The expectations of a show dog include many things and among the top is presence.  While some people would like to say that the conformation of a dog has nothing to do with its hair, or as the saying goes, they "don't run on hair". Ask a  panel of judges and they will tell you that  it is very unpleasant to examine a filthy dog.  It is very unpleasant to examine the mouth of a dog and wonder if there is a tooth underneath all that tartar. 

Most of us are exposed to organized sports during our school years.  What is the common thread?  Training. Training. Training. You have to get your "game head" on.  It is no different when showing dogs.  You are going to train them to go around the ring.  You are going to train them to stand for examination.  And believe or not, you will do your dogs a huge favor if you train them to enjoy, or at least to tolerate, the process of grooming.

 

You can get as elaborate as you want to, or can afford to, but it is truly quite simple.  Invest in a few good tools, establish a routine,  plan time daily (it only takes 15 minutes a day), and make it FUN.  At first keep the sessions short, and your dog will promptly ease into it.  Many dogs actually look forward to it.

 

If you plan to use a grooming table, you will be wise to cut the legs so that is easy for your dog to jump on the table and easy on your back to work on your dog. Check your local hardware store for a pipe cutter, or even better, ask your other show friends. You will probably use it only once. 

 

You will need a pin brush, a slicker brush, a rake and a comb; a nail clipper and a nail grinder; styptic powder; cotton balls and ear cleaner or ear wipes; toothbrush and doggie toothpaste or teeth wipes; a couple of hand towels; a spray bottle with water; a blow dryer; an apron, good attitude and patience.  Arrange an area to do this daily,  everything within easy reach so that you can stretch your arm and grab what you need. 

Ears and nails should be dealt with weekly. In my experience, dogs seem to mind the grinding far less than the nail clipping. Try doing both and see what works best with your dog.  If you have never done any nail trimming or grinding before, ask someone with experience. There is a trick to it, and it is quite easy once you have learned to do it correctly.  Leaving nails unattended is not only unattractive, but as the dog ages, it is quite uncomfortable and even painful - keep those nails shorts.

 

Brushing should be done daily. Make a mental picture of your dogs body, and divide it in four sections. Work one section at a time. Always brush with the grain of the hair, that means in the direction the hair grows.  If this is a new experience for you, time yourself and work for about 10 minutes.  The goal is to brush the area well enough so that you can run the comb through it freely. You can purchase a hair detangler to make the brushing easier, but you will find that once you are brushing your dog regularly, you wont need any extra products.

 

After brushing the hair, brush (or wipe) your dogs teeth. All 42 of them, not just the front ones.  Do this in a gentle manner, and while you are at it, check the gums, check the bite, open their mouth and do an "exam".  If your dog's teeth are in bad condition, consider a professional dental cleaning. Have this performed by your vet. The process includes not only the removal of tartar build up, and cleaning under the gum line, but also the polishing of the teeth to prevent "grooves" from damaging them.  You can then incorporate teeth brushing/wiping in your routine and avoid this process in the future.

 

Finish each session with a damp towel to the face, and clean the eyes. Give your dog a soothing massage and  his/her favorite treat.  Can we say training?

 

If you are following this program consistently, this is what your dog is getting: a beautiful coat, and the idea that is ok to have human hands all over his/her body; a dental examination; the idea that there is a process, and it is a good one; bonding with you. In return you are getting quality time with your dog.  A dog that will be far more cooperative when is time for a judge (or a vet) to examine him/her.

 

Once a month give your dog a bath with a mild shampoo.  Bathing your dog too much will remove the natural oils of its skin. You will be surprised to find that with regular grooming your dog will shed far less than before.  Always use products that are made for dogs, as the ph balance is formulated not to irritate their skin. Human products, in general, are too harsh on your dog.

 

The benefits of grooming are far reaching. You gain a much more manageable animal.  But that's just the beginning. Consider the health benefits: your hands on approach will give you the opportunity to notice if there is anything wrong with your dog. You will notice even the slightest changes, bumps, rashes and insect bites.  You will be able to tell if there is a problem as soon as it surfaces.  Dogs with dirty teeth are constantly swallowing the bacteria from their teeth into their bloodstream, and your vet will tell you how damaging this is to their major organs.  You can even tell if your dog is just not feeling good.  Or, if they are having a bad hair day (groomer's humor).

 

Be vigilant for fleas and ticks. If this is a problem in your area, consider applying one of the many preventative products available in the market. Insect bites can quickly turn into hot spots, and hot spots are not only unhealthy and painful but quite unattractive, especially if they are on the "judges side".