How to groom your dog at home

Dogs need regular grooming to keep them looking and feeling great. Read on for our top tips on how to wash a dog, trim their fur, look after their teeth and more.

You want your pooch to look and feel their best, so having a good dog grooming routine for them is key. Not only will regular brushing keep their fur looking glossy and beautiful, but it’s also a wonderful way to bond with your furry friend! 

Take the opportunity to check things like their claws, ears, eyes and teeth too, as it’s important to keep these healthy with regular care.

While dog groomers will do a fantastic job, it’s perfectly possible to groom a dog at home with a few dog grooming essentials, such as a dog brush, dog grooming clippers and some dog shampoo. If you’re not sure how to groom your dog, here are some of our top tips. 

Brushing your dog

Brushing feels great for lots of doggos and more importantly, it helps to remove dead hair and dirt from their coat to keep it healthy and shiny. If your pooch has really long or thick fur, they’ll benefit from a brush at least once a week. Dogs with shorter or thinner fur generally don’t need as much attention, but will still need the occasional brush to keep their coat as healthy as possible. 

Choose a dog grooming brush that’s designed to suit your dog’s size and fur texture, and brush with firm strokes in the direction of hair growth. A dog deshedding brush or comb collects loose fur and removes lightly tangled undercoat hair. Slicker brushes are also good for this, which have short, closely placed wires on a flat surface to help remove mats and loose hair in long and short coats. Bristle brushes are much gentler and are used to soften hair and distribute healthy oils to create a shine.

Washing your dog

Nobody wants their furry friend to be smelly, especially if you’ve got guests coming round or you’re taking your dog into the office. So, they need regular bathing to keep their coats clean and healthy - even if your pooch needs a bit of coaxing, praise and reward to get them to comply! Unless they get really dirty, most dogs only need a bath about once a month. This said, how often you should wash your dog is determined by their breed and coat type. For example, long-haired and curly-haired breeds generally need more regular bathing and grooming to prevent matting. 

Make sure you use a special dog shampoo on your pooch, as human shampoos can contain fragrances and chemicals that can be harsh on a dog’s skin. Even if you use dog shampoo, washing your dog too frequently can dry out their skin and cause irritation. If your pooch has a love for mud or you regularly walk them through mucky fields, sometimes a rinse with plain water (without shampoo) will do the trick to remove the dirt. 

Trimming your dog’s fur

If your pooch has a tricky coat to groom, you may prefer to go to a professional dog groomer for regular trims. But for some breeds, it’s possible to do at home with some hair cutting scissors or dog grooming clippers. Just be sure to give them a good brush first to remove any loose hair and matting. Dogs with wire-haired coats, like terriers and Poodles, generally need to be clipped every six to eight weeks. Dogs with silky coats, such as English Setters, should be trimmed every three months. Each breed is different though, so ask your vet or dog groomer if you’re not sure.

Trimming your dog’s claws

If your dog often walks on hard surfaces like pavements, their claws won’t usually get too long. But if you notice them getting long and sharp it’s important to give them a trim, so it’s comfortable for them to walk. Plus, your furry pal would never want to give you a nasty scratch if they can help it! Professional dog groomers will usually clip your dog’s nails during a routine grooming session, but you can do it yourself at home too. Ask your vet or a professional dog groomer to show you how to do this.

Looking after your dog’s eyes and ears

Your dog's eyes and ears should always be clean, so regularly check for any discharge coming from the corner of their eyes or dirt and wax buildup in their ears. You can gently clean the area around their eyes with moist cotton wool or a soft cloth. Do the same for the entrance of their ears, but be careful not to poke inside, as it’s sensitive in there and could cause harm. You can also get special dog ear cleaning solutions, but it’s best to check with your vet before using these.

Caring for your dog’s teeth and gums

It’s important to establish an oral care routine for your dog to prevent any teeth and gum problems from occurring. Ideally, you should brush their teeth everyday with special dog toothpaste to avoid plaque and bacteria buildup that can lead to gum disease and oral discomfort. You can also get special dog chews that complement tooth brushing to help keep your pooch’s gnashers clean and healthy. 

With some regular grooming, your pooch will be looking and feeling amazing! Remember to keep a check on their oral, ear and eye health too, and you’ve got their grooming routine nailed. Check out the CESAR®  dog blog for more tips for caring for your furry friend, including how to understand doggy body language and how to help your dog understand you in return.