As I was brushing Clue the other day, I realized that we haven't spent any time on grooming and it's impact on training.

If our dogs are conditioned to accept gentle restraint and handling, we are well on the way to enjoying a better relationship. Grooming provides our dogs with an opportunity to become accustomed to being restrained without fear and they also become accustomed to being touched on all parts of their bodies.

If our dogs are accustomed to being handled, then mild physical corrections and positioning during training are non issues.

Regular grooming sessions should become part of our weekly routines. Have Buddy lie down on an old sheet on the floor and get down there with him. If you have a grooming table – lovely – but personally, I prefer to groom on the floor and spend a couple of hours watching television, chatting with Ron and brushing one of the dogs. It makes for a lovely evening – the end result of which is a really fine looking dog.

Even if you have a shortcoated dog such as ol' Boxerdawg, Buddy, grooming still happens. I brush him with a soft bristled brush.

A grooming session also provides an opportunity to have a thorough look at Buddy. Any cuts, fleas, bumps or conditions out of the ordinary that might require further attention or a visit to the veterinarian?

If you've not spent much time grooming, start off slowly. You don't want to make this a battle zone. The first few sessions should be short and positive. As both you and Buddy become comfortable with a grooming routine, you can build the length of the session.

If Buddy's coat is matted, you should probably spend the money and have Buddy groomed professionally. Once all the mats are removed, you can then keep him in tip top form and trips to the groomer would be occasional for trimming or clipper work – if you have a breed which requires this kind of specialized grooming.

When you are brushing, remember to get right down to the skin. Just brushing the top of the coat doesn't do the job. You need to divide the hair into sections and then brush each section thoroughly.

Regular deep brushing minimizes the need for frequent baths. There are those who believe that regular bathing dries the skin. I give my dogs a bath when they need it. If the coat feels heavy or oily – they get a bath. They don't need many, however, and I believe it's because they are deep brushed regularly which maintains a clean smell which I believe is because their coats have been kept in good condition through regular brushing. Kind of a circle – isn't it?

If you have a double coated breed, you'll find there are times of the year when the fine, insulating undercoat will be coming out. It's those times that grooming is doubly important in that Buddy will need to be brushed often in order to keep up with the "blowing" of the undercoat. Using a slicker, a comb and a pin brush will do the job AND make it a simple job.

I have a friend who theorizes that double coated breeds blow their undercoats near their birthdays. She could be right. I had a Shetland Sheepdog years ago who was born in December. Every year, in early December, Teddy would begin his annual shed. Strange. Other dogs were building coat and he was getting rid of his.

There are some really good breed specific grooming books available which will assist you in learning the "how to's" of grooming for certain looks.

I've experimented a lot. Sometimes the results have been pretty bad, but I keep telling myself, the difference between a good hair cut and a bad one is 6 weeks. In other words, don't be afraid to try to do it yourself.

Buddy Boxerdawg is a real fidget case. He's gotten to the point that he quite enjoys being brushed, but such was not always the case. When we started (he was 8 weeks old), I used Terry Ryan's idea of putting a smudge of peanut butter on a washable vertical surface (the fridge). The peanut butter was at nose level and it distracted him and provided me with control of his head for a few strokes of the brush. It wasn't long until he jumped for joy when he saw the brush.

Grooming isn't just about brushing – it's teeth and nails as well.

There are some really neat canine toothbrushes that are little rubber contraptions that fit over one's index finger. Canine toothpaste can be obtained which comes in either chicken or beef flavour. Wet the toothbrush (after it's on your finger) put a little toothpaste on it and go after those teeth. Don't miss massaging the gums and get right back to the last molars.

Here's a little trivia for you – do you know how many teeth a dog has? 42 in total – 20 on top and 22 on the bottom.

Nails – I have a friend who thinks it's the "click" of the clipper that causes anxiety in some dogs. I think she's right. Buddy's predecessor "Bo" was really anxious about having his nails done. I used Tellington Touch on his feet firstly. After several Ttouch sessions with my hand I moved to using the clipper. I didn't do any cutting, but rather just did the touches with the clipper instead. This went on for about a week. Then I found a little twig and clipped the twig letting Bo hear the noise. After each "clip", I gave him a treat. It wasn't long until Bo was "okay" with having his nails done. He never did enjoy it, but he tolerated it and we didn't have a fight every time nails were in need of doing.

While you're at it, don't forget to check ears. They shouldn't have any smell. If you have a breed that has a lot of hair in the ear canal, the hair should be removed. Poodles often have lots of fine hair in the canal. It can cause problems if left in there. Have your veterinarian, groomer or an experienced friend show you how to remove it. If you have a breed that doesn't have hair in the ear canal, then a little light oil (non scented) on some cotton wrapped around your finger will help keep the ear canal clean without causing injury. Personally, I use a product made for cleaning ears. There are several available.

Remember, too, the eyes. Every morning, the "sleep" should be removed with a tissue wrapped around your finger. By doing this daily, you'll be aware of any developing problems early. Also, removing the debris makes for a prettier face and expression.

Once you've become accustomed to grooming Buddy, both of you will find it an enjoyable experience. The benefits derived will transfer to training in that Buddy will be familiar with your touch and will welcome it.

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