How to Groom a Dog at Home like a pro- 10 Nifty Tips & hacks
Affiliate Disclosure: Petpawshub.com site uses affiliate links when applicable. This site earns from the affiliate links (at no additional cost to you). Read Affiliate Disclosure here
How you groom your dog can make or break how people perceive your dog and how others act around him.
But it’s not always easy to know how to groom your dog, especially if it’s the first time you’ve done it alone.
With these 10 grooming tips, you’ll be able to give your dog the best care and appearance that he deserves, just like any good dog owner should!
Dog grooming can seem like an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t have to be.
Whether you want to bathe your dog or cut his nails, there are plenty of tips and tricks that make grooming simple and fun for both you and your dog.
We’ve enlisted the help of grooming pro-Ms Emma Miller from pe Grooming Melbourne.
The Care Clinic for Dogs & Cats in Melbourne City offered some expert advice on how to give your pup the ultimate grooming experience.
Here are her top 10 tips for getting started
This guide will also provide you with the 5 must-have tools you need to properly groom your pet, whether it’s bath time or nail clipping time!
How to Groom a Dog at Home like a pro- Tips
1. Start Early on when they are just a Puppy
The first tip on grooming your dog like a pro at home is actually one of the most important: start early.
A well-groomed dog is happy, well-adjusted and confident. If you want to groom your dog like a pro, be sure you begin early so he or she can adjust to it as they grow up.
It may not seem like much work when your puppy is small, but don’t wait too long! There are more grooming tasks ahead!
2. Make grooming a fun experience for your dog.
When you initially begin grooming your dog, you may find that he or she requires encouragement and positive reinforcement.
In order to make your first few at-home grooming sessions a success, follow these pointers:
While you’re brushing or washing your dog, spread some Vegemite on a washable surface and let him lick it off.
Begin cautiously, and don’t be afraid to reward your dog for its good behaviour with goodies and praise.
Put down a non-slip mat in the tub before bathing your dog to keep him from sliding about.
3. Brush Regularly
Grooming is an excellent way to bond with your dog, help shed dead hair, and prevent mats from forming.
Regular brushing also makes grooming easier by reducing the amount of loose hair on your pup’s body.
Before you start brushing, however, make sure that you’re using the right kind of brush for your pooch’s fur type.
There are three different kinds:
- Pin brushes, which work well for dogs with long or curly coats;
- Slicker brushes, which are helpful if your dog has shorter hair;
- Wire brushes can be used as a second step when dealing with matted fur (remove large tangles first before going in with the wire brush).
Start from the head and work down toward the tail—remembering to keep brush strokes gentle.
4. Avoid matting by brushing your dog on a regular basis.
Regular brushing is necessary for all dogs, regardless of breed.
The frequency of brushing depends on the length and texture of your dog’s coat.
A good brushing for a shorthaired dog like a greyhound or a labrador may only be necessary once every two weeks for a longhaired dog like a Cavoodle or Poodle.
When a dog’s long hair gets tangled, it can be painful.
Skin infections can arise from dogs licking or biting themselves at the root of an ailment.
Grass seeds, for example, can conceal in a matted coat and even burrow into the skin, resulting in an abscess in the animal..
Brushing your long-haired dog on a regular basis prevents mats from forming.
Brushing is also beneficial for dogs with short hair. You may go longer between bathing by brushing your dog’s coat, which eliminates loose hair, grime, and dander.
All-purpose pin and bristle brush. If the pet has short, medium, or long hair, the double-sided brush guarantees that you use the correct comb.
Grooming that is both relaxing and enjoyable. My cavapoo is very sensitive and enjoys the rounded edges and non-slip handle make it simple and pleasant to use, no matter how it is handled.
5. Be sure to examine your dog’s ears on a regular basis.
When you are brushing your dog, it is important to pay special attention to the dog’s ears. Because ear infections may be very painful, you should take your dog to the veterinarian for an examination if you observe any of the following changes or behaviours:
- There may be inflammation or moisture on the inside of the ears.
- An odd odour emanates from the ears (often, the smell of a dog ear infection is sweet).
- When you pet it, your dog may scratch behind its ears or shake its head.
- A greater quantity or a different form of discharge than usual might be found in the ears (a little wax is normal).
- When you inspect the dog’s ears, the dog will either whine or yelp.
| Soft, Quick & Easy Ear Wipes for Dogs | Remove Wax, Dirt & Stop Smelly, Itchy Dog Ears | 50 Soothing Aloe Vera Dog Ear Cleaning Finger Wipes!
6. be careful when cutting your dog’s hair.
However, be careful when cutting your dog’s hair.
When it comes to getting their dog’s hair clipped, the majority of dog owners prefer to do it at a groomer.
However, you can cut the excess hair around your dog’s eyes and paws between professional groomings provided you approach with caution. You may help avoid eye damage and obstruction from growing hair by trimming around your dog’s eyes.
Wait for your dog to be quiet and, if possible, lie down before giving him or her any treats. Using scissors near the skin can be dangerous, so take your time and be careful.
After you’re done, give your dog a treat to show your appreciation for his calm demeanour.
Trimming the hair in the ear canal can help prevent ear infections by allowing more air to flow through the ear. Even so, a professional groomer or your veterinarian should do this task.
Remember that it’s possible to inadvertently injure your pet while using scissors or clippers. Never cut your dog’s hair carelessly;
If you’re worried or would rather not do it yourself, take him to a professional grooming service.
Professional dog groomers generally tell pet owners that it takes 10 minutes per pound of your dog’s body weight to properly brush and bathe your pooch.
Whether you do the grooming yourself or take your pet to a professional Groomer, keep the appointment short—no more than 20 minutes—and don’t shave too much off.
The experts recommend giving your dog between two and four trims per year. That will be enough for them to look great—and stay cool during the summer heat.
In addition, ask other groomers if they feel comfortable with how much you’re asking them to cut before giving their blessing.
7. Watch Out For Skin Issues
Skin issues are often the first thing that people notice about their dogs.
A dog’s skin can be irritated by dandruff, dirt, fleas, food allergies and more.
To prevent and treat these problems, you should bathe your dog at least once every two weeks with an oatmeal-based or oatmeal-scented shampoo or conditioner.
He should also wear sweaters and leashes that won’t irritate his skin. Pay special attention to areas where he might pick his coat (his groin area).
If he starts chewing on himself, give him something else to chew on—maybe an antler chew or one of those Nylabones.
8. Keep Up with Nails
If you’re going to groom your dog like a pro, you’ll want to keep its nails in tip-top shape.
A common misconception is that trimming dog nails can be dangerous; in fact, it’s more harmful if they aren’t done on occasion.
The best way of keeping your pet comfortable while trimming its nails is by clipping them while they are completely relaxed and sitting still.
Reward your dog with small treats afterwards, and repeat the process every couple of weeks as needed.
If you can’t find someone qualified or confident enough to do the job, always seek out the help of a professional veterinarian or groomer.
Clippers Or Grinders- which to use?
In the end, the ideal grooming equipment depends on your dog’s attitude and your grooming confidence when it comes to the dog nail grinding versus clipping argument.
If your dog is frightened by the sound of a grinder, you may wish to use clippers instead.
Use a very gradual pace and just trim a little amount of nail each week if you opt to use a clipper.
You will be able to clip even more in the next few days since the quick will begin to recede from the edge of the nail.
A significant volume of hair might cut into your dog quick if it is trimmed all at once.
Trust me—Your pooch won’t be happy about it!
You can use a nail Grinder to trim your Dogs Nails. Trust me to nail Grinders are easy to use than nail clippers.
How Often Should I Groom Cavoodle Puppy
9. Take Time for Baths
Though grooming may seem like an indulgence, it’s actually quite important to your pet’s well-being.
Baths will not only keep their fur clean and shiny, but they’ll also help fight some of the pests (like fleas) that your dog comes into contact with.
Bathing at least once every two weeks is an excellent way to take care of your furry pal and make sure they are healthy and happy!
The first step is preparation: getting everything you need in order to bathe them as easily as possible. Here are 10 tips for bathing your dog properly
How Often Can I Shower My Dog? 5 Important Guidelines
Don’t over-bath your dog.
A couple of months of bathing is all that most dogs require to keep their coats clean and fresh. If you wash your dog more frequently than this, the natural oils in his coat will be stripped away, resulting in dry skin.
Talk to your veterinarian about whether or not your dog’s odour is due to exposure to something noxious. Dental disease or a skin infection may be a symptom of underlying problems.
As you bathe your dog, keep these points in mind:
- Never put a baby or human shampoo on a dog’s skin since it has a different pH level than that of a person. To avoid irritating your dog’s skin, use a shampoo made specifically for dogs that is soap-free.
- Gently massage the shampoo into your dog’s coat after saturating it with warm water.
- Avoid the dog’s eyes, mouth, and ear canals when you’re playing with it.
- Shake and let your dog air dry outside if it’s warm, and then remove the shampoo.
- During the cooler months, use a towel to gently dry the dog’s coat or a blow dryer set to the lowest temperature possible.
Exfoliating Wash with Fragrant Leave in Conditioner
10. Consider These Tricks of the Trade- use waterless shampoo for in-between baths
The Ultimate Guide to Groom Your Dog Like a Pro—Your dog deserves a little pampering once in a while.
But as we all know, giving your dog spa treatment at home is no easy task. It takes skill and plenty of patience—not to mention the right tools and products.
If no time for a bath use dry shampoo, yes just like humans dogs’ fur can have dry/water-less shampoo in between baths.
Yes, dry shampoos can be used on dogs. There are several advantages to using dry or waterless pet shampoos, such as their ease of use and their ability to be tolerated by dogs.
However, it is important to remember that dry, no-rinse shampoos are less effective in removing dirt and debris from a dog’s fur than normal washes.
Dry shampoos, on the other hand, are designed to disguise odours or eliminate odour particles, depending on the quality of the product.
Your dog’s scent is at its most potent when it makes him or her smell clean.
| Dry Shampoo for Dogs | Waterless Foam No Rinse | Anti-Itch, Soothing and Deodorizing
11. Beware of Bacteria!
Dogs carry and pass bacteria. If you think they smell bad, just wait until you see them after a bath!
It’s important that you take steps to sanitize your dog’s grooming tools and bathtub before, during, and after the bath.
And if your dog is prone to allergies or sensitive skin, you may want to try using hypoallergenic shampoos for dogs or even homemade shampoo recipes for dogs.
Failing that, at least consider trying out one of these flea collars for dogs as well; they not only protect against pesky fleas but also keep ticks away from your pup as well.
12. Pay Attention to Individual Dogs
If you’re not well-versed in the fine art of dog grooming, there are plenty of professionals out there that would be more than happy to offer some advice.
They can help you understand how long your dog should be groomed, and what type of clippers or scissors you should use, and they might even give you some tips on how to keep your dog calm throughout the process.
Plus, they may have some ideas on breeds that might respond better to grooming.
A simple search online will get you started with finding someone local that can assist you—and it won’t cost anything!
List of the best and trusted Dog perfumes, Cologne & Diffusers that can be purchased from Amazon. I use most of these products for my Pooch.
Dog Perfumes
- Lavender & Chamomile aroma therapy for dogs
- Pawfume Premium Spray
- Dog perfume
- Bodhi dog Cologne
- binca vidou Pet Reed Diffuser, Jasmine Diffuser Designed for Families with Pets Perfume
- Dog perfume Spray
Pet Odour Eliminators
- Kin+Kind Dog Deodorizer
- Isle of dog Spray-perfume
- Angry Orange pet Odour Eliminator Spray
- Bioda pet Odour Eliminator
- Fabric Freshener and pet odour Eliminator
Dog Spray for Smelly Dogs and Puppies and Dog Calming Spray with Lavender Essential Oil - Lightly Scented Dog Deodorizer for Smelly Dogs and Dog Essentials
10) Get Some Advice from an Expert/pro-Groomer
Although your dog might not be able to tell you what kind of grooming he’d like, an expert can certainly help you figure out the best way to groom him.
Many groomers also offer classes on basic grooming so that you can learn how they do it and decide if it’s something you want to try. At the very least, an expert is a good place to start.
They can let you know if the cut or style you have in mind is right for your pet, as well as offer other advice on what type of brushes and combs are good for different coats and styles.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions – many experts love talking about their profession!
5 Must have tools for Dogs Grooming like a pro at Home.
Pet Grooming Cordless Kit Pet Grooming Cordless Kit— Dremel 7760-PGK 4V Pet Grooming Cordless Kit trims pet nails at home. This cordless, ergonomic design progressively cuts nails at a 45-degree angle to avoid cutting the nail quick. Clippers and scissors can cut the quick, causing discomfort. The nail guard's glass lid catches nail dust and fuzz.
The groomer I went to advised that I try a brush of this general kind instead of the combination of pin brush and undercoat comb that I had previously used.
A "self-cleaning" brush seemed too fantastic to be true, but had to be worth a chance.
This is the original SLICKER BRUSH, used by millions of pet owners and adored by their canine and feline companions. The most popular pet brush brand in the country, with over 2 million brushes sold!
Hair tangles, dander and grime are gently removed from the coat with the Slicker Brush by Hertzko. Is your pet prone to excessive shedding? No matter what breed or hair type your pet has, this shedding brush will do the trick!
Dog Grooming Kit -All in One This dog grooming clippers also come with 11 tools: 1 × Pet clipper( included Battery),1 × AC Power Adapter,1 × Cleaning Brush,4 × Comb Attachments(3-6-9-12mm),1 × Stainless Steel Scissor,1 × Stainless Steel Comb,1 × Nail Clipper Kit,1 × Nail File.dog shears fit for All HAIRY PETS!
About the Author:
I’m Div Acharya. I’ve been a dog lover my entire life. When my daughter wanted a new Puppy I was looking for another furbaby to share my life with.
As a result of my research, I’ve come to love oodles and wanted to share some of what I’ve learned with you. Whether you’re looking to get a Puppy, or already own one, these Blogs t to be the ultimate guide to help you find the answers you need.
At Pet Paws Hub, we strive to be the ultimate resource for learning everything about caring for your pet!