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Keep shampoo clear of the eyes even if the shampoo claims to be tearless. Work the shampoo into the coat not forgetting any areas including the bottoms of the feet. Rinse the shampoo thoroughly, letting the water rinse until it runs clear from the coat.

Squeeze any excess water from the coat and then use a heavy towel to remove as much water as possible. A cage dryer can be used to get the coat damp-dry and a hand blow-dryer should be used to get the coat fully dry. Working from the rear to the head, allow the blow-dryer to separate the hairs. Dry one area at a time and using a brush will help keep the hairs from tangles.

To make the coat stand away from the body, brush against the grain while the coat is still damp. Using the dryer and carefully brushing until the coat is fluffed and then ending by brushing the coat back down around the body.

Some groomers prefer to groom the ears, teeth and nails before bathing. I prefer to do these tasks after but this is a choice of the dog owner/groomer. Cleaning the ears is a simple process of using a cotton ball dampened in some water. Some individuals use mineral oil and ear powder. Do not clean into the ear canals and Q-tips are best avoided. Overgrown hairs in the ears can be trimmed with small scissors. Hemostat scissors are the safest alternative because of their bent shape, keeping the dog safe if it happens to move.

Trimming the nails should be approached with caution for the novice groomer. Inside the toenail is a "quick" that can hurt if cut and even bleed. Trimming the nails a little at a time is the best method for those who are not comfortable with this process. There are new tools available for nail trimming that have made this process much simpler for pet owners.

The eyes can also be wiped down with a cotton ball dampened with water and the teeth should be brushed to remove any plaque build-up. Clean in between the pads on the underside of the paws and trim any long hairs that may be growing in the pads. This will help keep debris from being packed in the hairs of the paws.

Basic grooming of the Norwegian Elkhound is simple-keep the coat brushed on a regular basis and bathe the dog only when needed, which is rarely. Because of the shedding process of the Elkhound, he will normally groom himself which keeps his coat clean. Brushing the coat regularly, especially when shedding will keep the Elkhound's coat in proper condition and help prevent matting and tangles.

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