The herding dogs need regular grooming.Smooth Collies have shorter, sleeker fur than the rough ones.Both types have thick double-coats that protect their skin and regulate their body temperature.How to keep your Collie tangle-free is the topic of this article.Ensuring that your pet stays healthy and happy is something that you can help them to do.
Step 1: Weekly brush.
It should be sufficient for most Collies to attend to their long fur once a week.During their shed season, which lasts from mid to late summer, you may want to brush them twice or more a week.Check your dog at the end of the day to make sure there are no ticks or debris in the coat.Be careful to check paws, ears, armpits, and groin.To keep your Collie's hair supple, mist their coat with water and then use a spray bottle.To comb their fur with the grain, use a slicker brush or long-toothed comb.As you go, be sure to remove any tangles.Keep brushing until you can work the brush through their hair.Use a comb to pick out stubborn mats.Use grooming scissors to trim them if they don't budge.Place your middle and forefinger on either side of the hair under the mat and against the dog's skin to keep the scissors out.Remove the mat and leave as much fur as you can.
Step 2: They should be paid special attention to their ears and legs.
Rough collies have long tufts of hair around their ears and back of their legs.These sensitive areas are prone to matting, so it is wise to give them extra attention during your dog's weekly brushing.While combing the hair behind the ear, hold down each ear in turn.If you see tangles, hold the hair below them and use a comb to remove them.To get rid of the fur behind their legs and in their armpits, be sure to brush it out.They have the ruff of hair at the back of their legs.
Step 3: They need to wipe their fur down.
After brushing your Collie's coat, use a damp cloth or flannel to wipe it down.Move their fur from their neck to their tail.If you apply enough pressure, you can pick up any hair or dirt, but don't rub it on their coat or skin.
Step 4: Occasionally using a mild dog detergent.
Frequent bathing or exposure to human bath products can dry out or irritate the skin of Collies, who don't usually have a "doggy" smell, and can deplete the natural oils in their coats.Unless directed by a vet, give them a bath only when necessary or a few times a year.Use a hose to spray them in a tub, shower, or outside.If they have a mobile water source, it will be easy to do.Wet your dog's coat withluke-warm water.It's a good idea to wash their fur from their neck down.Remove the suds from the water withluke-warm water.Allow your Collie to shake the water out of their coat after a thorough rinse.Use a large towel to pat them dry.If your dog is dirty from outings, rinse it off with plain water.
Step 5: Get the correct equipment.
You can also use an electric hair trimmer.The electric trimmer is quicker and safer than the scissors.When grooming your Collie, use the latter.
Step 6: Your dog's ears should be trimmed around them.
Rough Collies have tufts of hair around their ears.You can keep them in check by trimming any excess fur with your shears or trimmer.To expose any tufts behind or on either side of your Collie's ear, start by pressing his ear forward against his skull.The hair should be cut down to about an inch in length.There are long hairs growing out of the ear.It is a good idea to clip them close to your Collie's ear.
Step 7: Take the fur off of their paws.
If your dog has long hair around his foot pads, it is likely to become matted or caked with mud and dirt.To make your pet comfortable, keep the fur around their feet, on top of their toes, and between their pads very short.To remove excess paw hair, use a small, blunt-nosed scissors or an electric hair trimmer.
Step 8: They need to tidy up their back legs.
Rough Collies may have a lot of hair on their hind legs.If that is the case, trim it using your scissors and comb it out from their legs with your slick brush.Follow the line of your dog's leg to clip it evenly.You can shorten it to match the hair on their hind legs.
Step 9: Their tails have long hairs.
The fur on a Collie's tail can accumulate a lot of dirt.Cut away the hairs or fur that is sticking out.The fur on their tails is patchy and odd.
Step 10: It's a good idea to avoid shearing your dog.
If you want to trim away mats and excess fur in areas that are prone to matting, it's not a good idea.Collie's double-coats help regulate their body temperature year-round, even in warmer weather.In the winter their fur insulates and in the summer it cools them down.
Step 11: Take your dog to the grooming salon.
It is wise to call in a professional for major trims.Regular maintenance of your pet's double-coats will be easier if you take them to a groomer every three months.
Step 12: Take their nails out.
Your Collie's claws will be protected from cracking, breaking, or scratching with regular clipping.To do that, you will need a scissor-like Miller's Forge trimmer designed for medium-sized dogs as well as some styptic powder to address any bleeding.The powder will be packaged with the clippers.Going one paw at a time, hold each foot around the ankle and use your dominant hand to operate the clippers.There is a tiny red nerve ending on the underside of each claw.It's always a good idea to clip the bit of the nail that extends beyond the quick.Styptic powder can be pressed firmly into the end of their nail to stop the bleeding.Your dog will be reassured by the praise and treats.If your Collie isn't a fan of this process, you should have another person hold them in place and comfort them while you clip their nails.It's probably best to leave this task to a professional if they still don't stop blushing.
Step 13: They need to wash their ears
Keep your Collie's ears clean by using a mild canine ear cleaner.Check for any signs of infections like swelling, bad smells, or discharge.Take your dog to the vet if you notice any of these symptoms.If you don't notice anything, then leave them alone.You can clean your Collie's ears with a small amount of cleaning solution.It should be enough to fill each ear canal.Allow your dog to shake their head to get the cleaner out by massaging the base of their ear.Any liquid, dirt, and wax that was released by the cleaning solution should be wiped away with a cotton ball.If you want to avoid damaging your Collie's inner ear, don't use cotton swabs or poke into their ear canal.
Step 14: Their teeth should be brushed.
Bad breath and other oral infections can be prevented with good oral hygiene.The easiest way to keep your dog's teeth clean is to brush them.Medium-sized dogs need a toothbrush and toothpaste made for them.Dog toothpaste is good for your Collie and doesn't need to be washed out of their mouths.Human toothpaste can be harmful to dogs.Pull up your Collie's lips and brush their teeth with a circular motion.You don't need to brush the back of their teeth.Provide your dog with dental chews and you can reduce plaque build up.
Step 15: You should watch out for signs of illness.
As a groom, be on the lookout for any potential symptoms of infections like blisters, redness, swelling, and/or discharge.Your Collie's health could be negatively impacted by these indications of allergies, skin conditions, or systemic issues.Make an appointment with a vet if you see any worrying symptoms.
Step 16: You should take your dog to the vet for regular checks.
It is important that your pet is well cared for.You can catch any health issues early if you register your Collie with a local veterinary practice.Your vet will help you ensure that your dog is up-to-date with vaccinations and parasites, as well as reminding you to schedule annual health exams for your Collie.Collies should have a check-up at least once a year until they are 7 years old.It is best to schedule one every six months after that.