Free 2-5 day delivery | No minimum purchase required
Free 2-5 day delivery | No minimum purchase required
by K Marie Alto Updated 14 min read
One of the endless challenges of being a dog parent is grooming.
I bet, regardless of your college major, if you could go back to college you'd make sure to take how to bathe and groom your dog like a professional 101, won't you? If only you new better back then hmm?
You can spend hours meticulously bathing and grooming your pooch, and the moment you let them go, they're off to the races.
It's only a question of what they get into first; something smelly? Something dirty? Something that tangles and mats their fur?
Sometimes it seems as though they love nothing more than undoing your hard work, only to present themselves to you as proud as can be.
Despite this tendency, grooming is still critical for your pup's health. Bathing and grooming your fur baby helps to keep their fur soft, their skin healthy, and their scent more pleasant.
While you don't have to go all-out with professional-level details and tools, you can do a lot at home to make professional grooming a special occasion rather than a weekly expensive visit.
In this comprehensive guide I discuss key aspects of grooming a dog every dog parent should know. From the advantages of regular grooming to the basic tools and accessories every pet parent must have (includes product recommendations) to a simple yet effective 6-step DIY grooming routine.
As you may know, often times some pet parents may not consider dog tooth brushing in their grooming routine. In step two of the grooming routine I pay special attention to dental health.
I've also added two short educational videos on dental health by two dog dental health authorities. This is a critical aspect of pup grooming, make sure to go over this section. Your dog will thank you later.
Also, if you have one of those adorable smoosh-faced dogs (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Pekingese, and Shih Tzus), make sure to not leave the website without reading step #3. It comes with a bonus.
The last section, all the way at the bottom comes with plenty of extra resources for pet parents seeking to learn more about fur care. If you are looking for more dog care guides visit my blog. It is packed with resources.
Grooming is about more than making sure your fur baby smells nice and clean. A regular routine should at least include hair, claws, ears, paws and teeth. As a general rule of thumb, thorough, comprehensive grooming should be done around every 6-12 weeks.
Dogs with thicker coats should be bathed more often, while dogs with shorter hair can go longer between baths. And, of course, you'll want to wash them any time they come home smelling bad or having rolled in some nonsense out on their walk.
There are actually quite a few purposes.
You can also do things like trimming their nails to prevent possible damage; to both their feet and your floors. After all, dogs don't have hands to do this themselves.
Grooming a pooch requires a handful of specific tools.
Some of them we have recommendations for, while others you're free to pick what works best for your home and your situation.
Don't worry about getting everything right the first time. You'll develop a system, figure out what your fur baby likes and doesn't, and build up a supply of tools over time.
***Save $1 PLUS free shipping when you bundle The Clawper Pro with Momma Knows Best Organic 3-in-1 Styptic Powder. Use coupon code: Clawperbundle. This coupon is only valid for the bundle.
Before you start grooming, it's a good idea to get everything you need in one place.
There's nothing quite as annoying as having to go fetch a set of clippers or a bottle of shampoo once you've already hosed down your canine companion, and that's not to mention their tendency to follow, dripping everywhere.
So, determine what level of grooming you want to do (are you trimming their nails? Are you trimming fur?) and gather the tools and supplies you'll need for that process before you begin.
The first step to the grooming process is thoroughly brushing your fur baby. Brushing removes debris, mats, loose fur, and other excess "stuff" from your pooch's coat, which serves several purposes.
First, it gives you a chance to inspect your dog for any potential fur or skin issues. A thorough brushing can be calming as well, and sets the stage for the grooming to come.
You also remove all of that excess fur and grime, so it doesn't go down your drains or need cleaning up later when it's wet.
Take this opportunity to prepare your fur baby for any potential issues they may have with shampoo and conditioner. Some people like to put cotton balls in their dog's ears to prevent water or shampoo from getting in.
Others might recommend a drop of mineral oil in the eyes to help keep shampoo from irritating them.
It really depends on how careful you are, how sensitive your dog is, and how much they squirm around while being bathed. If you use cotton balls, don't stick them in deep, and don't forget to remove them later!
We have a grooming guide for poodles, but many of the tips will also apply to most medium- or long-haired dogs. That said, it's a good idea to look up any specific grooming tips for your breed so you know if there are any common concerns or issues you should watch for.
Before bathing, you should take this opportunity to handle a couple of trickier parts of grooming: teeth and nails.
Like humans, dogs need their teeth cleaned. Unlike humans, they don't have opposable thumbs or the understanding of dental hygiene necessary to do it themselves.
You can help with some dental-focused dog chews, but nothing will substitute for brushing their teeth. According to VCA Animal Hospital:
"Like us, it is ideal to brush your dog's teeth at least twice daily. For many dogs, once brushing becomes a part of their daily routine they will begin to expect and enjoy it. Brushing three times a week is the minimum recommendation to help remove plaque and prevent tartar accumulation."
Watch this Video on How to Train Your Dog to Let you Brush His Teeth
Just like with us humans, dog dental disease is painful. Dog teeth should be brushed daily, something that for most pet parents may seem impossible. However, it does not have to be.
Let me ask you a few questions, how many times a week do you snuggle with your pup or play or walk h/er? You probably spend more time in each of these activities than you would brushing your dog's teeth.
What many pet parents do not know is that brushing your dog's teeth does not have to take 5 minutes or 3 or even 2. It is a very simple process. All you need to do is to make sure you make it a routine.
It could be part of your snuggle routine, or your walk routine or your play routine. Regularly brushing your pup's teeth can take less than 1 minute!
If you have one of those adorable smoosh-faced dogs (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Pekingese, and Shih Tzus), regular dental check-ups are imperative to avoid periodontal disease due to their shortened snout and overcrowded teeth.
Watch this Video on What You Need to Know About Your Dog's Dental Health by Dr. Michelle Drake from the Drake Center for Veterinary Care
Trimming nails, meanwhile, is a little different. You definitely don't need to do that every day! It will depend on your dog, how quickly their nails grow, how they walk, and what surfaces they spend most of their time on.
Generally, you will want to trim nails every 1-2 weeks. We have a guide on how to trim nails while avoiding the quick, which many people have told us has been very helpful to them.
You can also wait until after you've washed your fur baby to trim their nails if you find that it's easier with clean paws. Regardless of how often you trim your dogs nails, always make sure to keep handy a natural styptic powder.
Avoid chemical-based styptic powders at all costs as they may have serious health consequences for your dog.
The bathing step will make up the bulk of your grooming time but, thankfully, doesn't need to be done every day. Different dogs have different bathing schedules, so be sure to learn what works best for your pooch.
When bathing, make sure to use lukewarm water. Hot water can overheat your fur baby or even scald their skin, while cold water can chill them and is generally unpleasant.
You'll want a bathing system with a hose sprayer or a pitcher on hand for rinsing more easily, whatever is most convenient for you.
The first thing you need to do is rinse your fur baby all over. Get their fur wet, working slowly from neck to tail, ensuring thorough coverage.
Once that's done, you can apply shampoo. The shampoo you pick should depend on your dog's skin type; for example, you might want an oatmeal-based shampoo for a pooch with sensitive skin or skin problems. Likewise for a conditioner.
Take time to slowly lather up the shampoo, working it into the fur and skin. Don't use your nails, though, to avoid scratching or causing skin irritation.
Rinse out the shampoo, then do the same with the conditioner. Some dogs don't need a conditioner, while others benefit from it. Some, particularly those with longer or curlier coats, can also benefit from a detangler to keep their fur from matting. Again, it all depends on your dog's breed, coat type, and activity levels.
Some dogs will require more attention depending on the coat or skin type. For example, for smoosh-faced dogs, just like with their teeth, their faces and other areas with skin folds such as the tail also require extra attention. Folds all over their bodies create a skin ventilation problem, leading to skin irritations and infections.
What happens is that skin folds hold moisture. This creates an environment ideal for yeast and bacteria growth. It is essential to get deep into these skin folds and dry them thoroughly after each bath.
Additionally, it is also important to be sure to dry them after being out in the rain or swimming. Sometimes simply environmental humidity can harbor the growth of bacteria that leads to irritation, itchiness and inflammation.
I developed a USDA certified organic skin and paw moisturizer specifically for dogs with skin folds. Momma Knows Best Organics 3-in-1 Hydrate and Repel for Dogs with Wrinkles is naturally formulated to moisturize your pup’s wrinkles and skin folds while keeping those annoying fleas and ticks at bay.
It also works great to hydrate the nose, elbows, and toe beans (paw pads).
Save $1 with code: Prettyfolds
It's important that you dry off your fur baby to prevent them from getting chills. Your dog's first instinct will be to shake off excess moisture, and you can allow that as long as it's not going to coat your bathroom in water (the apron is nice here).
The two main ways to dry off your pooch are with a blow dryer or with a towel. Some dogs don't like being manhandled with a towel; others hate the noise of a blow dryer, while some love the warm air! Try both and see which your fur baby prefers.
If you choose to use a blow dryer, keep it on the lowest heat setting and hold it at least six inches away to avoid scalding their skin.
Keep in mind you don't want to completely dry them off; blow-dry until they're just very slightly moist. Over-drying can dry out their skin and lead to skin irritation.
If you choose to use a towel instead, use a combination of patting, rubbing, and wrapping to absorb as much moisture as you can.
You should be able to get your fur baby entirely dry this way, though you may need more than one or two towels to do it.
Once you've bathed your fur baby, go over their coat with a brush again. This serves to ensure there are no lingering mats, tangles, or clumps, that there's no left-over shampoo, and to finish removing shed fur.
You can also take this time to do any trimming you want. Depending on your breed and their coat, you may want to:
This is also the opportunity to trim nails if you didn't do so before bathing your fur baby.
Once you're done with all of the above, you can put a few finishing touches on the process.
Rewarding your fur baby with a treat for their good behavior can be a great way to make future grooming sessions less stressful for you both. Some people also like to use a doggy-safe cologne to add a pleasant scent to their coat.
We highly recommend using a hydrating paw balm on their toe beans, to help hydrate and soothe their paws.
This can help heal dry skin, prevent future skin cracking, and protect their sensitive toes from the elements, especially when the ground is hot as well as during the winter months when low humidity causes dry and cracked toe beans.
To prevent cracked toe beans, apply a moisturizing balm at least twice a week during moments of low activity. If your pup already has cracked toe beans, apply it twice a day over a seven-day period. Then twice a week for maintenance.
We always recommend pet parents look for USDA certified organic options. Other options advertised as natural or organic (but not certified) may contain toxic substances hidden in the “natural” ingredients used. Learn how to purchase a safe paw balm for your dog.
We've covered all of the bases with this DIY dog grooming guide, but if you want a more comprehensive resource, why not check out our Dog Grooming 101 guidebook? It's a 50-page book written to be both simple and comprehensive, covering everything from nose to tail.
Now to you, the readers. Do you have specific questions about grooming or bathing your fur baby? Additionally, are you using any other bathing and grooming methods? Be sure to leave all your thoughts and questions in the comments section down below! We'd love to hear about all your stories and will gladly answer any questions you may have!
They say sharing is caring. If you found this content helpful, can you do fellow pet parents a little favor by sharing it? Use any social media button located around the post.
Additionally, if you are feeling like getting a little special something for your fur baby that is unique, made right here in the USA, 100% pup and cat safe, USDA certified organic and brought to you by a US company, check out Toe Beans online pet supplies store!
K. Marie is an animal lover, wife, kitty mom, dog auntie, writer, and co-founder of Toe Beans, a proud American family-owned online boutique pet supplies store focused on the improvement of the life of furry family members via pet parent education, better products, and advocacy. She has over 20 years of experience as a pet momma. She loves sharing her personal journey and experience as a pet parent via her blog and Facebook page where she currently has more than 50K followers (@furrytoebeans) and counting :-). Read more
Comments will be approved before showing up.
by K Marie Alto November 29, 2024 9 min read
by K Marie Alto November 21, 2024 9 min read
by K Marie Alto November 14, 2024 9 min read