Grooming Supplies
Regardless of whether you decide to use a groomer, you should still have grooming implements so you can groom your rottie yourself. These should include the following:
Slicker brush
Curry brush or Zoom Groom
Short comb
Flea comb
Dog toenail clippers
Styptic powder
Dog shampoo and conditioner
Otic solution
Cotton balls
Toothbrush for dogs
Toothpaste for dogs
Two useful pieces of equipment are a hair dryer for dogs and a grooming table. Dog hair dryers use forced air, but they have no heat, so they won't burn your rottie's skin. Grooming tables are great for you because they help prevent injury by raising the dog to a manageable height.
Don't use shampoo or conditioner for humans on dogs. They aren't correctly pH balanced for a dog's skin and can dry out your rottie's fur. Never use human toothpaste on dogs. The fluoride in human toothpaste is poisonous to dogs. Use only toothpaste specially formulated for dogs.
