Whether you have an adorable pup with long fur or a thick, curly coat, dog grooming is an essential part of keeping your furry family member healthy and feeling their best. While some breeds require near-constant attention to stay in good shape, learning how to manage your dog’s grooming at home can be incredibly rewarding. It can even become a relaxing, zen-like experience for both of you.
To help you get started, we are sharing the ultimate guide to dog grooming, packed with professional insights, tips, and tricks inspired by the training standards at Animal Behavior College.
1. Always Brush Before the Bath
One of the biggest mistakes pet parents make is plopping a tangled dog directly into the tub or under a hose. Professional groomers discourage this because water tightens mats and knots, making them much harder to brush out once the fur dries.
- The Trick: Run a brush through your dog’s coat thoroughly while they are dry. This clears out loose hair and dirt, keeps your drains from clogging, and ensures a seamless post-bath brush-out.
2. Don’t Over-Bathe Your Dog
It might be tempting to wash your dog every week to keep them smelling fresh, but frequent bathing actually does more harm than good. It strips the skin of natural oils, drying out their skin and leaving their fur looking dull.
- The Tip: Save full baths for when your dog is visibly dirty or starting to smell “doggy”. In between baths, keep their bedding washed and use deodorizing dog wipes or commercial dry shampoos to maintain freshness. For an easy DIY deodorizer, rub a little baking soda into your dog’s coat, let it sit for a few minutes, and brush it out.
3. Stretch Your Supplies (and Your Budget)
You don’t need to pour thick shampoo directly onto your dog’s back.
- The Trick: Professional groomers often water down dog shampoo before applying it. Diluting the shampoo makes it much more sudsy, helps it stretch further to save you money, and—most importantly—makes it significantly faster and easier to rinse entirely out of your dog’s coat.
4. Conquer Nail Trimming Anxiety
Trimming your dog’s nails can be intimidating because nicking the “quick” (the blood vessel and nerve inside the nail) hurts your pet and causes bleeding.
- The Tip: If your dog has clear nails, you can easily see the pink quick and cut just ahead of it. If they have black nails, trim only the very tip to play it safe. Trim their nails frequently in tiny amounts; over time, frequent trimming causes the quick to recede, making short nails much easier to maintain.
- The Trick: Always keep styptic powder on hand before you start cutting. If you accidentally clip the quick, apply the powder to stop the bleeding instantly. If you don’t have styptic powder, cornstarch or flour will work perfectly in a pinch.
5. Desensitize Your Dog to Loud Tools
The buzzing, blowing, and vibrating of electric clippers or blow dryers can terrify an untrained dog.
- The Tip: Never force a running appliance directly onto your dog right away. Instead, introduce the tool while it is turned off, letting your pup look at it and sniff it. Next, turn the appliance on across the room without touching your dog, slowly bringing it closer over time so they can get accustomed to the sound and vibration at their own pace.
6. Keep Coconut Oil on Hand
Grooming isn’t just about the fur—it’s about their skin and extremities too.
- The Trick: If you notice that your dog’s nose is looking dry or their paw pads are feeling rough and scaly, rub a little bit of organic coconut oil onto the area. It acts as a fantastic, safe moisturizer. Best of all, if your dog licks it off, it won’t hurt them—it’s actually good for them!
Preparation is Key
Before you start any grooming session, gather all your necessities beforehand. Have your brush, watered-down shampoo, a face-wiping rag, and plenty of towels right at your fingertips. Always place a rubber bath mat or a large towel at the bottom of the tub to keep your buddy from slipping around, which can be a very scary experience for them.