How to Groom a Dog

1. How to Groom a Dog By: Stephanie Sullivan

2. Step 1 • Get you’re workplace ready for the grooming process, then put the dog on a leash and take it for a walk so it can go to the bathroom before entering the tub.

3. Step 2 • Put the dog on the grooming table and brush him out before beginning the bath. This helps eliminate knots and remove debris Slicker brush

4. Step 3 • Bring the dog in and lead it up the ramp to the tub. If you have to pick the dog up and there is no help around, grab it under the neck and under the butt and lift it over. If there is help, have another person grab an end of the dog and lift it into the tub with you. Holding point 2 Holding point

5. Step 4 • After putting the dog in the tub, put the grooming noose around the dog’s neck and take off it’s collar/ leash. Put cotton balls in the dog’s ears to keep the water from going in them. Grooming noose

6. Step 5 • If it is the dog’s first bath, introduce them to the water and then wet him down starting at the top and get all the hard to reach places.

7. Step 6 • Put shampoo in your hand and rub it into the dogs hair/ fur. Make sure you wash it all out so the dog does not get a skin rash from the excess soap residue.

8. Step 7 • Rub conditioner into their fur/ hair and wash it all out. Washing it out for awhile is good because you can get all of the conditioner out and any left over shampoo that might still be on them. NOTE: make sure you wash the dog’s face, also.

9. Step 8 • Get a towel and towel dry him as best as you can before removing him from the tub.

10. Step 9 • Take the grooming noose off and remove him from the tub. Put him on the grooming table, put back on the grooming noose. (TIP: put a towel down so they don’t slip)

11. Step 10 • Begin blow drying him, make sure he is completely dry, even the feet! • If there is a situation where the dog is terrified of the blow dryer then towel dry him as best as possible.

12. Step 11 • After he is dry, take the cotton balls out of his ears and use ear powder to pluck the excess hair out. Then use ear cleaning liquid and a cotton ball to rub out and clean his ear.

13. Step 12 • Ask a person for help to flip the dog into a lateral recumbency position, either left or right of your choice, and restrain him while you begin the next step. Make sure you put your fingers between the dogs legs so you don’t rub their bones together. If the dog is nervous and trying to turn around to bite you, then you can roll up a towel and put it between your arm and their head. The last option you want to do is muzzle the dog.

14. Step 13 • Use plier type nail clippers to cut the nails of a large dog (for small dogs, use guillotine nail clippers) you can see the quick of a dog in a white nail easily; it is the pink “line” towards the back of the nail. In a dog with dark nails, it is harder to see it, you just have to cut off little by little until you see a tiny bit of white, then you stop. NOTE: don’t panic if you accidently cut the dog’s nails too far because you can use Styptic powder to clot the blood.

15. Step 14 • When you are done, brush out the dog again and put his leash on and return him to the owner or back to the holding kennel.

16. Step 15 • Clean up your workspace and get ready for the next dog to arrive, then repeat the steps