How to Brush Your Dog

A dog needs her coat brushed to keep it shiny, free of dirt, knots and fleas and to minimize shedding. When you brush your dog on a regular basis, you gain her trust and can spot lumps or skin irritations before they become painful or dangerous for your beloved companion. Read on to learn how to brush your dog.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Place your dog on the floor or a grooming table. Secure your dog with a leash or table clip to make sure he can't dart away or jump off and get hurt.

2. Use a bristle brush and brush the dog's entire body, from front to back, working in the opposite direction of the hair or fur growth. This helps knock out some dirt and lets you see any knots in the coat.

3. Brush from back to front, this time in the same direction the hair or fur grows. Go easy around the rectal area because this is a sensitive area for dogs.

4. Go back over any spots with mats and tangles using a slicker brush. Focus on the ears, legs, tail and between the toes because these are common areas for knots.

5. Get a special flea comb if your dog has a flea problem. For maximum benefit, use it after the bristle brush. Pull the comb down and keep the flat part of the comb against the coat and the teeth side toward you.

Tips & Warnings

• For dogs with thick coats, try line brushing. Instead of brushing from front to back, brush in a horizontal line, from the belly to the back, pulling up a row of hair with the brush and continuing to move up until you get to the middle of the dog's back.