Whilst sticky jaws, foxtails, fleas and ticks are the bane of the country dog…over bathing, coat dryness and neglect of a pets coat befall the city pet. But good news - both can benefit from a regime of brushing and combing.

When the cute little puppy arrived at you home, you probably went to you local pet store and purchased a new dish, bed, collar and possibly a brush and comb. Although the bed, dish and collar are still in use, the comb and brush are probably gathering dust in the draw.

It may not be your fault that your first attempts at coming and brushing were unsuccessful. It could be that you didn't know the fine points of handling your pet during brushing. Or more likely, you purchased inappropriate equipment, making your efforts unfruitful and tiresome.

Good equipment is key…

Poor equipment is often the reason pet owners fail to give their pet's once or twice weekly brushings. For success in coat maintenance, throw out your worn brush with bent or missing bristles.

A gentle slicker brush is needed for basic grooming. These brushes contain hundreds of soft, short bent wires mounted in a firm rubber backing. A good quality brush won't hurt your pet.

Another essential piece of equipment is the comb. A solid metal comb with a combination of course and medium teeth will do nicely. Buy your equipment from your pet care professional who will be bale to advise you of the correct brush and comb.

Brushing for pet's health…

Brushing is essential to a healthy, glowing coat. This will terminate any mats and tangles in your dog's coat and will also remove dead hair, dirt and burrs. Brushing your pets coat regularly will distribute natural oils therefore producing a healthy skin tone.

The correct work surface…

Where should you work on your pet? The floor is your pets play ground and therefore should only be used a last resort. A sturdy surface such as a table or the top of your washer / dryer will offer a solid surface and a comfortable working height for you. A rubber mat may also be useful as this provides a non slip surface for your pet.

Working on a surface such as this will teach your pet that you are serious about their care. This will also resemble the conditions your pet encounters in a grooming parlour.

Controlling your pet…

You must have a serious attitude whilst working on your pet. A firm "NO" should suffice when your pet bites at the pet or comb or tries to charm you with playful antics. When brushing your pet begin by working in one area. Do not allow your pet to twist and turn as you will hit or miss in your brushing attempts. Your pet will definitely win at that game and you will exhaust yourself whilst vowing never to brush again.

Grooming your pet regularly will ensure a healthy glowing coat. Failure to groom correctly will not only take you longer to groom but may results in a badly behaved pet that can only be groomed by a professional. This in turn will cost you more money and may even leave you with a pet that cannot be groomed.

Mats, tangles and burrs…

These should be worked in small sections, separated with your fingers if necessary. Beginning with the course teeth of the comb, slide through an area of fur and use the medium teeth to finish. Anti static grooming sprays, coat conditioners and powders can reduce coat breakage. However these items should be used with extreme caution around the face and eyes. Serious mats and tangles of your pets coat should be treated by a professional groomer.

The brushing begins…

Take your pets head in your hand and begin by gently but thoroughly combing the whiskers, ears and head. Look your pet in the eye and say a firm "NO" if it begins to misbehave. Through this exchange you can gain an understanding with your pet that will last through the brushing session.

Now the legs. The legs are probably the most neglected part of the home grooming process. Alternate the comb and brush operation so that you can locate the little knots that very quickly turn into big ones.

Brush up or down but work in small sections and work down to the skin. A serious fault of the pet groomer is the over working of the top coat and neglecting the hair nearest the skin. Lift the leg towards you to get at the inner leg. Proceed to the tail and back.

Finishing…

Terriers and long coated breads should be finished by combing in the direction of the hair growth. A ruler appearance can be achieved on the Poodle, Bichon and Bedlington by brushing against the hair growth. Now give him a small treat.

What is the alternative…?

Poor coat condition usually results in a shorter clip on your pet and a larger grooming bill. If you find that you just don't have the time or desire to brush your pet, more frequent professional grooming is recommended to prevent matting and tangling.

A shorter more manageable clip on your pet may be another alternative. Your professional groomer will be able to assist you in making the best decision for you and your pet.

How often should my pet be groomed?

The duration of time between professional grooming can vary greatly between dogs of the same breed. Coat condition, hair type, density and climate are just some of the variables. A lot depends on how much home grooming you are willing to offer to your pet.

Here are some guidelines suggested by GROOMING AUTHORITIES. Your professional groomer can be more specific about your pet. If you don't brush and comb regularly, choose the earlier time frame.

• Airedale 10 weeks
• Bedlington 4-6 weeks
• Bichon-Frise 4 weeks
• Cairn / Westie 6-12 weeks
• Cocker / Springer 6-8 weeks
• Collie (all types) 6-8 weeks
• Dandie dismount 6-8 weeks
• Golden Retriever 8-12 weeks
• Setters (all types) 8-10 weeks
• Kerry Blue 4-8 weeks
• Lakeland 6-8 weeks
• Lhaso-apso / Shih-tzu 6-8 weeks
• Maltese 4-8 weeks
• Old English 8-12 weeks
• Pomeranian 12-16 weeks
• Poodle (all sizes) 4-8 weeks
• Schnauzer (all sizes) 6-10 weeks
• Welsh / Fox terrier 6-8 weeks
• Yorkshire Terrier 6-8 weeks

If you have a friend that could benefit from this advice please email it on.

Did you know you can now also treat your dog or cat for fleas with a drop on preparation?