Tips On Grooming Your Dog At Home

How to keep those pesky matts at bay whilst you wait for the professional!

Grooming your dog at home is not only a bonding experience, but it can also save you time and money. Whether you have a short-haired pup or a long-haired breed, regular grooming is essential to keep your dog healthy and happy. Firstly, it's important to know your dogs coat type so you can understand how often they need brushing. In particular, double coated breeds (e.g. Husky, Golden Retriever, German Shepard), wool coated breeds (e.g. Cockapoo, Poodle) and long silk coated breeds (e.g. Afghan Hound, Terriers, Spaniel) need brushing the most. Some will need brushing every day, others at least 3 times a week.

Step 1: Brushing

Using a slicker brush and/or comb (dependent on coat type), brush out any knots, tangles and shedding hair. This should be done primarily to prevent matting in your dogs coat. The areas where most matting occurs will be just behind the ears, under the armpits and the back of the legs so keep and eye on these areas (if they get matted close to the skin or you can't brush the matts out in 10 minutes then they will have to get clipped out by a professional groomer).

Step 2: Bathing

Get the towels at the ready! Making sure the temperature of the water isn't too hot or cold can give the dog a more pleasant experience as most dogs don't enjoy the bath. Using dog friendly shampoo, rub into the dogs coat avoiding the face area. Rinse and repeat. If you have tearless facial wash then use this on the face. When rinsing the face, make sure to get no water down the nostrils and in the eyes and ears. If you have a dog conditioner, this helps to detangle the coat and leave it nice and shiny, but don't use this on wool coated breeds. Once all the product is completely rinsed out give the dog a good squeegee with your hands and then towel dry.

Step 3: Drying

Towel dry thoroughly to get any excess water of the dog. Most dogs with a shorter coat can be left to air dry after this as most of you won't have access to a grooming dryer, however if you have a longer coated or double coated breed you can use a hand held dryer on very low heat to speed up the process.

Step 4: Trimming the nails

Regular nail trimming is essential for your dog's health. If left too long, nails can become painful and even cause walking issues. Using your phone torch, do your best to identify the quick, which is the sensitive area inside the dogs nails (usually a pale pink colour). This can be hard if the dogs nails are black. Cut at a 45 degree angle in the middle of the quick and the end of the nail. When your dog is standing up, you can check if the nails are the right length as you should just be able to slide a credit card underneath.

Step 5: Ear Cleaning and Teeth Brushing

Dog s can develop ear infections or dental issues if not cleaned regularly. When cleaning the ears, use a dog safe ear cleaner and a cotton ball to wipe the outer ear. To brush the teeth, use dog toothpaste and a dog specific toothbrush to keep their teeth and gums healthy.

Step 6. Final Check

Once you're done grooming, take a moment to check for any unusual lumps, bumps, or skin issues. If you find anything concerning, consult your vet.

Conclusion

Grooming your dog at home doesn’t have to be a chore—it’s a way to ensure your dog stays clean, healthy, and comfortable. With the right tools and a bit of practice, you can master at-home grooming in no time. Plus, your dog will enjoy the extra attention and care!

Happy grooming!