How to Groom a Dog Easily at Home (Infographic)

Learning how to groom a dog takes patience, effort, and regular upkeep! With the right dog grooming tips and tools, you can help maintain your furry friend’s clean face, fresh coat, and perfect nail length either on your own or between professional grooming appointments.

How to Groom Your Dog infographic: at-home dog grooming checklist

 

4 Extra Tips for Grooming Your Dog at Home

From keeping your dog’s ears healthy to their paws comfy, there are many benefits of grooming your dog at home. Plus, it’s a great way to enjoy quality bonding time! While grooming is a head-to-tail process, it generally comes down to four main grooming duties. These tips will help you grow into an at-home grooming master in no time!

Brushing

Brushing your dog may be one of the most important aspects of dog grooming at home, especially for medium- to long-haired breeds that are prone to tangles and mats. And, while you may be unwilling to disrupt the curly hair on a Goldendoodle or Bichon Frise, brushing can wildly improve the appearance of any coat type!

Benefits:

  • Removes excess hair to control dog shedding
  • Circulates blood flow to promote healthy hair growth
  • Stimulates the skin’s natural oils to increase shine
  • Keeps the coat looking neat and clean

Frequency: At least 3 times per week

As you explore how to groom your dog, there are many brush options available to keep their fur looking fresh, including our dog knot comb to safely eliminate tough mats and knots. For short-haired dogs, a curry brush is helpful for removing loose fur while giving your pup a relaxing body massage.

Bathing

It can be difficult to tell when you should bathe your dog! Because overly cleansing your dog can strip their skin and coat of its natural oils, you’ll want to establish a bathing routine.

To decide if your furry friend needs a bath, ask yourself:

  • How long has it been since their last bath?
  • Have they been outside recently?
  • Have they gotten dirty recently?
  • What is their coat type?

Short-haired dogs do not need a routine wash. If they get dirty, you can usually wipe them down with a damp cloth or grooming wipe and move on.

Speaking of wipes, specially formulated pet eye wipes are a convenient grooming product to have on hand! Eye boogers are common and can be attributed to environmental factors such as pollen or tears and saliva. This may make eyes appear dry, discolored, or stained.

Benefits:

  • Cleanses dogs to keep their skin and coat healthy
  • Prevents odors, dirt, and debris from building up in the coat
  • Helps keep your home cleaner

Frequency: Once a week to every 2-3 months (or after a messy adventure!)

Our Magic Coat® Nourishing Oatmeal 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner is a great option to relieve itchiness and revitalize all coat types!

Coat Trimming

Trimming your dog’s hair is an important part of dog grooming! Even a newly bathed and brushed coat can still look untidy if it’s too long. Simply trim toward the paws to remove excess fur.

If you are looking to trim around the snout or between the ears and eyes, rounded tip facial scissors are a safer choice. You’ll want to keep your dog still by gently wrapping your hand around their snout while using your other hand to trim in the direction of hair growth. Keep in mind: Do not trim the whiskers!

 

RELATED: How to Cut Your Dog's Nails

 

Nail Trimming

Regular nail trimming can be daunting, but it’s key for a happy furry friend! Overgrown nails can lead to discomfort as your dog walks, runs, and jumps. However, it’s important not to trim the nails too short, either. This is because dogs’ nails contain the “quick,” which is a soft cuticle with the blood vessel and nerves that run through your dog’s nail. To help your trimming session go smoothly, find your dog’s nail quick before you begin.

The most important aspect of nail trimming is to take your time and practice patience. To acclimate your dog to the nail clippers or trimmers, let them sniff the tools. Be sure to provide treats to reward progress along the way!

Benefits:

  • Keeps the nails cleaner
  • Promotes comfort while walking, running, and jumping

Frequency: Once every 1 to 2 months

Time to Air Dry!

Pampering your pup shouldn’t feel like a chore! Next time they’re ready for a grooming session, turn it into a spa day and enjoy that quality time with your best friend.

Want more dog grooming tips? Read our guide to dog grooming supplies for more information on how to groom your dog at home.