Give him a treat as soon as you touch him. However, if your Saint hasn't been handled a lot early on he may be hesitant to allow grooming. The Saint Bernard can develop certain health problems including hip and elbow dysplasia, cardiomyopathy, cancers such as osteosarcoma (bone cancer), and gastric torsion (bloat). Whether you have a show dog or a companion dog, the same basic care is given regarding nutrition, socialization, and hygiene. Prep work includes ear cleaning, nail trimming, anal glands, and proper dental hygiene. This will set expectations for grooming sessions for his entire life. Try to avoid using a circular motion to avoid any further tangling. This breed is easygoing, gentle, and patient with children if not necessarily playful. If you are worried about making a mess inside your house, try bathing your St. Bernard outdoors using a large tub or child's pool. Squirt a line of dog shampoo down your St. Bernard's back and use your hands to work it into a thick lather. Fill your bathtub with about 6 or 8 inches of warm water and have your St. Bernard get in. Do not move the dryer back and forth quickly. bb st bernard image by nathalie diaz from. White markings are required. Use a grooming rake to remove loose and dead hair from your St. Bernard's undercoat. Allow him to listen to what they sound like and feel the vibration of them on his skin Soap residue that remains in the coat can irritate your St. Bernard's skin. Keep your voice calm and your tone soft and continue to give your Saint treats as you groom him. Because St. Bernards are very large, grooming can be a major expense that many St. Bernard owners prefer to avoid by grooming their dogs themselves. He is going to shed a lot and he will be Never hesitate to use treats to encourage your Saint Bernard to calm down. Long, unsightly nails are uncomfortable for the dog, as well as anyone they might jump on. good belly rub and a tasty piece of cheese. This type of matting if left unattended can lead to the development of numerous skin issues. Keeping your Saint Bernards attention isn't hard to do with a Trimming the pads of the foot helps give the dog good traction on different surfaces and can minimize the amount of dirt the dog tracks into the house. Brush your dog at least twice a week with a large pin brush. St. Bernards have two coat varieties, smooth and rough. When the coat is dirty, the hair shaft becomes rough and eventually breaks down, which can lead to the coat becoming damaged. For instance, touch your Saint Bernard's paw, then give him a treat. Before you drop any liquid into your dog's ear canal, check with your vet to make sure his eardrums are intact. Before the bath, take a few minutes to take a high-velocity dryer over the coat to loosen any dirt and debris from the skin and to loosen any cobweb matting. Blow the coat out with an HV dryer to remove excess moisture. Use a cotton ball to wipe away dirt, ear wax and excess cleansing solution. Consistent grooming will help keep the shedding under control. For the best results, select a dog shampoo designed to whiten the white areas of your dog's coat. This happens in two very rapid steps. You can add calming music to the room and even use essential oils such as lavender in your grooming session. You're going to be essentially teaching your Saint Bernard how to tolerate grooming techniques and procedures. It is a good idea to slightly cool the water temperature down when rinsing the coat. If so, continue to brush and comb those areas. Repeat this every day so your Saint is used to the grooming tools and being touched in unusual places such as his mouth or ears. Avoid getting any water in his nose, eyes and ears. before grooming you need to make him comfortable and relaxed. dirty from food, drool, and anything he can get into. If you have the opportunity to own your Saint Bernard as a young puppy, handle him a lot early on. These very powerful dogs weigh 130 to 180 pounds according to the AKC standard, and have very dense, smooth coats that can be short or long. The coat should be light, shiny, and stand off the dog. Don't let the giant size of your Saint Bernard fool you. This breed makes wonderful family companions with obedience training and daily exercise, but due to their larger size, may do better living in the country or suburbs. Mastering these skills sets the professional pet stylist apart from the rest. Trim the fur on your dog's feet to prevent the formation of mats. the very end. Practice with conditioning behaviors will help him to relax. St. Bernards are a large breed legendary for their work as rescue dogs. Therefore, keeping the coat clean and healthy is of utmost importance in order to maintain the abundant thick coat. Use a pair of small, sharp scissors to cut the fur between the toes so it is even with the pads. Talk to him and pet him. Lack of maintenance can contribute to the formation of the cobweb matting that forms close to the skin. All dogs need to have their ears checked and cleaned on a regular basis. Start by sitting in front of your dog and giving him a treat. Saint Bernard Club of America: Bathing a Saint Bernard. He is a gentle, kind, loving giant beast who is eager to please Sit on the floor with your Saint Berard. Be sure to hold the nozzle far enough away to prevent the coat from tangling. Continue to practice touching your Saint Bernard in various places that are uncomfortable for him, such as his eyes, his ears, lifting his jowls to look at his teeth, spreading his paws, and anywhere else your pup will be touched for grooming touch during his handling session. New owners should be prepared for drool there is no such thing as a dry mouth Saint. The standard calls for a Saint to be in a natural state. Long nails also compromise the shape of the foot. This area should be free of distractions. Touch your dog's face and then give him a treat. Copyright 2022 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. if your Saint Bernard is not used to being handled on a regular basis, he might be a little wild, anxious, and To get your big guy used to grooming, poke and prod during times outside of grooming sessions. This will help to control shedding and keep your dog's coat smooth and healthy. Wet the coat and apply the shampoo by squeezing it through the coat making certain you have worked it all the way through the coat down to the skin. It is always quite helpful if your breeder can help mentor you to lead you in the right direction upon entering the wonderful world of dog shows. He will need to be groomed Once the dog is completely dry, line brush, working in sections until the dog is tangle free. As a final check, use a firm slicker brush throughout the coat, and little to no hair should be apparent on the brush. A wide-toothed comb should easily glide through the coat with no resistance all the way down to the skin. Squeeze a bead of dog shampoo around your dog's neck. will make grooming tolerable and even rewarding for you both. Rinse your dog thoroughly, using the pet sprayer or handheld shower head to remove all soap residue from the undercoat. Thorough shampooing will contribute to building a healthy, strong, and manageable coat. Rather, hold the dryer in one place and slowly move it through the coat. Originally used to locate freezing and helpless travelers during snowstorms, the Saint Bernard now uses his intelligence and strength in conformation and obedience competitions, cart pulling and weight pulling. Go over your St. Bernard's body with a large slicker brush to work free any small mats that remain. apprehensive before grooming sessions. If your dog has a rough coat, grooming could take a little longer. This good-natured dog can be bathed as frequently as weekly up to no longer than every 8 weeks depending on his activity level. A healthy coat is light, airy, and has a natural shine. Start a grooming session in the area you practiced on using grooming tools. 2022 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved. If you do not brush your dog first, this hair could form mats during bathing. Each day you can pick a new area to touch such as his teeth or tail to get him used to being handled in a grooming manner. Their coats can be long or short and range in color from deep brown to brown-yellow. The coat should start standing off the skin and not mat up. Start with his favorite places such as his belly and move to areas that make him anxious, such as his ears or mouth. Hold the rake at a 45-degree angle to your dog's body and move the rake in short, firm strokes along your dog's back, sides and legs. Good dental hygiene is essential for a healthy pet as well. You may need to pause frequently to remove dead hair from the brush. If you have trouble getting the water to penetrate your dog's thick undercoat, try using a pet sprayer or handheld shower head. If you need to brush his teeth, do it this way, rewarding with very rapid treating rewards. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English with a creative writing concentration from Marietta College. Do this every time you groom your Saint Bernard,and eventually, you will find yourself treating less often because your dog will be tolerant and calm and ready for the grooming session. However, The Saint Bernard does require routine bathing and brushing. It is important to brush your dog before you bathe him in order to remove any loose or dead hair from his coat. How to Groom a Dog with a Thick Undercoat, How to Trim a Dog's Nails That Are Too Long, How to Calm a Saint Bernard Before Grooming. Work as close to the bottom of the mat as you can to save as much of the coat as possible. While in your quiet environment with your Saint Benard, gently touch one area at a time such as his ears. Remember to give your Saint Berard treats throughout the grooming process. In many cases, mats must be cut out. This will discourage any fleas that may be on your dog's body from moving up onto his head during the bath. Symptoms of infection include foul odor and dark or yellowish discharge. With this heavy, combination coat, proper bathing and drying techniques lay the groundwork for achieving a beautiful coat and healthy skin. Your goal here will be to train him how to be handled without feeling anxious or scared. Cut out severe mats using a pair of straight shears. Drain the tub and use a large bath towel to dry your St. Bernard. Calming his anxieties early on in life or in the grooming session Prep work should be done before every bathing and grooming appointment. Some caring pet owners prefer to have the anal glands done by their veterinarian. It also affords the opportunity to treat and condition the paws from cracks and abrasions. Your large Saint will work incredibly hard for the tiniest bit of food. Your Saint Bernard is bred to be calm and patient. If your Saint Bernard is going to be professionally groomed, let your groomer know of his anxieties so your groomer does not do anything to aggravate them. You're letting him know that you are allowed to touch those areas and he will be rewarded for letting you do so. Wet your dog's coat by pouring water over him using a large cup or bucket. If you need to clean or trim your dog's ears, keep him entertained and distracted or otherwise preoccupied with quick treats. Pay particular attention to the neck, chest, and hindquarter area as they can get packed with excessive coat. often. Repeat this process anytime you need to groom your Saint Bernard. Once the bath is complete, blot the coat with a towel to remove excessive moisture. Once you have blown out any loose hair and have and lightly brushed through the dog, you are ready for the bath! A great place to start is the Saint Bernard Club of America, https://saintbernardclub.org/. This coat needs to be brushed weekly in order to prevent the dog from becoming matted and tangled. If you're using something like clippers, let him Accidentally cutting the quick of the nail can cause pain and severe bleeding. Your Saint Bernard is a big fluffy teddy bear. Both long-haired and short-haired Saint Bernards shed and need regular grooming. Work the lather all over your dog's body, avoiding the head. Place your Saint Bernard in a calm and quiet area for grooming. You might have to pull the dryer farther away from the skin to prevent it from tangling the coat. Do not attempt to trim your St. Bernard's nails unless you have been trained to do so by a veterinarian or experienced professional. Practice this soft gentle touch for each area that will be groomed during this session. Check his teeth, lift up his ears, stick your fingers gently inside his ears, feel his gums, brush his teeth, rub his belly, pull apart his toes, tug on the hairs between his paw pads, and always give him a treat when you're done. If you suspect your dog has an ear infection, visit your veterinarian.