How To Groom A Westie

Westies are highly intelligent dogs with long white coats that require constant grooming, thus if you own one of these fur balls, you will need to learn how to groom a Westie to prevent matted hair and other skin problems. Grooming a Westie requires not only time, but also a lot of patience, particularly if your dog is not used to the procedures. Start grooming when your Westie is just a puppy so he will get used to how it feels. 

To groom a Westie, you will need: 

• Pin brushes
• Slicker brush
• Metal comb
• Whitening dog shampoo
• Detangler
• Dog nail clipper
• Toothbrush and dog toothpaste

1. Brushing and untangling. The most important step to groom a Westie is to untangle its undercoat. In the following order, use pin brushes, a slicker brush and a metal comb to gently brush the undercoat. If the knots are too tight, cut it out to prevent further entanglement and pain.  
2. Bathing. Use a mild whitening dog shampoo to wash your dog's coat. When you groom a Westie, remember that it usually has dry skin and should not be bathed with harsh products. Apply detangler after shampooing to keep the coat from getting knotty.  
3. Nail clipping. All dogs require regular nail clipping; otherwise, overgrown nails will hinder their movement and cause pain when chipped. To groom a Westie and to trim its nails can be difficult. You can use the "hand" command and trim from the nails. Flip your Westie on its back to trim the back nails. Do not use a human nail clipper.  
4. Teeth cleaning. Like humans, dogs can get dental problems if their teeth are not routinely cleaned. Part of the procedure to groom a Westie is to clean its teeth. Squeeze a tiny bit of doggie toothpaste on a toothbrush, and gently pry open your Westie's mouth. When you first start, you can put on a glove and use your fingers as toothbrush, in order to familiarize your Westie with the feeling. Reward your dog with treats after you are done. If brushing your Westie's teeth is impossible, give it plenty of dental chew toys which are available in grocery stores and pet stores.  

Tips:

Learning how to groom a Westie can be difficult, particularly when your Westie struggles. Use treats to distract it while you brush its coat. Give plenty of praise after you finish all the procedures to groom a Westie. If nothing works, take your dog to a professional pet groomer.