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How to Groom a Dog: A Handy Guide

8 min read

Grooming your dog can be quite a challenge at times, but it doesn’t have to be. It is a good opportunity, not only to make your pet squeaky clean but also to bond and give them a quick health check to make sure everything is all right. Here are tips for how to groom your dog.

When it comes to our canine friends, grooming is often seen as a luxury, especially if you have to rely on regular visits to a professional pet groomer. But in most cases, grooming your dog doesn’t require any special skills and can be done at home with basic “equipment”. We’re not talking about hair makeovers or artistic pedicures. Just a few simple tasks that can become part of a grooming routine and will soon turn into a relaxing bonding experience for both of you.

As with anything, some pooches are happier to be groomed than others. Make sure to take it slowly, using dog training treats as a reward, in moderation. A dog is more likely to let you groom them if you start getting them used to it from an early age, a few minutes at a time at first.

Keep an eye on your pet at all times, and be sure to never put yourself in harm’s way. Even the most loving of pets have been known to nip when something takes them by surprise.

Before we give you all the easy tips on how to groom a dog at home, here is why regular grooming shouldn’t be seen as a dog extravaganza, but a necessary part of a happy, healthy life.

 

The benefits of dog grooming

There are quite a few good reasons to learn how to groom a dog at home. Here are the benefits of grooming:

  • Maintains a healthy skin and coat
  • Helps detect unusual lumps or scratches
  • Gets the dog more used to handling which can reduce stress of vet visits
  • Boosts dog-owner bonding
  • Removes dead skin
  • Removes dirt
  • Helps to spot and remove burs or grass seeds
  • Quicker to notice pesky ticks
  • Improves circulation
  • Less shedding
  • Makes your dog look extra pretty!

How often should you groom your dog?

Your dog’s breed is usually a good hint. Long-haired dogs such as Yorkshire Terriers or Bearded Collies will need daily brushing to avoid painful mats from forming.

Breeds with shorter coats can get away with just a brush a week. Nail clipping and bathing are more “as and when required” activities, but be aware that overgrown nails can cause infections and affect your dog’s walking, so make sure you check them regularly.

 

How to groom a dog

Grooming can be a long or short task, depending on the breed of dog you have and their hair type. To make sure your grooming sessions run smoothly, make sure you have all the correct equipment and a designated grooming area. Take a look at our top grooming tips for more information.

What about grooming and bathing puppies

If your dog is still a puppy, make sure you have a look at our puppy grooming article for more advice.
From grooming to bathing your puppy, making sure to introduce them to this slowly is important for positive future grooming sessions. For a step-by-step guide, take a look at our article on bathing your puppy for the first time.

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