Everything You Need To Know About At-Home Dog Grooming!

by | Mar 17, 2022 | General Information

Leslie has embraced at-home dog grooming. She wants to make her dog, Wally, look and feel like a champ. But the first time she gave him a bath, Wally had an expression of pure misery on his face. His body trembled, and a low whine gradually escalated into a rousing rendition of the song of his people. How can Leslie make this better?

With a bit of time, know-how, and equipment, you can save trips to groomers and some money by taking care of dog grooming at home. And if you teach your dog that grooming is a pleasant experience, it can also be a bonding activity between you and your dog. 

The Benefits of Dog Grooming

It’s Good for Your Dog

Basic dog grooming involves brushing, trimming, nail clipping, and the occasional bath. Regular grooming removes shed fur, dirt, unknown odors, and little things that get stuck in the fur. Brushing helps spread skin oils and is an excellent opportunity to check for ticks, injuries or other things that shouldn’t be there. A good brushing feels great to many dogs, mainly because your attention is focused on them. 

Who Needs What?

Every dog needs grooming. What they need and how often depends on the coat type and their lifestyle. A dog with long hair, curly hair, or an undercoat needs more grooming work than a short-haired dog. If your dog is click-clacking every time they walk on wood or tile floors, it’s time to cut the nails. Dogs who spend a lot of time outside wallowing in mud and other unsavory things will need more of your grooming attention. 

What’s in the At-Home Dog Grooming Tool Bag?

Professional groomers use a wide variety of top-of-the-line dog grooming tools. You can go crazy and buy all the tools you can find, but chances are you don’t need that much. It would be best if you had the basics:

  • Brush(es);
  • Scissors/shears;
  • Nail clippers;
  • Shampoo ;
  • Towels ;
  • A tub for baths;
  • A table or other place to cut or trim fur (if you don’t want to sit on the ground).

Brushes

The best brush depends on your dog’s coat. We recommend FURminator for high-quality products. A few brush types to consider are:

  • Slicker brush: removes shed hair ;
  • Dog comb: stainless steel, for long-haired dogs, detangles, removes mats;
  • Metal pin brush: good for long-haired dogs, removes dirt and burrs; shedding blade for short-haired dogs;
  • Curry brush: good for dogs with short, smooth hair.

Nail Cutting

Scissor clippers and nail grinders (electric gadgets that file the nails down) can help you trim your dog’s nails. However, the less noisy nail cutters might work best for some dogs.

Trimming and Cutting Hair

You can use regular scissors, but they won’t work as well as grooming shears. Instead, you can use these scissor-like shears, electric clippers, or both if your dog’s coat needs it. 

Shampoo

Don’t use human shampoo on your dog! The pH balance of your skin (5.5 – 5.6) is significantly different from your dog’s 6.2 – 7.4). On a dog, human shampoo causes skin irritation, scratching, dry and flaky skin, and a higher risk of parasites and bacteria. So look for pet-friendly shampoo

Tubs

Your bathroom tub or a basement utility sink will work fine for most dogs, though you might want to add a smaller basin for a small dog; all the better for rinsing if you have a shower attachment. You can also use a hose and steel tub outside if the weather allows it. And of course, there are tubs that you can buy with all kinds of features made especially for dogs. 

Drying

Towels, towels, towels! You’ll probably need several to get your dog dry. There are electric dryers made for dogs for faster drying time, or you can use your blow dryer on the lowest settings. 

Dog grooming

A Basic Grooming Routine

A dog’s needs depend on the individual dog and its breed, coat, size, and lifestyle. You might want to team up with someone to make the job easier. An additional person can hold the dog in place or give them treats if you’re training them. 

Here is a basic grooming routine:

  • Brushing: give the dog a good brushing from head to toe. This stimulates the skin while removing dirt, shed hair, mats, and anything else that got trapped in there. Trim areas that tend to get matted and dirty.
  • Ear Cleaning: check for dirt and odors, then clean the ears around the outside with alcohol on a cotton ball. Odors may mean infection, so see the vet if needed.
  • Nail Trimming: if they’re not worn down from frequent walks, give the nails a trim. 
  • Teeth Brushing: this may take some training to get your dog comfortable. You can brush their teeth with dog toothpaste available in pet stores.
  • Cutting and Trimming: cut hair after the dog is clean and dry. Use a sharp blade for precision and work your way down the body. 

What Age and How Often?

If you got your dog as a puppy, you could start grooming between six and eight weeks. If you adopt a shelter dog, you can start right away. However, watch for anything that makes them uncomfortable and gradually work your way up to its use. Make it a positive experience from the start, and give them consistent exposure to grooming. 

How often should you bathe your dog? As soon as they start getting that doggy smell or when they smell like they rolled in something stinky. 

A Parting Reminder

Basic dog grooming is easy to do at home if you have a few tools, some knowledge of what’s needed, and a cooperative dog. If you invest in just a few essential tools, you can get great results from your work. 

For some tools, especially the loud ones, and for some parts of the grooming process, you may need to give your dog a little desensitizing training to make them comfortable. 

When you’re done, you’ll have a squeaky-clean, healthy dog that looks like a champ!