“You’re looking a little shaggy my friend!” Has this been something you have said to your pooch recently? Typically, most people at this stage would hop on the phone and book an appointment with the doggy salon, but what happens if you can’t do that? How do you keep your dog looking trimmed and groomed?
There are many reasons why you may not be able to get to a pet groomer … money, time, or any number of other situations. How do you groom your dog at home, though? It takes a little patience and some special tools, but it is easier than you think.
Keep reading and find out how you can groom your dog in the comfort of your own home.
Tools You Will Need
Before you get started, you will want to have all your tools ready and situated where they are easy to grab. Here are the tools that you will need for the grooming process.
Brush/Comb
You will need to choose this based on your dog’s coat. If you have a pup with long hair, then a brush with metal pins is a good option. However, if you have a shorter haired breed, a brush with teeth made of rubber would work better.
Scissors
Make sure you get a professional pair of scissors and keep them sharp so they cut easier. This will eliminate pulling or snagging.
Clippers
Find a nice reliable set of clippers. Don’t use your clippers — invest in a pair of doggy clippers. These will work better for your pooch.
Shampoo
Find a brand that offers a chemical-free formula. You can also water the shampoo down a little, as this will make the washing out process much quicker and easier.
Towel
Once you are done, you will want to towel your dog off. Make sure that a big-enough towel is somewhere close by to wrap up the process.
Steps for Grooming
Step 1: Washing
The first step is to make sure your dog is cleaned, and that means giving them a good wash. Think about when you get your haircut, your stylist washes your hair first. This makes the hair easier to cut.
When giving your dog a bath, you want to start with warm water. You also want to choose the right location. For smaller dogs, bathing inside might be a good idea. On the other hand, if your pooch is a larger dog, outside will save you a lot of clean up.
Once you have your dog all lathered up, make sure to wash the shampoo out thoroughly. Then, let the dog dry completely before starting to groom.
Step 2: Brushing
Now that your dog is all dried off, you can brush them out. This will get rid of any matted or dead hair. The best method is to start at the head and work your way to the tail. Don’t forget to brush the underbelly, too.
One word of note, if you come across any tangles or mattes that are just too thick to brush through, leave them. You can take care of them once you start the trimming portion of the grooming session.
Now comes the actual grooming phase. You will start with clippers and then move on to the scissors for touch-ups.
Step 3: Clippers
You will start with clippers, as this will get the bulk of the hair removed in a quicker and more precise fashion. Clippers tend to come with numbered guards to help you get your desired length. If this is your first time, you may want to start with the largest and then work your way through the other sizes until you find the right one.
Now that you have the guard chosen, you will want to start with those matted and tangled areas you left. Check the area and see if there is any swelling or redness. If there is you may want to consult your vet before continuing, as there could be an infection.
If not, then slowly use the clippers to cut your pooch’s hair. You may also need to ask for some assistance for the hard-to-reach places.
Step 4: Scissors
It’s now time to trim up those areas around the legs, face, and ears. For this, you will want to use your scissors. Make sure, as you are snipping, that you use only the tips of the scissors. That way, if the dog makes a sudden move, you can pull them back quickly.
When you get to the dog’s ears, make sure to hold them down away from the scissors. Just like with the clippers, having a second pair of hands can be very helpful so that accidents are less likely to occur.
That is it! Now you have a nicely groomed pooch.
Do’s & Don’ts
As with everything else, there are things that you learn through trial and error, but we want to alleviate some of those. We have put together a Do’s and Don’ts list that we hope can help you out.
Do’s
- Make sure that you don’t go too long between grooming sessions
- Be patient with yourself and your dog
- Find a place that is safe and has plenty of lighting to groom your pooch
- Makes sure all your tools are designed for dogs and are sharp
Don’ts
- Go too fast
- Hold the dog in place by their hair
- Bathe your dog too often
- Overwhelm your dog
- Forget to clean your dog’s ears
Final Thoughts
Grooming your dog is a big job, and it takes patience and time. As long as you remember that, grooming your dog at home will not be such a chore. Hopefully, we have given you a good guideline to get you started. Now, all that’s left is to catch your dog and get them in that tub.
