Maintaining A Clean Home
It is important to maintain a clean and healthy home whether you have a dog or not.; Your furry friend will make sure to make this quite a painstaking task if you dont take the time to brush it regularly and remove any excess dirt and loose hair that can leave your house in quite a state. In hindsight, it may be advisable to invest in a vacuum cleaner if you dont already have one!
My Dog Has A Long Coat How Often Should I Wash Him
A long-coated dog will need a good brushing about once or twice a week to keep the dirt out of their fur and skin troubles at bay. You will also want to brush your dog on his stomach and under his legs where the fur is shortest. These areas become dirty quickly and can cause skin problems if you do not keep them clean. You should brush your dog before you bathe him and make sure that all the extra fur is gone. If you give him a bath after he already has a lot of fur thats been brushed off, this will be very bad for his skin and fur.
So there you have it! Make sure your dogs coat is brushed before their baths, make sure they sweat out any excess water when they go outside to play, and make sure you arent using too much soap or shampoo on them. Good luck taking care of your dogs fur and skin!
Use A Grooming Spray To Loosen Clumps Of Fur If Youre Having Issues With Brushing Or Want To Lessen Smells
The brush should glide easily after a quick spray down with a grooming solution. This also helps give your dog more comfort as the spray makes hair smooth and soft, so its easier to brush.
If your puppy or dog doesnt like the spray noise, try spraying the grooming solution into your hands and run it through their fur. This Vets Best Moisture Mist Conditioner;has the added bonus of helping with dry, flakey skin which many German Shepherds are prone to have.
Dont spray the solution near their face and avoid over saturating their fur if its cold. Use your rake brush to work the solution into their skin and dislodge dirt and hard to brush areas.
If your dog has smells or patches of spots you want to clean and deodorize, then use a specialty cleaning wipe that takes away unwanted scents and removes mud when a full bath isnt in order .
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How To Wash Your German Shepherd
Washing your German shepherd could be a very tricky task or it could be a piece of cake! It all depends on the temperament and personality of your pup.
When you begin to wash your dog, use warm water. Do not use hot water even if you like to shower with hot water.
You should begin by thoroughly soaking your dog. Begin to lather up with some dog-safe shampoo. You are going to want to build the shampoo into a rich, thick lather that is sudsy.
Work your fingers as deeply as you can into the fur, trying to reach the skin. Once all the shampoo is foaming, and you have done your best to scrub every inch of your German shepherds body, go ahead and give them a rinse.
After all the soap is out of their fur, you can either dry them off or continue their bath. Lastly, if you use a flea and tick treatment that washes off in the water, you should make sure that you reapply that treatment to your dog to keep them safe from all types of nasty parasites and critters.
How Often Should You Wash A German Shepherd Puppy
Many factors go into determining when to bathe your German Shepherd. One of the most critical factors is your dogs age. The younger the dog, the more frequently they need to cleanse because their coat is not yet fully developed to protect them, making it difficult for them to release oil.
If you have a puppy, its good practice to give him or her a bath every week or two while he or she is still young. Once they reach adulthood and their coat becomes thicker and more oily, they will only need to be washed once every 8-12 weeks if they live in milder weather conditions. Dogs with short, smooth coats also require less frequent baths than those with long, thick fur.
Be sure to use a puppy shampoo or just warm water since you are bathing and grooming them slightly more frequently.
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The Dangers Of Frequent Washing
The absence of skin oilsarising from frequent washing can cause dandruff and itching, dull coats, andhair loss.
Hair Loss
Sebum has antimicrobial properties. Frequent washing strips the sebum and this protectionaway, thus exposing the German Shepherd to diseases like ringworm, a fungal infection that causes hair loss.
Frictional hair losswill also arise as the German Shepherd continues to scratch its itching skin.The lack of sebum also causes the hairs to be more brittle. Accordingly, theywill break off easily.
Dandruff and Itching
Another function ofsebum is to keep the skin moist and pliable. Sebum acts as a barrier to prevent water from leavingthe skin; in its absence, the dogs skin becomes dehydrated.
In extreme cases,seborrhea may set in. Seborrhea is thecondition where the dogs skin produces too much sebum; the condition ischaracterized by the infamous wet-dog smell.
Seborrhea may betriggered by an overcompensation of the skin in its bid to replenish its lostoils. It may also be due to yeast infection stemming from the absence of the protectivemicrobial barrier.
Dull Coats
Sebum is a mixture offatty acids that lend sheen to the German Shepherds coat. In the absence ofsebum, the coat will lose some of its shine.
Bathing A Dog Is A Matter Of Your Dogs Comfort
One important thing that you will need to consider when it comes to bathing your dog is whether they enjoy being washed.
This means taking into consideration their moods, body type, coat length, etc. I know some dogs that absolutely hate baths.
This is okay, and you should not feel bad for them. Also, there are certain dogs that just love being washed. This is also okay!
However, I will say that if your dog is not a fan of baths, try to give them one every month or two. There are so many ways to make bathing less unpleasant for your dog. There are always options that you can try!
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How To Groom Your German Shepherd At Home
Grooming double-coated dogs like German Shepherds can be quiet a challenge than their single-coated counterparts. So how to groom your German Shepherds at home? Do the following:
How Often Should You Clip Dogs Nails
How often you need to clip your dogs nails will be determined by your dogs lifestyle. For example, if your dog runs on a lot of pavement, gravel, or rock, your dog may grind his nails down enough naturally so that they dont need to be clipped very often.
In general, you should check your dogs nails at least once per week. Handle any broken or split nails immediately. You will want to use a dog nail clipper .
Be careful not to cut the quick in your dogs nails because your dog will start bleeding and it could be painful.
*Check out my full article on the best nail clippers for German Shepherds to learn more.
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Best Brush For German Shepherds: Easy Owners Guide
Luckily, you only need a handful of grooming tools to brush your GSD.
The Shepherds fur generally doesnt mat and tangle.
The hair can clump, but combs out easily and doesnt need harsh tools to maintain a healthy coat. However, there is a rare occasion you might find a tangle from a seed, stick, or other items that need special attention with a comb to remove.
While theyre known as a high shedding breed, their coats are low odor and are easily maintained through a brushing routine that you can start when theyre puppies
Right at home!
Use this guide to check that you have the best brushes for grooming your German Shepherd.
Tool Name | |
---|---|
Makes brushing easier for puppies | Simply brush your puppy with the glove and they think youre petting them |
Here are the best brushes for German Shepherds, even puppies.
Do German Shepherd Dogs Need To Be Groomed Regularly
Considering to own a German Shepherd and need to know how often do a German Shepherd Dog need to be groomed or should you bathe a German Shepherd?According to dog experts, German Shepherd Dogs score out of 5 in the scale of dog breeds that need grooming regularly.
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Other Niceties And Necessities
- Antiseptic liquid such as Nolvasan is a must-have for dogs who are prone to ear infections like German shepherds.
- Corn starch is good for working out mats and tangles.
- Cotton balls are useful for small details such as cleaning the inside of the dogs ear flap, wiping tear stains, and eye gunk. Putting a pinch of cotton inside the dogs ears is useful as well to keep the soap out.
- Dont throw old towels away. Your worn and torn towel is still useful for drying off your dog or wiping off his muddy paws. Also, you can use it to secure his footing in the bathtub.
- A spray bottle makes brushing a dogs hair easy.
- A tweezer is excellent for removing ticks.
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Nailing Down The Truth
Dogs nails are always growing. If they walk on pavement or gravel often, their nails may get ground down from those surfaces. German Shepherds nails are usually black, so it is difficult to clip their nails without hitting the nerve.
The goal is to cut the nails down without hitting the nerve in the nail. Nails that are too long can make your dogs foot align incorrectly when they walk.
This can lead to foot and joint issues later on. When clipping their nails, high praise in a calm environment will give you the best results for them to get through it in the most positive way.
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What To Do If You Lose Your German Shepherd
If your German Shepherd Dog or any other pet has gone missing and it does not have an identification tag with a phone number, you can:2. List the lost pet on the .3. Visit the local vet clinics to see if someone has brought in your missing pet.4. Call the RSPCA or Visit the RSPCA Lost Pets website and complete a Lost Pet Report.5. Visit Lost Pets Pages of Animal Pounds.
Tips On Grooming Your German Shepherd
- Moderate Maintenance:Â;The German Shepherd Dog has a thick, medium-length double coat that sheds, a lot and constantly, so much that even his fans call him a âGerman shedder.â The undercoat sheds heavily in spring and fall, and the German Shepherd must be brushed and bathed frequently during that time to get out all the loose hair. The rest of the year, weekly brushing is generally enough to keep him clean.
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Do German Shepherds Like Baths
German shepherds love to be clean. German shepherds are always up for the challenge of a bath! Theyre such sweet, devoted dogs that theyll do anything you ask. Such an obedient breed makes baths so much easier.
*You WILL get wet! They like to shake off the water out of their coats, so a bath for them means a shower down on you!
My GSD, Nero, loves his bath and struts proudly, knowing he is freshly groomed.
Get Your German Shepherd Used To The Tub
Do not start your dog bathing straight away. In the beginning, let him see the bathroom and the tub as a regular space like any other part of the house.
Take your dog regularly to the bath and put it in the tub without filling in the water.
;Every time you put the dog in the tub give him a treat. In this way, it will know if he goes into the tub, he will get a treat.
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How To Brush Your German Shepherds
For short-haired German Shepherds, you would want to use a bristle brush;as for a medium to long-haired German Shepherds you would want to get a pin brush.
Start by brushing your dog from the back and go forward to remove loose hair and any debris from the outer coat. Then use an undercoat rake to remove any dead hair or tangles from the undercoat.
Remember when using brush, comb, or undercoat rake, you must never use them against the direction of the coat growth.
If there are stubborn mats in the inner or outer coat, you can use a de-shedder comb or detangler sprays to get rid of them.
How Often Should You Bathe Your German Shepherd
As stated above, its recommended to only bathe your German Shepherd once every three to four months This frequency is more than enough to keep your GSD clean and some owners even reduce this down to only twice per year. There isnt a magical number, but the fewer the times, the better. This was certainly the case with my German Shepherd, and Ive only heard the same from other owners too.If your GSD every becomes unexpectedly dirty, or even regularly dirty, you can use water to rinse her off as many times as you wish. Its the shampoo that needs limited use.
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Bathing Tips For German Shepherds The Wrong Way To Bathe Your Dog
Keep in mind, there are certain things that you should not do for your dog. You will want to make sure that you do not accidentally harm or damage your dogs skin due to improper bathing.
When washing your dog, always make sure that they are completely dry before petting them. If you wash them without first drying them off, this will spray water all over the place and onto the floor.
Also, do not use too much shampoo or soap when washing your dog. They will become very sticky and feel slimy if you end up using way more than is necessary.
You should also keep in mind that German Shepherds need baths and groomings on a regular basis sometimes.
If you take your dog out into the field or woods, he will most likely get dirty and gross. If not on a daily basis, then at least once a week.
If youre worried about how much it would cost to bathe your dog, I wouldnt worry. Many people dont realize that there are groomers who can come to your house and wash them for a much cheaper price.
Some people do not realize this, but dogs can have very sensitive skin and fur! If you use too much soap or shampoo on your dogs skin or fur without rinsing it off completely, this could cause a number of problems with their hair and skin.
There have been many cases where people have accidentally caused an infection to their dogs skin and fur because they did not properly soak off the soap or shampoo.
Taking Care Of Your German Shepherds Toenails
If your German Shepherds nails get in the way of their movement, this is a good time to get them cut. You can either do them yourself or take them to a vet or a groomer if you dont feel confident.
It is important to be careful when you are cutting your German Shepherds nails, as inside each nail is what is called the quick which is extremely sensitive pink flesh that holds the blood vessels and the nerves that go into the nails.
If you cut into the quick, this will cause bleeding and extreme pain for your dog. It will also make it incredibly difficult to cut their nails in the future.
To cut your German Shepherds nails, use a sterile pair of scissors to avoid infection and gently trim the very ends of the nails off this might take longer, but it is better to cut off too little than too much.
After cutting the nails, give your German Shepherd a treat so that they have positive associations with the experience.
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Grooming During The Shedding Season
German Shepherds are sometimes called, German Shedders!
That will tell you all you need to know about their grooming requirements during the shedding season!
When your dog is shedding in the spring and fall, youll need to brush him every day.
Heavy shedding happens in spring to allow the dog to get rid of his winter coat so that he wont overheat during the warmer weather.
In the fall, the lightweight summer fur is shed to make way for the dogs thick winter coat.
Indoor-dwelling German Shepherds may not shed as heavily as outdoor dogs.
Thats because your central heating and living in your house will keep your dog nice and warm, negating the need for the thick underfur that an outdoor living dog would need.
Many German Shepherd owners report that their long-haired dog sheds less than his short-haired relatives. But why is that?
Well, the reason for this odd phenomenon is that the German Shepherds fluffy undercoat gets trapped by the longer outer fur as it sheds.
That means less hair on your furniture, but it also makes your dog more susceptible to developing mats in his coat.
Also, although a short-haired German Shepherd is less prone to matting, you will find more of his hair on your clothes and carpets.
Therefore, both long and short-haired German Shepherds require plenty of grooming, although for different reasons.