How to Groom a Dog - Step by Step Guide For Your Help

What is Dog Grooming?

Dog grooming is the process of looking after the dog and involves several steps like bathing, brushing your dog, and clipping of the nails with the help of nail clippers. The dog owners either do all the grooming themselves or take their beloved canine to a professional dog groomer.

Since this grooming involves several steps, it also involves using different types of tools and products that we will discuss in the later sections.

Does My Dog Need Grooming?

If it has hair, which all dogs have, then it needs grooming. Usually, most of the dogs have heavy fur coats and we love them for it. However, these lovely fur babies need proper care also. There have been cases in which dogs suffered due to matted hair and unclipped nails.

Therefore, if you want to keep your dog’s ‘beauty’ untinted then grooming is an absolute must. And you can do it at home also.

How to Groom a Dog at Home?

We know that grooming a dog at home is not everyone’s thing but with a little planning and care, you can do it successfully. Follow the following steps to have a perfect grooming schedule for your dog.

Gather all the Needed Tools and Supplies

Before beginning, make sure that you have all the supplies and tools in line. Some of the basic tools that you will need to groom and care for your dog are brushes, according to the length of your dog’s hair, clippers, dog shampoo and conditioner, bathtub, and dryer.

Choose a Safe and Anti-Slip Place

Choose a safe and well-lit area for grooming. Avoid tying them up to limit their movement and keep the process as smooth as possible. Stay focused and do not pet your dog during the process.

Groom the Matted Hair Carefully

Matted hair is a BIG problem. This is why we suggest that you brush your dog regularly. The dog’s hair gets matted and tangled when it is not properly groomed and brushed. In case this has happened with your dog, you need to be very careful now.

The best way to do it is to take him to a professional but if you want to do it yourself, start slow.

Use Pin Brush and other Tools for Long Hair

Long-haired dogs need more care than short-haired dogs. Long hair is more prone to tangles and matting and this is why we highly recommend that you brush and comb them regularly.

Use Clippers and Scissors for the Grooming

Clippers and scissors are amongst the most common dog grooming tools and products. If you are taking your dog to a professional groomer then you will not have to do anything but if grooming your dog at home then you should know how to use them properly.

Know How to Keep a Dog Calm while Grooming

Keep a close eye on your dog and look for any possible warning signs like trembling and whining without any obvious reasons. Some dogs love their cleaning and grooming sessions while others are not a big fan of it. If your dog is from the other category then it is better that you take reasonable breaks between it.

Brushing the Hair Before Bathing

Always brush your dog before bathing. Dogs with soft and long hair may have dead hair tangled with the live ones. This tangled hair could turn really bad if you try to wash them this way.

If you have a long-haired dog then brushing it before bath time is important. Just like the people with long hair need more care and combing before washing, the dogs need it too.

Bathing your Dog

Many dogs love to play in the water while others may despise it. This is why bathe your dog outside, your backyard will be a great place, and use mildly hot water for it. Many people like to use a shower head or faucet for it but the best way is to bathe him in a bathtub.

Let Coco Dry Properly

Just like bathing, drying is equally important for Coco. Dogs have thicker coats and need more time to dry out completely. For drying, you can use a dryer or take your dog out in the sunlight, if you have a lawn. Run your hand through the hair and don't use a brush or comb in overly wet hair.

Unlike humans, trying to brush through the wet hair could tangle the hair and this is painful for your dog.

Trim Nails

Trimming the nails of your ESA dog or cat is important for hygienic purposes. Nails that are of light colors are easier to cut as compared to that of dark nails. The reason is that the blood vessels that supply blood to the claws of a dog’s body are easier to see with light-colored claws.

Make sure that you have a pet care tool kit including all the necessities. While trimming the nails, ensure that the tool kit includes Styptic powder. The powder is used to control bleeding caused during the trimming of nails.

However, doing it yourself could be dangerous since you may not know where and when to stop. Taking Coco to a professional is a much better choice. Since they are trained for the job, they know how to do it safely.

Don't Ignore the Ears

Dog’s ears are very, VERY, sensitive and they need extra care and attention. When giving Coco the bath, make sure that you have put cotton balls into the ears to absorb the water. Besides, you will need to clean wax out of the ears.

For dogs with long drooping ears, regular brushing is important to keep them clean and fit. Dogs love to roam around and this activity exposes them to numerous situations. Therefore, clean and brush the ears regularly.

If you find the 'dog grooming at home' process way too time-consuming or something that you are not sure about then taking your dog to a professional groomer is a better decision.

How to Groom a Dog with Matted Hair

Grooming matted hair is difficult and trickier than managing normal hair. When handling them, follow the below steps:

• Make small sections of the hair
• Comb through it slowly and do not cut them
• Sprinkle some corn starch on your dog’s hair and use a slicker brush for it
• Go slow and do not bath your dog with matted hair

In case you do not understand how to handle your dog properly, take him to a professional groomer.

How to Groom a Dog with Long Hair

Grooming a long-haired dog is difficult from managing a dog with small hair. To groom a dog with long hair, follow the below steps:

• If you are not planning to trim your dog’s hair or nails then lay your dog on his back and use a pin brush to comb his hair
• If bathing, de-mat all the tangles, use a detangle brush to smooth all the knots, trim the nails or hair before bathing
• Use a good quality dog shampoo and conditioner to wash and condition your dog’s hair
• Use a large towel to dry your dog completely
• Do the nail trimming after the bathing and drying of the dog
• Trim the hair on the face; around the eyes and ears

You can buy all the needed supplies from an online pet store easily.

How to Groom a Dog at Home with Scissors

Follow the below steps on how to groom a dog with scissors:

• Comb the fur of your dog’s face and the entire body
• Pull the hair under the muzzle lightly and shape them carefully
• Trim the hair on top of your dog’s head carefully so that it does not come in front of the eyes
• When trimming your dog’s face, pull the hair around the ears, eyes, and muzzle and trim them carefully and don’t get too close
• For ears, hold each ear in your hand to know where the edge of the ear is and to avoid nicking your dog’s ear
• Move down the neck and pull the hair on its back and front gently and use thinning scissors to trim the hair here
• When trimming the hair on legs, lift a side of the leg to see the hair clearly and any apparent unevenness
• When trimming the sides, comb the hair properly before trimming and cutting them
• Work on the tail fur of the dog and comb it to see the length of the hair and trim the excess fur
• Check the fur on your dog’s head, face and body to make sure that they are smooth and even

Make sure that your scissors are sharp when grooming your dog.

How to Groom a Dog at Home with Clippers

When choosing clippers for your dog’s home grooming, follow the below steps:

• Depending on your dog, choose clippers that make minimal noise, loud noises distress dogs
• Keep your clippers sharp at all times to avoid pulling and cutting your dog’s hair smoothly
• Do not push or work the clippers way too fast and go slow with it, similarly, do not clip the nails too fast to avoid discomfort
• Follow the direction of the hair’s growth and cut accordingly for a smooth cut
• Hold your dog to prevent any movement and start the shaving from the neck and down the entire body
• Do the grooming as per the type of your dog’s coat, ask a professional groomer to check and tell you about it
• Choose the right kind of clipper blade, which is best for your dog; for dogs with heavy fur coat need sturdy combs and de-matters to detangle and manage the hair while the short-haired dogs will need nothing more than a single blade
• Check how your dog’s breed ‘should’ look like and maintain the look
• Make sure that your clippers are on room temperature to avoid burning your dog’s skin

Check and buy from the best dog nail clippers that are designed to groom your dog breed.

How to Groom a Dog that Bites

Is your dog aggressive and does not like to be groomed? Many dog owners have the same problem. Some dogs are overly sensitive and do not like anyone touching their fur while many are scared of the clippers and scissors.

Follow the below steps to groom an aggressive dog safely:

• Choose a time when your dog is tired or worn out
• Limit the grooming session to no more than 10 minutes
• Show the tools to your dog and let him smell and acquaint with them better
• If needed, get a muzzle for your dog to be safe
• Offer treats throughout the grooming session to encourage good behavior
• Redirect his attention to something else like soothing music to try CBD oil to keep your dog calm
• Do not scold him and wait for him to calm down

When grooming your dog at home, make sure that you buy quality products and those that are good and suitable for your dog.

How Much Does it Cost to Groom a Dog?

On average, you should expect to pay anything between $40 to $100+, depending on the size of your dog. Small dogs and fewer services will charge less than when your dog is large in size and need for grooming, and additional services.

Small dog breeds like Shih Tzu, Pomeranian, and Maltese dogs will cost around $40 while larger dogs like Huskies, German Shepherd Dog, Newfoundland dog, Portuguese Water Dog, Great Pyrenees dog, etc. will cost anything from $80 to $100 and above.

Dangers of not Grooming your Dog

There have been cases where an animal is left in a painful situation due to poor grooming.

To know more, read below.

Fleas and Ticks

Poor grooming could lead to the building of dirt in your dog's coat and on its skin. One of the main benefits of bathing Coco is that it will help in getting rid of all the dirt and grime. Coco spends days playing and rolling on the floor and this makes him prone to dirt.

Use good quality and effective flea treatment options to get rid of and prevent fleas.

Matting and Skin Problems

Dogs and cats have heavy furs. These furs need proper grooming like brushing to stay healthy, shiny, and tangle-free. Matting is a common problem in dogs and cats and if left unattended, it could lead to a number of other problems like difficulties in moving and bedsores.

Arthritis and Bone Deformation

Long nails are uncomfortable for your beloved Coco. Trimming the nails is important if you want to keep your dog jumping and running in joy. Due to long nails, your dog may start walking sideways. This could lead to bone deformation and other issues.

Having an ESA helps with a number of emotional and mental problems. While it is easy to get an emotional support animal with an ESA letter by filling in our online form, you must also take care of your companion animal as well. After all, they deserve all the love and care for everything they do for us.