How to Groom Your Dog at Home Without Stress

Regular grooming keeps your dog comfortable, cuts down on shedding and lets you spot skin problems, ticks or sore paws early. Salon visits add up quickly, though, and some dogs find them stressful. The good news: most everyday grooming is easy to do at home once you have a simple routine and a few basic tools. The secret is to go slowly and make it a calm, positive time.

Before you start

• Pick a calm moment. After a walk, when your dog is a little tired, is ideal.
• Keep sessions short. Five to ten minutes is plenty at first. You do not have to do everything in one day.
• Use treats and praise. Reward calm behavior often, especially when you handle paws and ears.
• Stop before it goes wrong. If your dog gets stressed, end on an easy step and try again tomorrow.

1. Brush first

Brushing removes loose hair and light tangles before they turn into mats, and most dogs enjoy it once they are used to it. A slicker brush works well for most coat types. Our self-cleaning slicker brush has fine pins with rounded tips, and one press of the button pushes the collected fur off the brush, so cleanup takes a second. Short coats need a quick brush once or twice a week; long and double coats do better with a few minutes every day or two.

2. Bath time without the drama

Most dogs only need a bath every few weeks, or when they get dirty. Use a shampoo made for dogs, lukewarm water and a non-slip surface. A brush with a built-in shampoo dispenser, like our 2-pack pet shower brushes, helps you work shampoo right into the coat while the soft silicone bristles give a gentle massage. Rinse well, because leftover shampoo can itch.

3. Trim and tidy

Trimming the fur around the paws, eyes and rear keeps your dog clean and comfortable between full haircuts. A quiet, cordless tool makes this much less scary for nervous dogs. Our 4-in-1 cordless grooming kit has snap-on heads for the body, long fur, small detail areas and nails, with a low-noise motor. Let your dog sniff the tool and hear it running before it ever touches them, and reward them for staying calm.

4. Nails: a little at a time

Long nails can be uncomfortable and change the way a dog walks. A nail grinder smooths nails gradually, which many owners find easier than clippers. Grind just the tip of one or two nails per session at first, and avoid the pink “quick” inside the nail. If your dog has dark nails or you are unsure, ask your vet or groomer to show you once.

5. Paws after every walk

Mud, salt and city grime end up on paws and then on your floors. A quick rinse at the door keeps your home cleaner and lets you check for small cuts. Our 7-in-1 dog paw cleaner and grooming kit includes a portable paw washer, brushes and absorbent towels for exactly this.

6. Ears and teeth

Check ears weekly: they should look clean and not smell bad. Brushing teeth a few times a week with a dog toothpaste helps a lot over time. If you notice redness, a strong smell, lumps or your dog seems in pain, talk to your vet rather than treating it at home.

A simple weekly routine

• Brush: 2 to 7 times a week, depending on the coat.
• Paws: a quick wipe or rinse after muddy walks.
• Nails: a light trim or grind every 2 to 3 weeks.
• Bath: every 4 to 8 weeks, or when dirty.
• Ears and teeth: a quick check every week.

Shop the post

• 4-in-1 Cordless Pet Grooming Kit with Nail Grinder
• Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Cats & Dogs
• 2-Pack Pet Shower Brushes with Shampoo Dispenser
• 7-in-1 Dog Paw Cleaner & Grooming Kit

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