How to groom your dog at home

Rizwan Ali
·5-min read
portrait of a cute young small dog looking at the camera with a yellow scarf covering him. White background. cold concept
portrait of a cute young small dog looking at the camera with a yellow scarf covering him. White background. cold concept

Every dog owner needs to know how to groom your dog at home. It can be a fun experience, too. If you are a new dog owner, you may want to take advantage of some helpful hints that will make the grooming process easier on you. This is especially important if this is your first time grooming your dog. Here are some tips for grooming your pet at home.

Cut or shave your dog's coat at home – choose yours!

Owner of the dog is combing the old dog's coat. lot of the dog's hair has shed and come out of the comb. Dogs are in poor health cause a lot of hair loss. Groomer combing the long hair of cute dogs.
Owner of the dog is combing the old dog's coat. lot of the dog's hair has shed and come out of the comb. Dogs are in poor health cause a lot of hair loss. Groomer combing the long hair of cute dogs.

There are several ways to cut or shave your dog's coat at home - but which one is better? Make sure your dog is in good health before you begin. If you have a brush, you can start grooming the coat by brushing out the tangles. Be careful not to cut your dog when he is still wet. Some dogs might even object to being shaved, or cut - in which case you might want to try a toy or a spray to distract them.

If you don't have any clippers, you can use a pair of scissors. Disposable slippers are very convenient - you can take them with you to groom other animals. Most stores sell good clippers for reasonable prices, so you shouldn't have a problem finding one.

5 Easy steps to groom your dog at home

  • Brush your dog's coat

Puppy dog getting groomed
Puppy dog getting groomed

Brushing your dog's coat is just as important as bathing him or her and should be given equal attention. A well-brushed coat can help shield your dog against the elements and stop hair from becoming matted down. It's not a requirement that you brush your dog every day, but it's essential to do so regularly. If you happen to have any kind of shedding issue with your dog, brushing it more often will help.

Never pull on your dog's coat, since this can damage the skin, especially around the ears. Use a wide-tooth comb, combing in from the edge of the face and working in.

You'll want to avoid pulling and tugging, which could lead to irritation and pain.

  • Give him a good bath

Relaxing bath foam to a Golden Retriever dog
Relaxing bath foam to a Golden Retriever dog

Bath your dog in your sink, or on your counter. It's an excellent opportunity for you both to become more familiar with one another. You will both feel great afterwards.

Wash your dog with warm water and soap. Use lukewarm water, as dogs sometimes have sensitive skin. Never use human shampoo on a dog, as it could irritate the skin and possibly cause a mild rash or even an allergic reaction.

Many loving owners like to bathe their dogs in their bathtubs. Just make sure that you do not drown your dog under the water! While, most dogs just need a quick splash to get rid of any dirt and prevent a rash.

  • Clean his face and teeth

Golden Retriever with toothbrush for dental care - isolated on white
Golden Retriever with toothbrush for dental care - isolated on white

For the dog's face, you want to do the same thing but use a different type of shampoo. The next step is to brush the teeth of your dog. This is very important because it will keep your dog's breath fresh and you will not have to worry about having to breathe in smelly breath on you or your guests.

There are different types of toothbrushes that you can buy, so just find one and start brushing.

You must keep your dog's ears clean too, by rubbing them well.

  • Clip his nails

Close up of female handler cutting Samoyed dogs nails using a sharp dog nail clipper. Dog lying on towel on kitchen table.
Close up of female handler cutting Samoyed dogs nails using a sharp dog nail clipper. Dog lying on towel on kitchen table.

Clipping your dog's nails is the main reason many owners decide to groom their dog at home. It is much healthier for your dog and better for your nails.

Remove the long, loose part of the nail and the root. You can accomplish this easily by putting your dog's front paws on your finger (if he has nails there already) and gently pulling the nail back until the long piece is gone.

You will probably need to do this several times, first in the evening and then again the next day.

Be sure to check to see if the nail has grown back. If it has, repeat the process.

  • Give him treat

Little schnauzer puppy with dog biscuits bones
Little schnauzer puppy with dog biscuits bones

Grooming your dog at home can be a lot of fun, but you also need to make sure you're following a few simple guidelines to ensure success. It is a good idea to give your dog a treat whenever he stays at your home for more extended periods. Most dogs have a natural tendency to want to please their owners. If your dog is naturally obedient, he should understand what you want him to do thoroughly.

If your dog loves to swim, you could give him a treat the second he gets out of the pool. It's essential to keep a reward when you practice the behaviour you want to reinforce.

Your dog will quickly forget what he got for doing the task once he's back in his house.

And, you don't want to be wasting your dog's time? So make sure you're taking care of him the right way!

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