Grooming and other hygienic care may not be the most wonderful part of owning a dog but it's necessary to have a happy, healthy pitbull that will love you for years. Thankfully, grooming for pitbulls is fairly easy. Unfortunately though, some pitbulls can make it very clear that it's not their favorite part either. What exactly should be part of that routine? And how can you make everything as painless as possible or maybe even enjoyable?
The best way to start any care is with a well-exercised, tired pitbull that is relaxed, not anxious. You should be relaxed too - dogs can sense if you are tense. When it comes to bathing, exercise before starting has another benefit: if your pitbull is hot, the water will be more appealing. But before starting your walk, get the bath location ready. You will have to decide whether you will bathe your pitbull inside or outside. Consider the weather and the fact that most creatures prefer warm water (like you will get in a shower) over icy water (like you will get from a hose outside). Prepare for the bath with dog shampoo, either baby shampoo or tearless dog shampoo, dog conditioner, one or two towels, treats, and either a spray nozzle or a cup.
Once you have everything prepared, take your pitbull on a walk or jog for at least an hour. This will both help him to be calm and hot. Then, bring him directly and confidently to the bath location and get started. If your pitbull is hesitant, you can tempt him with treats and even enter the bathing area yourself, leading by example. Proceed to wet your pitbull thoroughly, shampoo with normal dog shampoo on his body up to his ears and shampoo with the tearless shampoo from the ears forward to the nose. Use the spray nozzle or cup to make wetting and rinsing easier. Rinse and repeat until the rinse water comes off clear. For my dogs, I will usually let the second shampoo sit for a few minutes so that their coat will hold that nice smell. Then use the conditioner. Dog conditioners can vary in application so just follow the instructions on the bottle. Reinforce this as a positive experience by offering treats throughout the bath.
How often should you bathe your pitbull? Baths can be given as necessary but no more than once a month. 'As necessary' would be when the dog's smell is quite pungent, or she is visibly dirty. You can make baths less of an ordeal by using treats, adjusting your pitbull to being touched all over at non-bath times, and taking your pitbull to the bathing area at non-bath times and offering praise and affection. In addition to baths, brushing your pitbull at least once a week will help keep her clean and distribute her body's natural oils all over her coat. This will also keep hair out of your house if you brush her outside. I prefer a curry brush for my pitbull's short coarse hair. If you see any ticks on your pitbull while grooming, remove them with a pair of tweezers.
So the bath is the most major part of grooming, but what other health care should you give your pitbull? Toothbrushing is very important to prevent bacteria and plaque from taking over your pitbull's mouth which can lead to sickness and weight loss. Whether your pitbull's ears are cropped or not, keeping them clean will prevent ear infections (and therefore, vet bills). Ear cleaning is very simple if the ear is healthy: pour in an ear cleaning solution (available at the pet store), massage into the ear canal, let your pitbull shake his head, and remove any excess wax with a cotton ball. However, if his ears have a strange smell or have scabs or puss, DO NOT TOUCH THEM. Take your pitbull to a vet for treatment. Once ears get infected, they are very sensitive and can be damaged further.
The last consideration in grooming for your pitbull is nails. If your pitbull regularly walks on concrete or asphalt, this might already be managing her nails. Healthy nails are not split or cracked and are about half an inch long. When your pitbull is standing on flat ground, her nails should not touch the floor. But do not hurt your pitbull by cutting the quick. If the nails are longer than they should be, they should be trimmed back to the correct length. If the quick, or blood vessel in the nail, has also grown long, you will need to trim the nails as much as possible every two weeks until the quicks have receded. You can prepare your adult pitbull or pitbull puppy for nail trimming by handling her paws at relaxed moments and even putting a bit of pressure on a nail here and there. If you have never trimmed a dog's nails before, I recommend having your veterinarian or a professional groomer show you how to do so. Even ear cleaning, toothbrushing and nail trimming are easier to perform on a tired dog rather than an excited one. Before using any product on your pitbull, read the label and warnings in their entirety. With shampoos and conditioners, keep in mind that pitbulls with special coloring like blue are prone to have sensitive skin. Most importantly, have fun with your pitbull and aim to make every experience a positive one.
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