Is your dog due for a makeover? Has she been enjoying the great outdoors a little too much?  Here are some simple tips for helping your dog put her best paw forward.

It all begins with the brushing:

• Brush your dog regularly. Daily is best. Be sure to also brush against hair growth direction to check for fleas and ticks.
• The right tools. For short-haired dogs, most groomers recommend stainless-steel combs because they slide through coats very easily.  For medium to long haired dogs start with a slicker brush and then follow with a stainless steel comb.  In hot months consider investing in a flea comb to make sure your dog has not become a flea hotel.  To make your dog's coat really shine, finish with a soft bristle brush.
• If your dog hates being brushed it sometimes helps to brush after play time. Start by brushing in the hair growth direction. When you are finished, reward your dog with a treat. Each day brush your dog a little longer. And if you are lucky, your dog may even begin to like being brushed.

Now for the bath:

• Brush your dog from head to toe making sure all mats are gone.  For small dogs a sink works great. For medium to large dogs, a tub or shower works best. Use only warm water and a good shampoo made for dogs. People shampoo is too harsh and can irritate your dog's skin. Most groomers recommend working from the back end forward, lathering the head last.
• Rinse, rinse, and rinse again to make sure you have removed all shampoo.
• Short-haired dogs dry quickly and only need to be dried off with a towel. If your dog has long hair, you may need to brush him while he's drying to avoid tangles.

The Grand Finale:

• Finish by giving your dog a treat.
• Then celebrate! You and your dog survived the bath, and you have a clean dog.