Brushing Your German Shepherd Dog - 101
I know this is a pretty basic topic but it doesn’t hurt ot go over the basics a time or two.
Brushing your dog really can help form a closer bond or friendship while taking care of him/her at the same time. If done correctly, your dog will love to be brushed. This should be one of the most important parts of your weekly grooming routine, especially when we are talking about German Shepherds.
Brushing, if done carefully and correctly, can help you detect skin ailments, sicknesses, fleas and ticks before they become a serious problem. It also helps to stimulate those natural oils in your dog’s scalp to prevent some of those dry skin itches. Brushing aids in cleaning your dog’s coat leading to a reduced need for bathing. Of course, one of the biggest benefits to brushing your German Shepherd is that it will help to catch a lot of that hair before it lands on the floor!
When you think about it there really are numerous reasons to brush your dog so why not make it fun for you and your dog. To start with get a decent brush. I prefer the big handled wire bristle brush and a doggy comb. ( Commonly referred to as a slicker and a rake.) Take nice long gentle strokes while brushing. Think like you are petting your dog but with a brush in your hand. Start in the opposite direction the hair lays. (Try to keep your dog comfortable and do not get angry if he does not like being brushed. If you’re getting angry, it’s time to stop and try again tomorrow.) Once you have the hair all brushed in the opposite direction then switch to your rake and brush the hair back in the growth direction. Very simple, actually.
Now as you are brushing your dog go slow enough that you can check the scalp. Watch for ticks, black specks, rashes or red inflamed areas. The later of these could warrant a visit to your veterinarian’s office if you haven’t recently treated your dog for an allergy or fleas. Rashes and inflamed areas could signal mites, mange or some type of fungal disease.
It is best to start brushing your dog when you first get them. Get yourselves accustom to this right away. Make brushing a regular part of your routine. I would recommend that you do not brush more than twice a week as I have seen some people over brush, yes that’s right, I said over brush. Sometimes this creates a very thinned out coat and even sores on your dog’s scalp. You don’t need me to tell you this is no good for any dog.
And finally but most importantly, don’t forget the dog treats and loads of praise for your dog during and when you are all done.
Copyright © Nov. 27, 2001 Vahneesa Norberg. All Rights Reserved.
Originally written for German Shepherd Rescue in the UK