It is very important to trim away hair that would otherwise get coated with bodily wastes. For male dogs, trim an extra inch or three in front of the penis, as the urine can hit long fringes and contribute to skin rashes and infection. Female dogs should have hair clipped around the vulva.
Sanitary trims, sometimes called “potty cuts,” keeps heiny hair free of tangles, mats, and traps for urine, feces, dirt, associated bacteria and odors. Besides the ick-factor, these things not only spread around your environment, but also leave your dog at risk for developing irritation and infection if left unchecked.
A dog hygiene trim is sometimes referred to as a sanitary trim or clip. This is the process of shaving or trimming the coat in certain areas to prevent urine and faeces from becoming stuck in their hair. This typically involves trimming the hair around the anus, genitals and abdomen.
Wash the dog. Give your dog a bath and let him dry thoroughly before you clip him. Avoid clipping a dirty dog if at all possible. The dirt will clog the clippers and make your job difficult.
You don't mention what type of dog you have, but as a professional groomer for close to 20 years, it is customary to not cut poodle ears and to save tails if possible. The reasoning behind these rules of thumb is that growing ear hair and tail hair takes much longer than hair on the rest of the body.
Unless the dog is being utilized for show purposes in the conformation ring, tail docking is best left undone if beyond the age of 5-7 days.
Guide for choosing dog blades:
Sanitary trim (genitals, rectum, abdomen) > #10 > 1.5mm to 1.8mm* Feet and paw pads > #15 > 1.2mm to 1.5mm* Between toes and paw pads > 5/8 Toe Blade or trimmer ** Inside ears and stomach > #10 > 1.5mm to 1.8mm*
Trimming your dog's rear end may not be the most fun you will have with your dog, but it's an important task of grooming your pup. If his fur is long and becomes matted, he could also be tracking feces in and out of your house in this nest of fur.
His sanitary area should be kept rather clean to avoid infections or discomfort when going potty. Whether you're waiting for bathtime or cleaning outside of bathtime, your dog's private areas will need to be cleaned on a regular basis or when they are especially dirty.
Mix a one-to-one solution of white vinegar and water. Using a sponge, rub the solution onto the stain. Let it sit for 5-to-10 minutes, and then wipe it up with a clean, dry towel. Some experts advise using a more diluted formulation of 1/2-cup vinegar to one gallon of warm water.
Self-Rinse and Dry Shampoos
Self-rinsing shampoo can be found in many pet supply stores. The formula is quite thin compared to traditional shampoos and requires no rinsing after use. Simply work it into the urine-soaked fur until a light lather forms, then blot the area with a paper towel and brush.
To avoid overwhelming your pup, introduce one at a time. If your tool makes a noise, like clippers, turn it on and let your dog hear the sounds it makes. At first, don't place the tool near his body, just let him listen. Only leave it on for as long as he can handle.
While Vaseline is technically non-toxic for dogs, it does not mean it is 100% safe. If over-ingested (and they will lick) it can cause an upset stomach, which can lead to vomiting or diarrhoea. Vaseline forms a barrier over your dog's skin trapping in toxins, dirt and bacteria.
The most familiar dog breeds with docked tails include Australian Shepherd, Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog, Brittany Spaniel, Danish Swedish Farmdog, Jack Russell Terrier, Schipperke, and Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Many of those are due to a gene mutation called C189G. Breeding removed their tails.
Tail docking occurs in one of two ways. The first involves constricting the blood supply to the tail with a rubber ligature for a few days until the tail falls off. The second involves the severance of the tail with surgical scissors or a scalpel.
Dogs are happier after grooming due to the many health benefits and overall cleanliness that it provides. Grooming also provides an opportunity to be social with other dogs and groomers. Although some dogs may feel down after grooming, this quickly goes away and they truly appreciate the benefits of grooming.
Don't cut nails too short.
Trimming nails too short is painful and can agitate even the calmest pup. Dogs' nails contain a blood vessel called the “quick.” Cutting into the quick can result in a great deal of bleeding and pain.
Generally, once the pups are weaned, mother dog should produce less milk and dry up within a week. However, you may want to consult with your vet if you notice mother dog's mammary glands continuing to produce milk after the pups are weaned and the glands are becoming painful and engorged.
Conclusion. So the bottom line is this, dogs don't need to wipe themselves because they have a different anatomy than ours. At times, you may have to help your dog wipe his bottom but this is not an everyday occurence and should only be done as needed. A dog can live a perfectly healthy life and never have to wipe.