Trimming your dog's private parts is essential for keeping him healthy and happy. This can help prevent irritation, infections, and other common problems in unkempt areas. Also, grooming these areas helps keep your dog's skin clean and healthy.
The Female Method
Be sure to clean the backside of her body as well. She will be uncomfortable if poop is left on her skin. If her fur is long, dried poop can become a bigger issue, so always get this back area clean during each bath. A mild dog shampoo and a bit of gentle scrubbing will do the trick.
Is This Color Normal? The outer surfaces of a dog's labia are covered with skin and a small amount of hair, which should appear similar to the surrounding skin and hair. Some dark staining may be present due to the presence of fluids, like saliva, that turn reddish-brown when exposed to air.
A dog hygiene trim helps to keep dogs' coats and skin healthy and clean, as well as making sure they are comfortable all year round. A raw diet can also support coat and skin health. How often dogs need a sanitary trim depends on their breed, however most dogs will need a sanitary trim every 4-6 weeks.
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.
In general, it is good practice to avoid touching your dog's tail, unless you suspect injury or need to check the areas surrounding a dog's tail.
Tail docking should be performed on newborn puppies between 2 and 5 days old. This window is not arbitrary, rather it allows the pups to get a small foothold in life while taking advantage of an underdeveloped nervous system that tolerates such an invasive procedure in stride.
Many girls trim their pubic hair, or go to a salon to have a “bikini wax”; others prefer to shave just about every day, and many just leave it alone. Removing pubic hair is a personal preference. It's not necessary to remove the hair in this area to keep your body clean.
If you'll only be cutting hair; not shaving it, do it while the hair is completely dry — it'll be easier to manage. If you're shaving though, soaking in a warm bath or shower for 10 to 15 minutes can reduce the irritation to your skin.
If your dog has a lot of fur between its paw pads, it may be difficult to see that something is wrong. That is why it is recommended that you trim the extra fur between your dog's paw pads so that you can quickly recognize if your dog is affected by canine hyperkeratosis.
Dogs Lick Their Crotch to Stay Clean
They need to keep their genitals clean from dirt and discharge, and they don't use toilet paper for their anal region, so their tongue is the way to do it. Also, dogs don't have any body hang-ups. They aren't ashamed to groom their crotch regardless of who's watching.
Comb, clip, or cut: Put on latex gloves and try to comb out, clip, or cut out the dingleberry. Slide a comb beneath the knot to guard the skin so that you don't nick it. Once the dingleberry is history, then bathe your dog. Avoiding wetting the area first as this makes removal much harder.
Do not move your hands towards the dog's face or over the top of the head. This may make the dog fearful or defensive. Begin to gently pet the dog in areas like the front of the chest, the upper and middle back, sides of the chest, and behind the ears. Stop petting the dog if you notice resistance.
Licking is a natural and instinctive behaviour to dogs. For them it's a way of grooming, bonding, and expressing themselves. Your dog may lick you to say they love you, to get your attention, to help soothe themselves if they're stressed, to show empathy or because you taste good to them!
Paw sensitivity seems to be universal among dogs, although some dogs have stronger adverse reactions than others. Paw sensitivity is widely thought to be caused by a dog's natural or instinctive desire to protect its crucial body parts from harm.
They'll either "band" the tail, cutting off the circulation to the area until it comes off on its own. Or, they'll cut off the tail with a sharp implement, such as a scalpel or scissors, cutting through the muscle tissue, cartilage, spinal column, and nerve endings.
Outside of just getting mud, dirt and dust on your floors and carpets, not cleaning your pup's paws could lead to bacteria outbreaks in your home. These can be very harmful for you and your family.
There is nothing wrong with being a bit nervous when it comes to cutting the hair on your dog's bum. But, the reality is that if you don't want Benji bringing matted feces, dirt, debris, parasites, and more into your home, you need to keep that bum hair trimmed back.
While there's no hard-and-fast rule for how often you should clean your pup's paws, it's wise to incorporate regular paw checks into your grooming schedule. This will give you a chance to spot any wounds or pain points before they become serious.