Things You'll Need:
- Dog brush or comb Heartworm medication Flea and tick treatment Rubber bath mat Hand-held shower head or big sponge Mild shampoo Wet washcloth Pet nail clippers Emery board or nail file Cotton ball Ear solution such as Zymox (see resources)
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Step 1
Brush or comb your dog's hair. Dogs with short, thin hair need to be brushed once a week. Dogs with short, thicker hair require brushing twice a week. And long-haired dogs need to be brushed every day. Brushing removes dirt and distributes natural oils from the skin through the coat, which prevents tangles.
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Step 2
While brushing, check for ticks and fleas. Once a month, after brushing the dog, apply a flea and tick treatment such as Advantage or Frontline. Then give the dog heartworm medication such as Heartguard.
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Step 3
Bathe your dog at least once every three months. To do this, brush the dog to remove excess hair and loose dirt. Place a rubber mat in the tub so the dog won't slip during the bath. Run 3 to 4 inches of warm water into the tub. Use a hand-held shower head or big sponge to get the dog wet, being careful to avoid getting water in the ears or eyes. Wash the dog by gently rubbing in a gentle shampoo. Rinse thoroughly, avoiding the ears and eyes. Dry the dog with a large towel or hair dryer set on low, but be careful as the noise may startle the dog.
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Step 4
Check the dog's anal glands. If you've seen your dog "scooting" across the floor or if the dog is prone to loose stools, the anal glands may need to be expressed. To check, lift up the tail and place your fingers at the 5 o'clock and 7 o'clock positions around the anus. Using the tip of your index finger and the pad of your thumb, feel around for the glands. If you find them easily, odds are good they are impacted. If that is the case, place a paper towel or warm washcloth over the anus and gently press the swollen gland and squeeze between your finger and thumb moving your hand upward toward the rectum. Repeat this movement until no fluid is excreted. Wash the dog's anal area thoroughly with mild soap and warm water.
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Step 5
Clip the dog's nails using nail trimmers once every three months. Cut just beyond the point where the nails begin to curve, being careful to avoid the quick as this can cause the nail to bleed. The quick is pink and the vein running through it can be seen through the nail, unless your dog has black nails -- in which case, just trim off the very tips. After clipping, smooth any rough edges with a nail file or emery board.
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Step 6
Look inside the dog's ears. Dark, waxy build up is a sign of ear mites. To clean the ears, wipe any visible debris away with a cotton ball. Add an ear solution such as Zymox, filling the dog's ear canal. Then gently massage the ear from the outside, wiping up any excess. Repeat until the dog has no ear debris for 24 hours.
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Step 7
Clean the dog's teeth by wrapping your index finger in a wet washcloth. Squeeze toothpaste onto the cloth and rub the cloth against the dog's teeth. Make sure you rub both sides of each tooth and don't forget the teeth in back. Rinse the washcloth and dip it clean water. Rub each tooth with the wet washcloth to rinse the teeth. Repeat the rinsing two times.
