A Tip on Grooming the Older Dog
A TIP ON GROOMING THE OLDER DOG
(WHICH WILL BE ENJOYED BY THE YOUNGER DOG TOO!)
By Dianne B. Phelps with the Flower Power Dogs
In my household, I have two dogs living with me. They are both beautiful
Labrador Retrievers. One is my almost six-year-old working yellow Lab guide
dog, Hibiscus who loves to be brushed and the other is my almost
thirteen-year-old retired black Lab guide dog, Primrose who has always just
sort of tolerated grooming because she had to.
My usual practice is to use a sleeker type brush to get at the deep dead fur
and pull it up and then, finish with a softer brush to smooth out the coat
and brush away the loose fur we have pulled up. Periodically, I also like to
use the furminator to remove deep dead fur. I like to use a spray on coat
conditioner to help keep the dog clean and freshen the fur.
Over the past few months, I noticed that my old dog was having more trouble
with these grooming measures, even developing the beginnings of hot spots as
a result of the sleeker or furminator scratching the skin. As with older
humans, I expect the older dog gets fragile skin which is more subject to
being unintentionally scratched and breaking. In an attempt to solve this
issue for Primrose, I went back to the use of an old grooming tool which
also helps to pull up dead fur known as the ZoomGroom. This grooming tool is
like a brush, but instead of bristles, it has cone-shaped projections on the
side which is placed in contact with the dog's fur and skin. Using it in
circular motions through the dog's coat, massages the skin, bringing
circulation back and also brings up the loose dead fur which then can be
removed with a soft brush as you brush the fur back into position. I like to
spray on my coat conditioner before I start the procedure to help soothe the
skin as I work. This helps freshen the coat and feels nice to the dog.
Though I still may have to use the stiffer brush and Furminator which are
more harsh measures from time to time with heavy shedding, I feel this has
made grooming way more pleasant for Primrose, still keeping her clean and
fresh. Hibiscus also enjoys the softer approach to grooming, and both of my
dogs remain absolutely beautiful.
(WHICH WILL BE ENJOYED BY THE YOUNGER DOG TOO!)
By Dianne B. Phelps with the Flower Power Dogs
In my household, I have two dogs living with me. They are both beautiful
Labrador Retrievers. One is my almost six-year-old working yellow Lab guide
dog, Hibiscus who loves to be brushed and the other is my almost
thirteen-year-old retired black Lab guide dog, Primrose who has always just
sort of tolerated grooming because she had to.
My usual practice is to use a sleeker type brush to get at the deep dead fur
and pull it up and then, finish with a softer brush to smooth out the coat
and brush away the loose fur we have pulled up. Periodically, I also like to
use the furminator to remove deep dead fur. I like to use a spray on coat
conditioner to help keep the dog clean and freshen the fur.
Over the past few months, I noticed that my old dog was having more trouble
with these grooming measures, even developing the beginnings of hot spots as
a result of the sleeker or furminator scratching the skin. As with older
humans, I expect the older dog gets fragile skin which is more subject to
being unintentionally scratched and breaking. In an attempt to solve this
issue for Primrose, I went back to the use of an old grooming tool which
also helps to pull up dead fur known as the ZoomGroom. This grooming tool is
like a brush, but instead of bristles, it has cone-shaped projections on the
side which is placed in contact with the dog's fur and skin. Using it in
circular motions through the dog's coat, massages the skin, bringing
circulation back and also brings up the loose dead fur which then can be
removed with a soft brush as you brush the fur back into position. I like to
spray on my coat conditioner before I start the procedure to help soothe the
skin as I work. This helps freshen the coat and feels nice to the dog.
Though I still may have to use the stiffer brush and Furminator which are
more harsh measures from time to time with heavy shedding, I feel this has
made grooming way more pleasant for Primrose, still keeping her clean and
fresh. Hibiscus also enjoys the softer approach to grooming, and both of my
dogs remain absolutely beautiful.