What do you do when you're grooming your dog? Are there any special supplies' you use?

Here's a list of everything I use on Tango and what I do with each:

- Thinning shears (for the ears & paws)
- Regular scissors (for paws also, just for tidying up a bit around the edges and evening out the bottom...using a clipper would be easier, but I don't have one)
- Slicker brush (only during the winter, she barely has an undercoat in the summer)
- Pin brush (I only use it on her tail, it does nothing for the rest of her body since her coat is so thin)
- Metal combination comb (wide toothed on one end, narrow on the other...used on her entire body)
- Undercoat rake (used during 'shedding season' to get rid of her winter coat faster, it cuts my time way back and is easier on the skin than the slicker)
- Zoom Groom (For the bath, it's wonderful at lathering up the shampoo, and Tango loves it)
- Spray bottle (with water inside, plus a bit of dog conditioner. Simply for when her static is acting up, making it hard to brush her properly)
- Shampoo & conditioner (I use all different things, right now I'm using Fresh & Clean, but Lambert Kay but I like to try all different brands so when i go into a pet specialty store or a dog show I'll usually pick up something else)

I'm not sure whether I'm missing anything or not, but I *think* that's all. I've also used a stripper on her and a shedding blade but I don't use those often, only when she's shedding badly. I don't brush my dogs' teeth anymore, they don't need it. If there is a bit of plaque, I do have a dental pick that I scrape it off with.

On Winston & Tia I use a hound glove (I think thats what its called anyway) and on Morgan I use the same comb I use on Tango, a shedding blade and the slicker brush.
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Are there any special things you do when you groom your dog that most/some people don't do?
I have absolutely no idea, to be honest. I've never watched anyone else groom their dog before..

Do you have any methods when clipping your dogs' toenails?
I don't do their nails myself, a friend uses her dremel on them (I don't have one of my won, but if I did, I'd do them myself). When they get their nails done they lay flat on their side on her grooming table.

Do you trim your dogs fur and whiskers? Where do you trim fur?
I don't trim whiskers, I like whiskers for some reason. I trimmed Tango's once and thought she look weird. On Tango, I trim her leg feathers, her paws, her ears, her chest, her tail (only a bit, just to keep it looking good) and I think thats all. On Morgan, I trim her paws and her longer hairs on her back legs. Tia & Winston require no trimming at all.

What do you use to clean their ears?
Tango's ears never, ever get dirty so she rarely has them cleaned (I check all the time, she never needs it though). I've tried cleaning them a couple times just to see if maybe they were dirty and I just wasn't seeing it but they weren't. I use a cotton ball & some rubbing alcohol...cleans them well. I also use q-tips if they're really dirty, which they rarely are. We have a bottle of cleaning solution from the vet but it doesn't work as well.

What kind of soap do you use when giving your dog a bath? Is it a special or expensive kind of soap?
I'm assuming you mean shampoo (not soap). Right now I'm using Lambert Kay Fresh & Clean Oatmeal and Baking Soda shampoo but as I said already, I'm always trying new stuff. Fresh & Clean is the only shampoo available at Petsmart that I actually like but when I go to pet specialty stores or dog shows I'll pick something else up usually. Not anything expensive in my opinion, but maybe to some it would be.

Do you use conditioner on your dog? Is it a special dog conditioner?
Always. Helps cut back static for Tango and makes them nice and soft. It is dog conditioner, but I'm not sure if its anything special. As with shampoo, I'm always getting different brands.

For long-haired dogs do you give them a full hair cut?
I just trim Tango a bit.

Do you ever paint your dog's nails?
No, never.

Do you brush your dogs teeth?
Not any more. I used to, but they get raw bones once a week (sometimes twcice) and they get/keep their teeth really clean. If there is plaque, I use a dental pick to get it off. Works much better than brushing them.