Grooming For My 8 Week Old Cavalier Puppy

[happystarz]

Just some general questions about grooming my blenheim cavalier puppy. What kind of grooming tool should i be using? How often do i need to brush his hair? Bath him? Anything else i need to do for his coat?

[Gretel]

Not much you need to do at this age. Maybe just give him a gentle brush over with a soft brush to get him used to it. He can have a bath whenever he needs one - maybe once a fortnight - depends how dirty he gets! I like to use Aloveen shampoo and conditioner. It is gentle and smells nice As he gets more coat you will need to comb through the areas that knot such as behind his ears and the trousers and of course his ears. A snood is a good idea to keep his ears clean when he eats but you don't need that till he is older and has some length to the ears.

[Dogsfevr]

Now is the most crucial training time for grooming.

Grooming should never be done on the floor or your knee.The best place is a table or on the washing machine/similiar with a non slip mat placed down.

At this age the more you practise the better they except it when the coat does start to grow,many make the mistake thinking theres no hair at present so they dont do anything then suddenly at 10 months they have dog thats a pain to groom.

You need to teach the pup to stand,it will wriggle at first but be very patient,consistant but above all you are the one in charge.If you have someone to help just ask them to hold the pups head whilst you brush the body telling it to stand,left each leg up & brush thoroughly & brush the hair upwards not downwards.Check between the toes & always comb between the toes.When brushing the tail & someone is helping get them to support the tummy whilst you lift the tail up & brush,most cavies hate this are being brushed as there not trained early enough.Ideally wonce the pup has the idea it should be able to be brushed on its own with the occasional assistance if need be.

Its important not to have running converstaion,use very set words "stand" "stay"good ****.Also make sure you wipe the dogs eyes even if not mucky,teaching all these things early make life great latter on.

Dont brush whilst the dog is asleep or very hungry,pick a time where the pup is worn out but still alret to learning

The tools a very gentle slicker brush(cat ones are best ) & a comb combo style fine one end,fuller the other.

You can buy a lice comb form the chemist & do his top coat with this weekly to help remove the crappy coat & to get a nice top coat.

The key is to put the time in now & dont have the attitude my dog wont do it,your dog will do anything you want if you train it to do it.