Grooming Tips from Gracie!

Bathing Tips:

To minimize excessive shedding after bathing, use cool to lukewarm water instead of warm to hot. The warmer the water, the more open the pores become.
Allow the shampoo to sit on the animal for two to four minutes, allowing penetration of the hair.
If bathing dogs with bulging or sensitive eyes, use special doggie eye drops that are made to protect them from soaps.
When bathing dogs with mats, comb out the mats before bathing. Once water hits the mats, they will tighten up.
Use a cream rinse on dogs with fine long hair. Use a whitening shampoo for white dogs with stained hair.

Use a cream rinse during the bath on dogs with fine long hair. Use a comb or pin brush rather than a slicker brush.
Take a few strands at a time off of the mat. Hold the skin above the mat with your other hand to keep from pulling the skin. Use corn starch to help in the dematting; this helps slicken the hair.

If clipping black-colored nails, begin with a little at a time until you see a black dot in the center of the nail where you're cutting. The closer to the blood (quick) that you become, the more pronounced the spot will be until it finally bleeds.
If clipping white nails, you will be able to see the blood (quick) through the nail. Take caution, however, not to just cut at the point; begin your cut about a quarter inch below and work your way up.
Be sure your nail clippers are sharp and the correct size for the breed. It helps to lift the paw up behind the dog rather than extending it forward; this way the dog can't see you clipping the nails, kind of like closing your eyes when you get a shot.