New deadly diseases and a shortage of life-saving medication means it’s more important than ever to make sure your dog is ready for summer, Australia’s top grooming expert has warned.
WAHL master groomer Emily Myatt is calling on all dog owners to take urgent steps to keep their pets fit and healthy.
“A year of near continuous rain has led to a huge spike in the number of paralysis ticks, and vets are worried because there’s a shortage of the anti-serum that’s used to treat the condition,” she says.
“Plus, there have been cases of the deadly bacterial disease leptospirosis in NSW and the Northern Territory. Often the only time that a danger is detected is while the dog is being brushed or washed.”
And surveys show that most dogs aren’t groomed as often as they need to be.
The award-winning TV dog groomer has come up with seven tips to get your pooch summer ready, and make brushing, clipping and washing as stress-free as possible…
How to groom your dog
1. Wear them out first
Before you plonk them into a bath, take them out for a long walk as standing still can be physically challenging for some dogs, particularly puppies. If they’re bursting with energy, then the dog won’t be the only one getting soaked!
2. Wash away the dust
Dogs tend to need more baths in the summer as their coats are likely to get very dusty, sandy and sun damaged. And if they love swimming in a pool, or at the beach, the chlorine and salt can also make their fur dry and irritable.
Make sure you brush them thoroughly first with a brush that’s suitable for their coat. And don’t think the coat is fine if you can run your fingers through it – you won’t find ticks unless you use a dog comb or de-matter. De-tangling sprays can also be a big help.
3. Pump up the reggae!
Many dogs are nervous about bath time, so it’s vital you do all you can to put them at ease. Studies have shown that the music that relaxes them the most is reggae, so line up a few Bob Marley classics before you fill the tub.
Researchers have also found that the smell of coconut has the same effect, so using a lightly scented and gentle shampoo such as WAHL’s Oatmeal Shampoo, which contains real coconut, is a great option.
If your pooch is still stressed, then use a shampoo that contains conditioner so the experience is over more quickly.
4. Go waterless
If not even a chorus of No Woman No Cry calms down your dog, then a waterless shampoo can do just as good a job as a bath. A range of spray-on and foam options is available, including delicately scented formulas that don’t even need to be rinsed off that freshen the coat in between washes.
5. Spread on the peanut butter
A clever hack for either clipping a dog’s nails or giving it a soaking is to distract it with something yummy! I sound mad, but if you put on a bike helmet or cover your hair with cling wrap and smear on some peanut butter of Vegemite then, you can get to work while your furry friend licks away happily.
Nails need to be cut with a specialist nail clipper if you can hear them tapping on the floor when they walk. And beware hot pavements – pads burn very easily.
6. Get the right clipper
Some breeds will overheat in summer if their coats aren’t clipped properly – but it’s very easy to make the situation worse if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Firstly, get a clipper that’s suitable for your dog. I always use WAHL clippers as they have a great range for different coat types. For example, small, fluffy breeds like their coat to be about 2.5cm long.
If you’re unsure, you can download a free comprehensive guide here.
Some breeds such as black Labradors have a double coat and will actually get hotter if you hack back the shiny top coat so it can’t reflect the heat or if areas of skin become exposed.
Clipping outside is less messy so a cordless clipper can be a good buy. Start off clipping with the lay of the fur and then, if you need to, carefully clip against the lay.
7. Don’t forget the ears
Ear infections are common in the hotter months, especially if the animals have been swimming or charging through dense undergrowth. Having pet scissors will let you trim hair around the ears and other delicate areas of the face.
