allow your dog to shake and gently wipe down the ear with a suitable wipe. Most dogs are not keen on this process, so be sure to reward with a delicious treat.
 
Dental: Choose a suitable toothbrush and toothpaste (one designed for dogs!) for your pet. Most toothpastes are designed to be used on a daily basis. If your pet will not tolerate tooth brushing, implement other strategies to control their dental health and hygiene such as using a Dental Rinse which can be added to their water bowl.

Nail Maintenance

Unless your dog spends a lot of time exercising on hard surfaces, it is likely that they will need their nails trimmed on a regular basis.
 
Few dogs enjoy this, so it is unlikely to be your favourite shared activity, but regular handling of the feet, weekly nail trims and lots of rewards will help to make the process easier and less daunting to both you and your pet.
 
Ensure that you hold your dog's paw gently yet firmly to prevent slipping, and always use clippers such as Ancol Nail Clippers which have a guard to help prevent serious accidents.
 
It is common to cause a small bleed when clipping nails, especially with darker nails, so keep some first aid gear on hand to stem any bleeding and reduce the trauma to both yourself and your dog.
 
If your dog is likely to resist nail trimming, enlist the help of another calm person to help with holding the dog as still as possible.