Grooming My Giant Dog In NYC, by Doctor Mike on YouTube. 11 min 11 s.
- Video length
- 11 min 11 s
- Time to do it
- 2 to 3 hours
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Brush your dog all over before the bath to remove loose hair and mats. Work in sections from the back toward the head.
Wet the coat fully with warm water, then apply dog shampoo and work it into the fur down to the skin. Rinse until the water runs clear.
Towel dry the worst of the water, then use a high-velocity pet blow dryer on low heat to push water out of the coat. Keep the nozzle moving.
Comb through the coat in small sections while it dries. Use a metal comb to check for tangles and mats near the skin.
Trim the hair around the paw pads and between the toes with pet scissors. Keep the blade flat and away from the skin.
Clip the nails a small amount at a time, stopping before the pink quick. Trim the dewclaws too if your dog has them.
Brush the teeth with dog toothpaste and a soft pet toothbrush. Lift the lip and clean the back molars as well.
Squeeze pet ear cleaner into the ear canal, massage the base, then wipe the outer ear with a cotton pad. Never push anything into the canal.
Give the final haircut with clippers or scissors, working with the lie of the coat. Trim the body, legs and sanitary areas evenly.
Tips and common mistakes
Never use human shampoo on a dog, since it strips the coat and can irritate the skin.
Dry a thick-coated dog completely, because damp fur close to the skin can cause hot spots and mats.
Cut nails in tiny slivers and keep styptic powder nearby in case you nick the quick.
Take breaks if your dog gets stressed, and reward calm behavior with treats.
Questions
How often should I groom a large fluffy dog?
A full bath and trim every few weeks works for thick-coated breeds, with brushing several times a week in between. Nails and ears may need checking more often.
Can I use a human hairdryer on my dog?
A human dryer gets too hot and can burn the skin. Use a pet dryer on a cool or low heat setting and keep it moving.
What if my dog hates the blow dryer?
Start with short sessions and low power, and pair it with treats. If your dog stays fearful, let a professional groomer handle the drying.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
