Maintenance

Wash food and water bowls with soap and water. Daily is good. Even the water bowl will acquire an ecosystem of its own if it's only rinsed and refilled.

Bathing - It's usually not necessary unless they get dirty. No more than once a week in tepid water. If you smell anything funky, it's probably yeast, which is caused and not cured by bathing - cut back the bathing and feed a bit of yogurt. Avoid getting the head wet. Be warned that wet dogs like to zoom-dry.

Brushing - Hair daily. Teeth at least weekly. A dental chew is not enough on its own because they don't chew with their front teeth.

Toenails - Monthly. Most people are nervous about this because the toenails can be cut too close and bleed quite a bit. There is a toenail clipper you can get with a safety guard so you don't take too much off at a time. If it does bleed uncontrollably, it can be treated with starch or baking soda, which will sting. I recommend cutting monthly within your comfort zone and then getting a pro trim yearly if you're unsure.

Ears - Waxy buildup can cause irritation and infection. You can pluck the inner ear hair to prevent it. It doesn't hurt. It may not be necessary. Check frequently for waxy buildup, and your vet will probably let you know if you need to.

Eyes - They sometimes get eye boogers. Some are more prone than others. Dab the corner of the eye with a tissue and the goo will cling to it.

Haircuts - Seasonal. You might choose to skip a winter haircut for the warmth but I'd definitely cut them short in the spring and summer. If cutting at home, use clippers with a guard as the skin is very tuggable and may get pulled into the shears, and check the temperature of the metal against your skin frequently because it gets hot.

Buttcuts - Trim the hair under the tail more often to avoid a rather unpleasant experience for both you and your dog. For puppy, you might want to keep it trimmed especially close if it tends to wobble and sit while squatting. You should be able to see the exit clearly while the tail is pointing up.

Glands - You may hear or read somewhere that you need to express the anal glands. I wouldn't recommend it unless your vet suggests it. It shouldn't be necessary unless the dog has an issue, which could develop as a result of doing it without a reason.

Worms - They can come from anywhere (food, mosquitoes, fleas, environment) and puppies can even be born with them if the mother has ever had them in her life. If you see your dog scratching their butt against the floor, it may be worms. Another sign is a visible presence in the droppings. If you see them, collect a sample for the vet because they'll be better at identifying the type of worm. It's a simple and cheap fix once you figure it out.

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