What You Need To Know About Grooming Your Dog

Diamond's Friends Pet Rescue
Jun 16
6 min read

Grooming your dog is more than just about keeping them looking cute and having them smell nice. It's also about health, comfort, and quality of life.

Regular grooming helps prevent everything from painful mats to skin infections. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to bond with your dog.

Here’s the lowdown on grooming your dog.

Why Your Dog Needs Regular Grooming

Routine grooming can help prevent illness and infections in your dog. Specifically, grooming your dog aids with the following:

Skin and coat health: Regular brushing distributes natural oils, helping skin and fur stay healthy.
Infection prevention: Dirty ears, long nails, and matted fur can all lead to infections or injuries.
Early detection: Grooming gives you a chance to notice lumps, bumps, or parasites before they become more serious problems.
Relationship building: Grooming your dog helps build your bond, especially if you reward them with treats for positive behavior during grooming sessions.

Supplies You Need

You don’t need a professional setup to groom your dog at home. Here are some basic tools to have on hand:

Brush or comb (the type you need may vary based on your dog’s coat type)
Dog toothbrush and toothpaste
Dog shampoo (never use human shampoo because it can irritate your dog’s skin)
Ear cleaning solution and cotton balls
Nail clippers or grinder
Towels and a non-slip mat for the tub
Scissors or grooming clippers (for dogs with longer coats)

A few other supplies that are optional but helpful to have include detangling spray, grooming gloves, and a hairdryer that has a low, cool setting.

Learn More: What To Buy Before Bringing Home a New Dog

How To (and Often To) Bathe

Giving your dog a bath is one of the easier grooming activities you can DIY. Simply rinse them down with water, lather with shampoo, rinse again, and then dry them off with a towel or hairdyer on a cool setting.

If you have a dog who is afraid of water or baths, you may need to move slowly and get them used to the process. Make sure to reward them with lots of treats and praise to help them feel more positively about bath time.

When it comes to how often you should bathe your dog, this will vary by their breed, activity level, and skin type.

According to Purina, most dogs can be bathed once per month. However, dogs with oily coats may require more frequent baths, while breeds with shorter coats may be able to go longer between baths.

Bathing too often can strip natural oils, leading to dry skin, so stick to dog-specific shampoo and rinse thoroughly.

How Often To Brush

Brushing your dog is another one of the easier DIY grooming tasks you can do with your dog (just be gentle). It's just as important as bathing since it helps reduce shedding, prevents mats, and keeps the coat shiny.

But how often should you brush your dog? Here are some common recommendations:

Long-haired dogs: Daily brushing is ideal for long-haired dogs.
Short-haired dogs: Once per week should do for short-haired pups.
Double-coated breeds: The AKC recommends brushing once per week using a slicker brush and comb.

Brushing is also a great way to check for fleas, ticks, or any skin issues hiding under that fur.

How Often To Trim Nails

If you hear your dog's nails "clicking" on the floor, it's probably time for a nail trim! Most dogs need their nails trimmed once per month.

Long nails can change the way your dog walks and even cause joint pain. So you definitely want to keep their nails under control!

We’ll be honest: we aren’t fans of doing a dog’s nails on our own. If a dog doesn’t let us use a grinder without panicking, we leave the nail trimming to professionals because we never want to accidentally clip the quick.

Pro tip: If you are going to do your dog’s nails on your own, always have styptic powder on hand to stem the bleeding if you clip the quick. We also recommend using a grinder since it allows you to shorten the nail gradually vs. doing a sharp, immediate cut.

How Often To Clean Ears and Brush Teeth

Cleaning your dog’s ears and brushing their teeth should be part of the grooming process. Here are some general guidelines to follow:

Ears: Check once a week, and always dry ears when they get wet. Clean your pup’s ears only when dirty since too much cleaning can actually cause irritation. Dogs with floppy ears are more likely to get ear infections.
Teeth: Brush daily or at least a few times a week. The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that dental disease affects most dogs by the age of three, so it’s more important than many pet owners realize!

Use a dog-specific toothbrush and toothpaste. Never use human products.

Learn More: How To Take Care of Your Dog’s Teeth at Home

How Often To Trim Fur/Hair

We'll shoot straight with this one: you may be better off letting the pros give your dog a haircut.

Haircut needs depend on breed and coat type. Short-haired dogs likely only need trims for hygiene, while longer-haired pups may need more frequent trims.

If you do have a long-haired pup, you could DIY trimming their fur and hair if they are calm enough. But, if you have a more energetic dog or a pup that needs a more refined trim (like a Goldendoodle), a professional groomer may be a safer option.

Also, don’t forget the areas between paw pads and around the eyes. These can get overgrown and uncomfortable. But again, proceed with caution. Again, oftentimes, this is better left to the pros (you don’t want to injure your dog’s eye).

Learn More: Eye Infections in Dogs

What About Anal Glands?

This also isn’t one we recommend doing on your own. We even know some professional groomers who advise taking your dog to the vet if they need their anal glands expressed.

If you’re lucky, you’ll end up with a dog that doesn’t need their anal glands done regularly. Otherwise, leave this one to the professionals.

Pro tip: We’ve had success using Vetnique’s Boot the Scoot treats with our 10-pound Chihuahua. We used to take him in monthly due to his scooting, but this seems to have solved the problem. You may or may not have the same results, but it could be worth a try!

Signs You Need To Groom More Often

If you notice any of the following, it’s time to up your grooming routine:

Dull or greasy coat
Excessive licking, scratching, or biting at their skin
Nail clicking or snagging
Red or irritated skin
Red or waxy ears
Strong doggy odor
Tangled or matted fur
Tear stains or eye goop

Dogs can’t tell us they’re uncomfortable, but these signs are their way of showing it. And if they really seem uncomfortable, a trip to the vet may be in order.

Learn More: Ear Infections in Dogs

How To Make Grooming Successful

To set you and your dog up for grooming success, make sure to do the following:

Begin early. The earlier in your dog’s life that they start to get used to grooming, the easier it will be for them to feel comfortable.
Start slow and be patient, especially with puppies or rescue dogs.
Use praise and treats to build positive associations.
Keep sessions short at first and gradually increase the time.
Avoid grooming when your dog is overly excited or anxious.
Stick to a routine so your dog knows what to expect.
Calm and relaxed are two key components for success. Stress and chaos won’t bode well.

If your dog absolutely hates brushing or bathing, try breaking it into steps and rewarding after each one.

When To Seek Professional Help

Some dogs (and humans) just aren’t cut out for DIY grooming. That’s okay! Seek out a professional groomer if:

Your dog’s coat is badly matted
They become aggressive or panicked during grooming
You need breed-specific cuts
You’re dealing with sensitive areas like ear plucking or gland expression
You aren’t comfortable with doing your dog’s nails
You don't know how to trim your dog or give them a haircut

Professional groomers are trained to deal with tricky coats and nervous pups, so ask for help if you need it.

Final Thoughts

Grooming keeps your dog looking good, feeling great, and can even help you catch health issues early.

Whether you’re brushing out tangles or giving a bath, you’re not just cleaning. You’re improving your dog's health.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended as professional medical advice. It is based on personal experience and online research. Please consult with your veterinarian if you are concerned about your dog's health.