To Groom your dog at home might seem overwhelming at first. You may worry about getting it wrong or making your dog uncomfortable. But the truth is, with the right tools and a little practice, it can be easier than you think. Not only does at-home grooming save you money, but it also strengthens the bond with your furry friend. Plus, it helps you spot any skin issues or ticks early on.
Unlike humans, dogs don't need daily grooming. Some breeds, like the Afghan Hound and Poodle, need regular grooming. Others, like the Beagle and Boxer, need less frequent care. Professional groomers and vet technicians are trained to handle this. But it's useful to learn basic grooming for upkeep between appointments.
Want to know how to keep your dog looking great at home? Let's explore further.
What Are the Benefits of Grooming a Dog at Home?
Grooming your dog at home comes with a host of benefits. Not only does it help save money on professional services, but it also strengthens the bond between you and your pet. When you groom your dog yourself, you're spending quality time together, which helps build trust.
At-home grooming is also flexible. You can groom your dog when it's convenient, without needing appointments. It also helps you monitor your dog's health closely. While brushing with a grooming comb or bathing your pet, you can check for signs of skin problems, fleas, ticks, or lumps that may need medical attention. Catching these early can save you a lot of worry and cost in the long run.
Additionally, home grooming is often less stressful for your dog. You can avoid things like loud dryers and use products that suit their specific needs, like hypoallergenic shampoos for sensitive skin.
What Puppy Grooming Tools Do You Need?
- Brush
- Nail Clippers or Dremel grinder
- Dog Shampoo
- Ear Cleaner
- Microfiber towel
- Blow Dryer (Pet Safe)
- Toothbrush and Dog Toothpaste
- Scissors and Clippers
- Styptic Powder
Simplifying Dog Grooming at Home
1 Grooming the Face
Wipe Your Dog's Eyes
Use a soft, damp cloth to wipe your dog's eyes. Dirt and tear crusts can build up and cause infections. Check for redness or swelling while cleaning.
Your dog's eyes should stay moist. Dry eyes may cause irritation or vision issues. Keep the room humid or use vet-approved eye drops. You can use artificial eye drops to moisten your dog's eyes, but consult your vet first.
Clean Your Dog's Ears
Clean your dog's ears once a month or more if they have ear problems. Use a damp cloth or a cotton ball with mineral oil to clean the outer ear. Never insert anything inside the ear. Some dogs need hair plucked near the ear to improve airflow. Ask your vet if this is needed.
When cleaning, check for redness, swelling, debris, or a bad odor. These may indicate an infection, and your dog should see the vet. Always dry your dog's ears after bathing or swimming to prevent moisture buildup.
Cleanse Your Dog's Nose
A healthy dog's nose is usually moist. If your dog's nose feels dry, it could be due to dry air, dehydration, sunburn, or other causes. It's normal for a dog's nose to become dry at different times, such as after a long nap.
Make sure your dog has plenty of water. Also, ensure the room is humid enough. Applying a high-quality balm, like Pup Wax, can help keep your dog's nose moist. If you're unsure whether to be concerned about your dog's dry nose, check out our mini-guide on caring for your dog's nose.
2 Brush Your Dog's Teeth
Brush your dog's teeth regularly using a toothbrush and toothpaste made for dogs. If they resist, begin by gently rubbing your finger against the dog's teeth and gums. Allow them to smell and taste a little of toothpaste before they use the brush. They also need dental treats or chew toys to help them brush their teeth as well.
The best thing to do is brush their teeth every day. If not, aim for at least a few times a week. After 48 hours, the plaque begins to form.You can also wrap your finger with gauze or a cloth to wipe their teeth and massage the gums.
How often should I brush my dog's teeth?
If you can, you should brush your dog's teeth every time you feed him, but at least twice a day to avoid gum disease. Gum disease is not good for the heart, liver, and kidneys. It also leads to expensive dental cleanings or surgeries. Plaques turn into tartar in days and only a vet can scrape it off. Teeth problems are common among small dogs primarily due to crowded teeth.
3 Groom Your Dog's Coat
It's important to brush and trim your dog's coat to keep them looking and feeling good. Hair that has matted should be treated as soon as possible since it may cause skin rashes and infections.
Daily brushing with a grooming brush helps remove dirt, prevent tangles, and keep the coat shiny. For long-haired dogs, use the metal comb and for short-haired ones, use a mitt or a glove. When it comes to curly haired dogs, it is recommended to brush their hair every single day to avoid the hair from matting up. Bath your dog's coat regularly so that you can keep it neat by brushing it at least three times a week
4 Trim Your Dog's Fur
Trimming your dog's fur requires patience and a few simple tools. Keep the session fun with extra treats. You'll need hair clippers and scissors.
Start trimming at the neck and work down to the tail. For short-haired dogs, scissors are usually enough. For long-haired dogs, use clippers first, then finish with scissors.
Always trim in the direction the hair grows to avoid lines. Hair clippers have guards to cut at different lengths. Begin with the largest guard and work down to the smallest. Keep the clipper flat against the coat to avoid cutting the skin.
Next, trim the back and abdomen. Be careful around sensitive areas like the belly, underarms, and hock. If clippers irritate your dog, switch to scissors. Hold the scissors away from your dog's body and trim carefully.
Finally, trim the head, legs, and tail. These areas might require extra patience. Ask someone to help hold your dog if needed.
For the face, use a dog hair brush to brush the hair, expose long strands, then trim with scissors. Thinning scissors may be better for a natural look. Trim the ears, sides of the face, and under the jaw. Don't forget to trim the eyebrows, especially for dogs with long facial hair.
Trim one leg at a time and remove excess hair between paw pads. This hair can trap germs. Brush the tail before trimming. Hold it steady and carefully trim to the tip.
After the trimming, dog fur may scatter around the area. So you may use a portable vacuum cleaner to clean up. Not all vacuum cleaners are equally effective, a vacuum with strong suction power may help better remove pet hair embedded in furniture. The right vacuum can make cleanup easier.
5 Clip Your Dog's Nails
Ensure that your dog is relaxed, preferably on a table or on your lap. When cutting, look for where the nail quick starts. The quick is the part that contains blood capillaries and cutting it will cause bleeding.
In the white nails, the quick looks pink. For dark nails, it seems like a black mark. Trim the nail with a dog trimmer up to the level where it turns pink at the base of the nail.
How often should I trim my dog's nails?
Trim your dog's nails every 3-4 weeks to keep them at a healthy length. Long nails are painful and may alter your dog's gait or movement pattern. If you hear clicking when they walk on hard floors, it is high time you trimmed it. Trim with a nail clipper or grinder and do not cut too deeply – that's where it starts to hurt!
6 Clean and Moisturize Your Dog's Paws
Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe between your dog's paw pads. Keep their paws moist and protected to prevent cracking. Massage paw balm into your paws every day, but more so in dry or hot climate.
Paw balm is all about replenishing the skin, repairing cracking and forming a seal that will lock in the moisture and out the irritants. After washing your dog's paws, you may want to give them a gentle paw massage if they like it.
7 Bathe and Dry Your Dog's Coat
Most dogs only need a bath once or twice a month. However, dogs that shed a lot may benefit from weekly baths. This helps remove dead hair and pet dander.
After a soothing shower with a spray nozzle, use a clean towel to dry their coat. If your dog has long hair, a blow dryer can help dry the coat more effectively.
In addition, bathing a puppy can often leave the floor wet. So, to clean the messy floor, you may use a sturdy microfiber mop to clean wet areas efficiently. A clean environment not only makes grooming easier but also more comfortable for your pet!
How often should I brush and bathe my dog?
First, determine your dog's coat type. Bulldogs and dachshunds have short, smooth coats. Airedales and cairn terriers have rough, wiry coats. Shih Tzus have long, silky coats. Poodles and spaniels have curly coats. Labradors have double coats with a fuzzy undercoat and silky outer coat.
For short or wiry coats, brush once a week with a pet grooming brush. Long or curly coats need daily brushing with a wire slicker or steel comb. For double coats, de-shed weekly with an undercoat rake along with regular brushing. Long-haired dogs need a full grooming, including a bath and haircut, every 4-8 weeks. Short-haired dogs benefit from a monthly bath.
What to Do and What to Avoid For Dog's Grooming
Here are some dos and not-to-dos grooming tips to keep your dog feeling at their best:
- Rinse your dog with water and then gently remove dirt, mud, sand, and other outdoor dirt from your dog's coat using a damp towel. Make sure to look at your dog's paw pads often. look for signs of dryness, cracks or injuries. Coarse hair grows between the toes and may form mats. Trim it to the length equal to the paw pads or even shorter. Perform the procedure with small, blunt-edge scissors or a narrow clipper blade.
- Do not use human grooming products. Only use grooming products that are recommended by a veterinarian and which are specifically designed for use on dogs.
- When you find out that there are any cuts, bruises or any kind of ulcers, do not apply any remedy on them. Consult your veterinarian for help.
- Do not take your dog for a bath outside in cold weather. This can lead to a dangerous drop in the body temperature.
- Do not express your dog's anal sacs on your own. This is best left to a groomer or vet. If you want to learn how, ask your veterinarian for training.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have the tools and techniques, it's time to get started! Grooming your dog at home doesn't have to be overwhelming. Start small, be patient, and make grooming a positive experience. Follow the steps in this guide, and you'll feel confident caring for your dog's needs. Your dog will love extra care!
References
- https://www.wikihow.com/Groom-a-Dog
- https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/how-clean-your-dogs-ears
- https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/vth/animal-health/how-to-brush-your-dogs-teeth/
- https://www.acvo.org/tips-treatments-tricks/how-to-clean-your-pets-eyes
