Your Labrador relies on a healthy coat to keep him warm during the cold winter nights and cool in the hot summer afternoons. If you groom your Lab too often, then you can actually strip these oils out of the coat and reverse the good work you were accomplishing.
One final reason to groom your Lab has to do with building a solid relationship of trust with your dog. The more time you spend with your dog, the stronger your relationship will be with him. Regularly grooming your dog helps him get accustomed to being touched by people. This, in turn, makes it less likely that he will react poorly when a vet has to handle him or when children pull on his tail. For more information on socializing a Labrador puppy and why it is so important, check out this article: Why You Should Socialize a Labrador Puppy.
Over a century of breeding has given us a dog that is low maintenance. Why would we ignore that fact and make owning a Labrador more difficult that it needs to be?
Every part of grooming bathing, brushing, trimming nails, etc. There are other factors that you will need to take into consideration. Some of those include:. The good news is that you do not have to groom Labradors as often as you do other dogs. Most healthy Labs are fine with very limited grooming. Brushing your Lab out is the most important part of grooming. Every time you brush your dog out, you get an opportunity to see if he has any new injuries or sore spots. When you brush out your Lab, start by checking things out with your hands.
Gently massage his big muscle groups and pay attention to how he responds. Are there any spots that seem tender or sore? Make sure that you avoid these when you grab the brush. If your dog seems really sore, then you might want to take a trip to the vet just to check things out. It is shocking how much loose hair you will get out of that mobile Louisville Slugger. Grooming puppies is not as necessary as it is with their older counterparts.
Your puppy is not as likely to end up stinking up the room as your 8-year-old Lab. You will probably also keep your puppy on a shorter leash which is going to keep him from getting into nasty things. The socialization process is extremely critical to make sure that your puppy is ready for the regular parts of his life—this will include grooming.
The earlier you get your puppy used to the grooming process the more likely your dog will take to grooming without any problems as an adult. It is probably best to limit your grooming sessions to one or two times a week, but only for a few minutes each time. Each time you practice grooming your puppy, try a different area of his body. Short sessions are the key to success in the socialization. As your puppy grows, you can extend the sessions a little here and a little there.
Eventually, you will have a grown Labrador that happily sits while you go through a full grooming session. Fall and spring will be the worst shedding times for your Lab.
If you want to limit the shedding, you should probably brush him out at least three to four times a week. There are also de-shedding shampoos and conditioners available that will help you fight the hairy battle. Really, you might have to do some spot checks here and there. This also gives you the chance to find a shampoo that prevents fleas, ticks, dry skin, odor, shedding, or any other issue your pup experiences. Be sure to select a shampoo that is moisturizing, gentle, and alcohol-free.
Do be cautioned that a Dremmel will take time to get your pet used to, and if mishandled can cause as much or more damage than standard nail trimmers. Many experts agree that the guillotine style trimmers are easier to use , while scissor-type ones are best for toenails that have gotten too long to the point where they curl inward already.
In light-nailed dogs, the quick is pink and easy to see. After experience you will get a feel for where the quick is even in dark nailed dogs and be able to take off the right amount. Regularly making time to groom your Lab is one of the best things you can do for both your relationship and monitoring their overall health. Look out for more in-depth articles coming very soon on every aspect of grooming your Lab, with easy to follow step-by-step instructions.
For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. Hi your page on grooming section is very much informative.. Since am gonna keep him inside the home all the time except potty and walking, i would like to know how often he need a bath. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Author Recent Posts. Jet Perreault. Jet M. Perreault, a professional dog groomer of 18 years, hobby-farm owner and freelance writer, graduated from Michigan State University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in English with an emphasis on creative writing. She has spent time on the dog show circuit, working groomer trade shows and managing grooming salons and pet shops as well as breeding Miniature Pinschers.
She lives near Lansing, Michigan, with her family, four pooches and many other four-leggers. Keeping nails short helps maintain healthy well-arched toes. The hair between the toes on the pads needs trimming, too. If not, your dog will slip on slick surfaces when walking. Use canine scissors—either blunt-nosed or sharp for trimming the hair on the pads.
All dogs need oral care. You can also use canine dental wipes. Periodically your Lab will require professional cleaning, so check with your veterinarian. This makes them a target for infections. To prevent them from becoming serious, check and clean excessive wax buildup. Your breeder or veterinarian can demonstrate how to safely clean the ears and keep them debris-free. If you notice any yellow or green discharge, notify your veterinarian. Otherwise, wipe them with a clean cloth after a romp in the field or a swim in the lake.
For skin and health protection, keep your dog tick and flea free. Compare Breeds Compare up to 5 different breeds side by side. Dog Name Finder Browse our extensive library of dog names for inspiration. Find out the best and worst foods for your dog and which to avoid. Additional Resources AKC. Clubs Offering: Training Classes.
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