Grooming
Nails:
Nail maintenance is extremely important for the overall health and wellbeing of your dog. When nails are too long it can actually change the entire shape of the paw. This can lead to arthritis, of not only the paw, but all the joints and back. Dogs with nails that are not maintained are also more likely to injure their backs. Good dog husbandry starts with the paws.
When a dog is standing, the nails should not be in direct contact with the floor, nor should you be able to hear a lot of nail clicking while they walk.
There are several Facebook groups and websites for help and support. Dog Nail Maintenance, Nail Maintenance for Dogs , Trimming your dogs nails, and The Importance of Nail Maintenance.
I trim my dogs nails at least once a week, or more if I start hearing “clicking”. The more it becomes part of your normal routine the easier it is.
If your dog has sever anxiety, you can try a nail sling, calming treats or have a groomer help you.
Tools
Paw hair:
The bottom of a dogs paw is meant to grip the ground. When a dogs hair covers the those pads, they can slip and injure themselves. Especially Dachshunds, who are prone to back issues, it’s particularly important to keep this hair trimmed. If you like the “grinchy toe” look, leave the hair on the top of the paws but trim the portion that is in contact with the ground. A small pair of blunt end scissors is best for this.
Ears:
Behind the ears is one of the places most prone to knots and matting. A little bit of trimming can save your dog a lot of pain. Not only are mats painful but they can also cause skin infections and irritation.
Pull the ear forward and feel for the “bulb” of the ear. All that hair can be trimmed without affecting how they look from the front. Then fold the ear back and trim out any hair around the ear canal. It’s important to clear that hair out of the way so moisture doesn’t get trapped and cause an ear infection. This is also a good time to clean the ears with ear wipes and end with a little ear powder.
Dremel tutorial for young puppy.
Coat Maintenance
Running a slicker brush through a longhairs coat once a day is normally sufficient for daily grooming.
A few times a year, they can benefit from a full shipping and trim. I like to shoot for at least quarterly. By stripping the coat, dead hairs are removed, which leaves room for healthy hair to grow. Neutered dogs do not cycle their hair properly due to hormonal changes, called “spay/neuter coat”. The fuzzy undercoat needs to be taken out manually and extra conditioning is important. They can also benefit from a high quality oil supplement.
A “Spay/Neuter coat” has a very fluffy look and is normally more dull in appearance. Not all dogs develop this but it’s best to be prepared that it may. These types of coat are more prone to matting and getting all kinds of things stuck in their coats.
Tools