Grooming isn’t the most difficult part of dog ownership, but brushing your pooch’s belly may be a challenge. Some dogs don’t like having their bellies brushed, but with a little patience and positive reinforcement, even the spookiest dog will have a clean, well-groomed belly.
Step 1
Slip a collar over your dog’s head, and clip a leash to the collar. This helps keep your dog under control as you groom his belly.
Step 2
Spread a soft blanket out on the floor, and sit down on the blanket. Ask the dog to lay down, and give him a treat and soon as he is laying comfortably on one side. This makes it much easier to reach every part of his belly.
Step 3
Brush the dog’s belly with a soft dog brush. Brush slowly and gently, taking particular care around his genitals. Clean the brush often, removing clumps of dead hair from the bristles.
Step 4
Trim long hair around the dog’s genitals with a pair of small scissors. Urine stains hair along the underbelly and causes mats, and trimming it short keeps the dog clean and comfortable. Place your free hand between the skin and the scissors to prevent accidentally cutting the dog.
Step 5
Wipe the dog’s belly with baby wipes between baths. Baby wipes are formulated to clean and sanitize delicate skin, making them the perfect solution for dirty underbellies. Hold the wipe between your palms for 30 seconds to take the chill off and make your dog more comfortable.
References
Tips
- Groom your dog’s belly at least once a week.
- If the dog’s belly is severely matted, take him to a groomer. They will shave his entire belly with clippers to remove mats without cutting his skin.
Writer Bio
Louise Lawson has been a published author and editor for more than 10 years. Lawson specializes in pet and food-related articles, utilizing her 15 years as a sous chef and as a dog breeder, handler and trainer to produce pieces for online and print publications.