Your 10-month-old puppy is maturing and it's a good time to build on the grooming techniques you introduced as a puppy.

How to groom your dog

Most of us want a well-groomed dog, but time spent tending to his appearance has another benefit. By grooming your dog you’ll also become familiar with his body – making it that much easier to spot health problems quickly.

• The coat: At birth, 24 per cent of your puppy’s body weight was skin. At adulthood that percentage will reduce by about half – but that's still enough to make skin the largest organ in his body. Without high quality protein, vitamins and essential fatty acids his coat can become dry, weak and even fall out. So if you want his coat to have that high-shine look, check food packaging for the amount and quality of protein and the presence of omega-6 and 3 fatty acids.
• Brushing: Most dogs shed naturally twice a year (in spring and autumn) but you’ll still need to brush to remove mud and the occasional bits of foliage. Any dog (except short-haired breeds) need to be groomed daily, regardless of shedding. Brush using a soft-bristle brush while your dog is in a quiet mood. Distract him with a chew or toy and softly draw it over his body for a few seconds. The introduction to grooming should start when he is a very young puppy so be careful here if you’ve not done this before with him. A professional groomer can advise you on the correct brush for your breed and whether your dog needs clipping or stripping.
• Ears: Floppy ears need more regular care than uprights due to limited air circulation, which makes them sensitive to irritation and infection. Gently clean the outer flap with lightly moistened cotton wool while checking for red sore patches, dampness or excess wax. For spaniels and hounds get a shallow bowl to keep his ears dry and kibble-free.
• Eyes: Make sure your dog’s eyes keep sparkling. Light tear staining, a natural mucus build-up, can be cleaned with lightly moistened cotton wool. Call your vet if his eyes are red, inflamed or have excessive tear secretions.
• Teeth: Keep his teeth healthy using kibble with ingredients that help reduce tartar build-up and dog chews that help remove plaque. To prevent bad breath, painful gums and tooth loss you need to brush with a specialist dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste. Ask your vet for further advice. Ideally your vet should see your dog every six months, and at least once a year, for a dental check up.
• Nails: A vet should be the first to clip your dog’s nails but if you want to do it yourself thereafter, watch the vet carefully and ask his / her advice on how it’s done. Incorrect clipping can cause your dog pain and bleeding.
• Bathing: A dog naturally produces skin and coat oils to protect himself from infection, irritation and water. Unfortunately, at this age the instinct to roll in all manner of unpleasantness kicks in as he tries to disguise scent. If it’s totally necessary to bathe him, use a specially-formulated dog shampoo. If not, you’ll reduce his inbuilt defences.

How often should I go to the vet?

Travel plans, breed type, lifestyle and environment – all these things can affect your dog’s health in different ways. But as prevention is better than cure, book a six-monthly vet check up even if he looks like he doesn’t need one.

Worming and flea prevention are important and there are several products a vet can supply to prevent any problems. You should worm your dog at least once or twice a year and if you ever have to remove fleas with combs and medicated shampoos, really you're too late – your dog shouldn't get them in the first place. (If your dog does get fleas, remember his bed, your carpet and anywhere the dog lies will have to be flea-treated).

Your vet will also keep a record of your dog’s annual inoculations (such as the core vaccinations of parvovirus, distemper and rabies), and any others that may have been needed (such as kennel cough, infectious canine hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parainfluencza).

Coping with old fears and new

Just when you thought it was safe to vacuum the carpet, your teenager goes crazy about loud noise all over again. Don’t worry. It’s just a passing phase known as the second fear, or heightened awareness, period. If he starts to cower, try not to a) over reassure or b) make him confront his fears head on. Just approach each incident with calm patience and increase his exposure to experiences gradually. Another good idea is to invest in a sound de-sensitisation CD of scary noises, like fireworks and loud motorbikes. Play it quietly at first, increasing the volume over a series of weeks.

Improve your dog training technique

With improved hearing, sight and all-round concentration, 10 months old is a good time to start advanced training. Your dog will enjoy the mental workout and you’ll enjoy showing off an animal with more tricks than Lassie.

Clicker training for dogs evolved from laboratory experiments teaching rats and pigeons that a mechanical ‘click’ sound resulted in a reward. With a clicker (a small plastic box with a metal tongue that you press with your thumb) and an allowance from his daily kibble you can mark good behaviour. Eventually you replace the click with a vocal cue or hand signal. You can mark several dozen behaviours and link many together. To find a trainer in your area, speak to your vet or contact your local Kennel Club or the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Virtual courses are available online.

Eukanuba Care Line 00-800 241 53 414 Hours: Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm • Email an expert

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