The best tips for grooming a Lhasa Apso are brushing the coat prior to bathing the dog and trimming the hair around its paws for a polished look. The Lhasa Apso has a long, dense coat, which mandates daily brushing to eliminate the risk of matting, and to keep the coat looking smooth and shiny. To avoid accidentally nicking the dog with a clippers, it should be able to lay on its side or back quietly for minutes at a time. Training the dog early on will help the dog learn to sit or lie quietly.
Although brushing the dog should be done every day, grooming a Lhasa Apso should be done approximately every one to two weeks. Grooming a Lhasa Apso should include giving it a bath and removing tangles from the coat. Keeping the coat maintained is not hard if brushing and combing is done regularly, however, if the coat is neglected, a mat comb or splitter may be needed to break the mat apart. In severe cases, the mats may need to be cut out to avoid painful pulling of the dog’s delicate skin.
While grooming a Lhasa Apso, it may be helpful to wash to coat with a quarter-sized amount of coat conditioner to smooth away tangles. Pet detangler, which is available at most pet stores, can also be sprayed on the coat to facilitate easier combing and impart a sleek shine to the coat. Spraying grooming products onto a dog’s coat should be done carefully to avoid contact with the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Grooming a Lhasa Apso may also involve pinning its hair in place with hair bands or barrettes to avoid hair from falling into the eyes, which can cause tearing and staining around the eyes. It is important, however, that the elastic hair band and barrettes not be fastened too tight, as this can cause the hair to pull and hurt the dog. The ears of the dog should also be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent odor and possible infection. A commercial pet ear cleanser can be used by saturating cotton balls and gently washing the outer area of the ear. Pushing the cotton too far inside the ear canal can damage delicate tissues and cause significant pain.
Nail care also needs to be considered when grooming a Lhasa Apso. Their nails grow relatively fast and should be trimmed every few weeks. The nails should be clipped carefully and clipping should stop well before reaching the quick. Nicking this sensitive area can cause significant bleeding. If a dog owner is not comfortable clipping the nails, the dog should be taken to a professional dog groomer or the veterinarian’s office.