Give your pooch a much-needed spruce up in lockdown with these easy tips

A ­regular on TV’s This Morning, Stuart tells Laura Stott how to make your pooch look top dog with the aid of Maltese terrier Seamus.

Step one: Nails

Check claws regularly in lockdown.

Dogs should always walk on their paw pads, so if their nails touch the ground when standing they need some attention. If nails have started curling or cutting into the paw pad call your vet for advice.

File with a canine nail grinder, file or emery board (widely available from pet stores). Unless you’ve been trained to use nail clippers they are best left for professionals.

Place the dog in a comfortable position on your lap or a low table. Wrapping small, wriggly dogs in a towel often helps, while bigger dogs may require a second pair of hands.

Hold each individual nail between finger and thumb to prevent movement, pull back any hair covering the nail and gently file or grind the nails a little at a time. A dog’s nail contains a blood vessel so take special care with black-coloured claws, where it won’t be visible.

Remove grass seeds or other debris embedded in the paw pads. Be confident and talk calmly to your pup.

Take your time and stop to reassure them if they become worried.

Use treats as a distraction and give lots of vocal praise.

Stop two: Bath

Start with a quick brush to detangle and remove debris. Washing a knotty coat can cause matting.

You can bath your dog in the shower, sink or tub depending on its size.

Dogs like to feel secure so use a non-slip mat or a towel on the bottom to give them good grip.

Test your water temperature – they need tepid or warm water to enjoy a bath – then wet your pooch, starting with the body, legs then head. Warning – you will probably get wet, too.

Shampoo and rinse thoroughly, being extra gentle around the head area. Get all the suds out otherwise your dog may become itchy.

Always use special dog shampoo – humans have different PH levels to dogs – and check the instructions carefully as some need diluting.

Towel dry in the bath, then stand back . . .

Stop three: Dry

It is best not to leave your dog outside to air dry as it will likely end up rolling around in grass or dirt.

Instead, rub your dog down with a towel to remove excess water.

It’s nice to put the towel in the tumble dryer or over a radiator beforehand so it feels like a warm cuddle to your pet.

If your pooch is nervous around hairdryers, a good towel dry will suffice.

However, if they are comfortable with a dryer it will help to do the job quickly and thoroughly.

Don’t use full heat, keep the dryer on low and move air around to lift and separate hair.

Ideally you should keep your hand over their ear canals to prevent discomfort.

Brush the area where the hairdryer is directed to prevent knots and tangles forming and give a sleek finish.

Step four: Brush

When the pup is dry, give it a good brush with the correct tool for its coat.

Slicker brushes are good for knotty medium to long hairs, pin brushes for silky coats and curry combs for breeds that shed.

Part the coat and brush from the root of the hair towards the end.

If it snags, brush smaller amounts of hair until it glides through.

A doggy spray conditioner will make brushing easier for you and more enjoyable for your pet. (Try Julie Harris Coat Management Spray £10.95, groomers-online. com)

Areas where hair gets matted can become painful, so carefully brush out armpits, tummies, legs, ears and tails.

Finish by combing through the coat to ensure all dead hair and tangles are removed.

Step five: Style

While you can’t get to the groomers for a proper trim or clip, some breeds will benefit from the short-term fix of having their hair tied up.

This is likely to include smaller dogs such as shih tzus, poodles, cockapoos and Yorkies.

To tie up, first hold your dog’s head securely.

Use a comb to capture the hair from the front and back corner of the eyes.

Comb back and band or clip in place. Check the eye is relaxed and not overstretched.

Short hair can just be captured between the eyes and banded while longer hair can be banded further back.

Only ever tie up dry hair. Wet hair will tighten and cause discomfort.

Step six: Eyes & Ears

Get into the habit of cleaning your dog’s eyes daily, even if they look clean.

Use an alcohol or scent-free wet wipe, or a damp flannel or cotton wool pad, and wipe downwards gently to remove any gunk.

Ears should be pale pink and scent-free. If they are smelly or look red, your dog could have an infection so call your vet for advice.

Wipe dirty ears with a wet wipe or damp flannel. Never go down the ear canal or attempt to pluck ear hairs. Only clean what you can see.

If your dog has a build-up of tear stains around the eyes, don’t trim them away, wait until a professional can help.

Although they look unsightly these won’t hurt your dog at all. Always ask your vet or a dog groomer for help if you are unsure.

Theyre stressed out too: 7 ways to help

DOGS are struggling with the corona crisis as well as humans. These tips from The Kennel Club will help handle the topsy-turvy times.

1. KEEP TO A ROUTINE: If possible, make sure your dog gets up and goes to bed at a similar time each day, and have regular times for feeding and playing. Include some quiet periods when they are left by themselves. This will help prepare them for when you can eventually leave them alone for short periods again.
2. ESSENTIAL EXERCISE: You can still walk your dog once a day as normal, or twice if there is more than one adult in your household. But it is important that you supplement the normal exercise routine with activities at home to keep them entertained. Bored dogs may start displaying behavioural issues, such as chewing furniture.
3. USE FOOD: Try a food puzzle to make meal times a little more stimulating for your dog, or use fun toys that are designed to hide food in. (Try Kong Classic, £7, ). Hide treats around the garden or house and send your pooch off in search of them. Scent work can keep your dog busy for ages.
4. PLAY: Most dogs love playing. A good game of indoor fetch or tug-of-war will help keep them busy. If you are inside, play on non-slip surfaces to avoid injury. Do not overdo it and always give regular breaks and access to fresh water.
5. TOY TIME: Use toys and dental chews to keep your dog stimulated and stop them gnawing on other things. Try a toy rotation, giving them a different one each day and putting the old one away. This will prevent boredom from setting in and keep toys feeling new and exciting.
6. NEW TRICKS: Learning a new trick or command is great mental stimulation for a dog. Get out the treats and try to teach “roll over”, “sit” or “paw”. There are lots of great videos online with helpful advice.
7. WATCH AND LISTEN: At home, keep the curtains or blinds open so your dog can see what’s going on in the outside world. Put a cushion or a chair by the window to let them see outside. You could even play a dog podcast especially for them to listen too (My Dog’s Favourite Podcast, )
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