In thinking that you had saved, you will end up paying more if ever your pet needs to be treated. Consider Aloe Vera shampoos. You are probably using one. The good news is that you can use this same shampoo for your dog. When mixed with water, the solution can work just as well as any other dog shampoo. Ear infection can be caused by long hair blocking the passage of air and creating a buildup of not only wax but also dirt and debris. Nails Get your pet used to someone holding their foot. Don't be afraid to touch your pet's feet, this will you or your pet's groomer in clipping your pet's nails. In clipping dog's nails make sure to use nail clippers that are meant for dogs. Just as long as you feel that your pet's hair is longer than necessary, then it is time to cut away those ends. 5. Flea comb. Flea combs serve two purposes. One is to maintain the shine and keep tangles away. Another is to remove fleas that might have somehow gotten into your pet's hair. Make it a habit to comb your pet's hair so that fleas will eventually fall out of his hair and prevent uncomfortable itchiness. These times are important for your pet. It is their assurance that they are loved and cared for. If you do not have all the time to spare to bond with your pet, you can make up for it during grooming times. It will not take more than 2 hours of your day to do this. For your pet, that time is worth more. Scissors style nail clipper or the guillotine style clipper will do the job but be careful on using it. There are different sizes available if you are going to purchase any of the two to fit your dog's toenail size. Trimming your dog's coat is important not only in keeping the dog look neat, but also in maintaining the coat healthy. Grooming your dog should be done carefully and properly. You should know the right way on how to groom your particular dog since different dog breeds should require different approach and grooming frequency. Books and internet articles are two rich sources of information about the proper grooming. Learning from these could be very helpful.