All dogs, whether their coats are long or short, need to be brushed every couple of days. When done often, brushing is an enjoyable therapy that relaxes a dog and gives them pleasure.

Brushing the coat of a dog with long hair eliminates tangles and reduces shedding. It also distributes the oils in a dog's coat to relieve dry skin. Without consistent brushing, a dog's long hair can get matted and pull on their skin. This can cause their hair to pull out and leave bare patches.

Brushing the coat of a dog with short hair stimulates their skin to produce more natural oils to combat skin dryness and flaking. After brushing your dog's coat, massage their muscles to distribute their natural oils to their chest and belly.

Dogs who are bathed regularly have healthier coats and skin. Seasonal weather conditions can irritate your dog's skin and make them itchy. A soothing bath can clean and moisturize your dog's skin and coat. If your dog has ticks or fleas, a medicated bath can help to rid them of these pests.

In the summer, your dog may wear down their nails on concrete while walking and playing. During the winter, your dog may not get as much exercise as they do during other seasons of the year, so they may need to have their nails clipped.

A dog's nails should only be clipped with a dog nail clipper that does not compress or squeeze their nails. The hairs between a dog's toes and nails should also be trimmed so that when they walk there is nothing between their foot pads and the ground they walk on.   

To keep your dog's teeth free of tartar and plaque, you should brush your dog's teeth every day. Use a canine toothbrush and canine toothpaste that is flavored to appeal to your dog. You can get these products online or at a pet supply store.

Lift your dog's upper lip and start brushing the outside of their top teeth in the back of their mouth. Brush in a circular motion from back to front. Move to the inside surface of their top teeth and brush in the same way from back to front. Next, pull down your dog's lower lip and brush their lower teeth as you did their top teeth.

Wet two cotton balls with a canine ear cleaning rinse and gently wipe the outside flap of each ear. With two more cotton balls, gently wipe canine ear cleansing rinse on the inside of each of your dog's ears without wiping too deeply.

Examine your dog's ears as you clean them to see that they are free of ear wax. Dry your dog's ears with a soft cloth to absorb any residual moisture. You can get dog ear cleaning solution online or from a pet supply store.

To provide your dog with the best professional grooming services, bring your dog to Eli's Friends. We can gently groom your dog to keep them healthy and comfortable.

While grooming your dog, we will inspect them thoroughly and will alert you to any condition that could become a future problem. You can then discuss these issues with your veterinarian. The more you have your dog groomed, the happier and healthier they will be.