Creating an effective at-home dog grooming routine doesn’t need any professional knowledge or special grooming equipment – just proper tools and regularity. A good at-home dog grooming routine will help you maintain your pet clean, healthy, and beautiful between professional visits. Below we give detailed instructions on building such routine at home.
Importance of a Home-based Grooming Routine
Professional dog grooming is important, however, majority of daily coat, skin, and nails maintenance is performed or must be performed at home. A regular dog grooming regimen will help you notice any potential problems, minimize shedding, and establish a good connection with your dog.
Tools Needed for At-Home Dog Grooming
- High-quality brush based on your dog’s coat (either a slicker brush, bristle brush, or an undercoat rake)
- Dog-specific shampoo and conditioner
- Nail clippers or grinder
- Ear cleaning solution and cotton
- Dental care tools (dog’s toothbrush and toothpaste)
- Towels and doggy dryer (it can be used, if necessary)
How to Build At-Home Dog Grooming Routine
Twice or three times a week
- Bathe the coat to control shedding and to prevent tangles
- Very quick checking of ears, eyes, and paws for any abnormalities
Once a week
- Bathe the teeth or give dental chews to maintain proper oral hygiene
- Check the nails to understand whether you need to trim them
Every two-four weeks
- Trim the nails, if needed
- Clean ears, if necessary (especially in case of floppy ears)
Once every four-six weeks
- Bathe with special dog shampoo
- Inspect the coat for any tangles or matting, where required
Advice on Effective Dog Grooming at Home
- Introduce your pet to dog grooming at an early age or, preferably, during puppyhood.
- Make grooming session short and enjoyable for your puppy in order not to scare it.
- Use rewards to make the dog grooming activity fun for your dog.
- Be prompt when it comes to grooming to avoid situations where your dog might develop mats, long nails, etc.
- Be aware of the times when you need to get your dog professionally groomed, especially if you have a challenging dog cut or a nervous dog.
When to Change Your Dog Grooming Routine
- Mats appear frequently despite regular brushing
- Odor appears even after a few days after bathing
- Noisy nails which means that your doggy definitely needs nail trimming
- Any kind of discomfort shown by your pet during the procedure
Conclusion
Effective at-home dog grooming routine doesn’t have to be difficult. Using proper tools and being regular will help to keep your dog healthy and beautiful between professional visits. For more information about training fundamentals see our article “Puppy Training 101“.
In case your pet resists grooming or there are any symptoms related to coat or skin problems you’d better ask a professional for consultation.
