A new puppy brings a bucket load of love and affection into your home. But to make sure they stay in great condition, be prepared to spend time on their care and grooming.

Depending on the breed of puppy, grooming may take as little as five minutes a day or as long as half an hour. Basic grooming needs include caring for their eyes, ears and nose, nail clipping and teeth cleaning as well as bathing and brushing their coat.


Eye and nose care

You shouldn't need to do much in the way of cleaning your puppy's eyes unless you notice any unusual discharge. Some breeds of dog produce a mild discharge which stains the fur down their cheeks but your vet will tell you if this is normal for their breed. Clean around their eyes and nose with separate pieces of damp cotton wool if necessary.

Ear care

Each time you brush your dog's coat, have a quick inspection inside their ears to check they look clean and pink. A small amount of ear wax is normal and can be left alone. You could use a canine wax softener if there is a large build up of wax but otherwise, just use a ball of cotton wool to gently wipe away any obvious signs of dirt. Take care to only clean easy to reach parts of the ear and never use a cotton bud to clean the inner ear. Dogs with long or droopy ears are more prone to suffering from various ear infections so check their ears more frequently and clip away excess hair around their ears to allow greater air flow.

Tooth care

It's important to start a tooth cleaning routine with your puppy as early as possible. Many dog owners neglect to clean their dog’s teeth so that by the age of three, up to 70 percent of dogs have problems with their teeth. To keep your puppy's teeth in great condition, brush them twice a week using a special long-handled canine toothbrush or a soft bristled child's toothbrush. Only use special dog's toothpastes which come in tempting flavors such as chicken, biscuit and beef. Don't use human toothpaste as the ingredients can cause them to suffer a severe stomach upset.

Nail care

Having their nails clipped is something many dogs detest with a passion, so the earlier you get them used to this process the easier it will become. Aim to clip them about every three weeks though you may need to do this more often during the warmer months. Get your puppy used to you stroking and holding his paws and wait for a quiet period when he's relaxed. You may find you need someone to hold him still while you clip. You need to cut just below the quick, which is the reddish blood vessel inside the nail. This is easily visible in white nails but for black nails, aim to cut just below the start of the hook. Cut at a 45 degree angle away from the puppy so when he puts his paws down, the nails will be parallel to the floor.

Bathing

Puppies and dogs only need bathing once every two or three months unless they're particularly smelly or dirty as too many baths can strip their skin and fur of natural oils. Getting your puppy used to having a bath while still young will save endless battles later on. A rubber mat will help protect the bath from scratch marks. Use a sponge and special dog shampoo and rinse their coat thoroughly. Towel dry them and lift them out of the bath then finish drying their coat with a hairdryer on a very low setting.

Grooming

All puppies should have their coats brushed on a daily basis, even those with short coats as this helps get them used to the idea of grooming. Ensure you have the appropriate brush or mitt for their coat type and choose a time when your puppy is relaxed. Also use this opportunity to check for fleas. Single coated puppies with long hair such as a Yorkshire Terrier or breeds with thick, woolly or wiry coats like Poodles and Shetland Sheepdogs require regular brushing and combing. Longer coated dogs will also need to have it trimmed.

Caring for your puppy should be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. By starting a regular grooming routine while they're still young, your puppy will soon learn what to expect while helping you develop a stronger bond with them. Besides looking as smart as possible, a well-cared for puppy will feel happier and healthier and is less likely to suffer from any of the associated problems of neglectful grooming.
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