Regular grooming is essential to your Sibe's health and well being. Regular combing and brushing will keep their coat clean and healthy. It will also stimulate the skin, and allow the natural oils to circulate to the coat. It provides a means of carefully checking for potentially serious health problems. Check areas for hair loss, inflammation, unusual tenderness or lumps under the skin. Constant scratching in a specific area may also indicate a problem. Always consult with your veterinarian about any unusual problems found.

Grooming your Sibe accomplishes so much more than just making their coat look nice and shiny. It also provides you with the opportunity to spend some "quality time" with your Sibe, combing, brushing, bathing and overall bonding with them.

It is important to establish and stick to a regular schedule of grooming. Schedule at a convenient time for both you and your Sibe. A good time to do this is after the Sibe has been walked, while they are relieved and calm. Select a time when you will not be interrupted.

Moving the hair aside and examining the skin closely helps find signs of fleas, ticks or skin irritations. Looking for any unusual problems with the coat such as mats, tangles, dandruff, etc. makes your Sibe healthier and more comfortable. Learn where your Sibe likes to be combed and brushed and where they don't. All Sibes have sensitive areas that need to be groomed a little more gently and carefully than others. Usually their tales and bellies are more sensitive. By paying special attention to these areas, you will help make your Sibe more comfortable while being groomed, and they will not resist future grooming sessions. You will also become familiar with areas that they enjoy having groomed. This is helpful if you need to calm them during stressful times such as veterinary visits. Let your Sibe sniff the brush and comb before you begin grooming, and then talk to your Sibe in a reassuring tone during grooming. If the grooming procedure is made comfortable for your Sibe, they will begin to look forward to regular grooming sessions. Of course, some Sibes are more set in their ways than others and brushing will be a chore. Patience and perseverence pay off here.Brush or comb in the direction of hair growth, combing small sections at a time, until the coat is tangle free. Start at the head, working toward the tail and down the legs. Pay particular attention to the legs and flanks, and areas that easily mat. If the coat has a particularly stubborn knot or tangle, you may have to trim it off with scissors. A slicker brush can be used to remove mats.

Like children, puppies have short attention spans. Select a time when the puppy is less energetic. Start with short grooming sessions, five minutes or so. Constantly talk to your puppy in a gentle, reassuring tone while grooming to make them feel comfortable. This will make them more accustomed to being handled and examined. Eventually, they will be comfortable being groomed, and will look forward to the time with you.