Self-Dog Grooming: Steps for Safe At-Home Care

Grooming is an essential part of responsible dog ownership and includes brushing, bathing, nail clipping, and ear cleaning. It has many benefits, such as detecting lumps and bumps, reducing shedding, and building trust and connection.

However, at-home dog grooming can be intimidating for some pet parents. It can feel like a lot of work, especially for dogs who don’t relish the experience. Because of this, outsourcing all your dog’s grooming needs to a professional groomer is tempting, but doing so regularly can get expensive.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps for self-dog grooming and provide tips for grooming your dog safely.

Essential Tools for At-Home Dog Grooming

Grooming a dog at home requires a range of supplies to get the job done well and safely. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a fortune on supplies, nor do you need to have professional-level tools.

Here’s a list of the basic dog grooming tools that you’ll need:

Brushes and combs, according to coat type.
Nail clippers, grinders, or nail files.
Styptic powder.
Dog shampoo and conditioner.
Towels.
Low-heat and low-noise blow dryers.
Grooming mats.
Ear cleaning solution and cotton balls.

Optional supplies include grooming gloves, scissors, and a grooming table for large dogs.

Safe Dog Grooming Guide

In this section, we’ll go through the steps for basic grooming tasks: brushing, bathing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and coat care and trimming.

Brushing

Dog brushing at home distributes natural skin oils, stimulates circulation, prevents mats and tangles, and removes dirt and dead hair.

Brushing frequency depends on your dog’s coat. Dogs with long hair, such as Afghan Hounds, need daily brushing, while those with medium hair, such as Border Collies, should be brushed 2 to 3 times a week. Short-haired dogs, like Beagles, can be brushed once a week.

Select the proper brush. Specific brushes work best for certain coat types. Slicker brushes work well for long-haired dogs, while bristle brushes are ideal for brushing short-haired dogs.
Lightly dampen the hair with a leave-in conditioner or water. Doing so will make the hair easier to brush through.
Brush from back to front, using gentle, slow strokes.
Be gentle around sensitive areas. Areas such as the belly, ears, and tail can be sensitive for dogs. Use very gentle strokes in these areas. You can use a comb in these spots for a gentler touch.
Remove mats and tangles. A slicker brush or comb works well for working out tough tangles and mats. Mats and tangles can be painful, so take your time and be gentle as you work to remove them.

Brushing your dog when their belly is full and they are relaxed will help make the experience more pleasant for both of you. As you brush, check for lumps and bumps, as well as fleas and ticks.

Bathing

Dogs don’t need frequent bathing. In fact, frequent bathing can strip the skin of its natural oils, leaving the skin dry and irritated. Bathing your dog once or twice a month should be sufficient, unless they become dirty or smelly after being outside.

Select a shampoo. Use only a dog-specific shampoo. Compared to human skin, which has a lower pH (translation: more acidic pH), a dog’s skin has a higher pH. Thus, human shampoos are designed for more acidic skin and can leave a dog’s skin feeling dry, flaky, and irritated.
Keep the water lukewarm to warm. Mild, warm water is ideal for your dog’s bath. Water that’s too hot could scald your dog’s skin.
Brush your dog before the bath. Brushing your dog first helps remove dirt, debris, and dead hair, as well as any mats or tangles.
Lather your dog with the shampoo. Work the shampoo into your dog’s coat and skin, being careful to avoid the eyes, ears, and mouth.
Rinse your dog thoroughly. Leftover shampoo can make your dog’s skin itchy, so make sure to rinse thoroughly, even if it takes several rinses.
Dry off your dog with a microfiber towel. You can also use a low-heat, low-noise hair dryer to dry your dog. Blow dryers work well for long-haired dogs.

Nail Trimming

Admittedly, dog nail trimming can be a bit nerve-wracking because of the risk of cutting too far and causing the nails to bleed. Follow these steps to trim your dog’s nails safely and with confidence.

Use dog nail clippers or a grinder. Many dog nail clippers are designed to help you avoid clipping the nails down too far. Whether you use clippers or a grinder is your personal preference (and what your dog is more comfortable with).
Locate the quick. The quick is the blood vessel that runs through the middle of each nail. Dogs with white nails have a red quick that is easily visible. The quick is a black spot in dogs with black nails.
Take small clips. Cutting the quick is painful, so it’s important to avoid it. Clip small amounts at a time, just enough to keep the quick from becoming visible.
Use styptic powder. If you accidentally cut the quick, dab a small amount of styptic powder on the nail to stop the bleeding.

If your dog is especially squeamish or anxious about nail trims, make the environment calm and quiet. Also, clip the nails when your dog is already relaxed, such as after a walk or a meal. Talking to your dog in a soothing voice and giving them lots of verbal praise while you’re clipping their nails is also helpful.

Ear Cleaning

Cleaning your dog’s ears helps prevent ear infections by preventing a buildup of dirt and debris. Dogs that spend a lot of time in water or have floppy ears are more prone to ear infections and require more frequent ear cleaning. For most dogs, once-monthly ear cleaning should be sufficient.

Use a dog-safe ear cleaner. Your vet can recommend a veterinary dog ear cleaner.
Administer the cleaner. Squeeze the recommended amount of cleaning solution into your dog's ear until it fills the ear canal. Squish it around for about 30 seconds to break up dirt and debris.
Allow your dog to shake their head.
Use a cotton ball or gauze. Never use a Q-tip in your dog’s ear! Doing so can damage the eardrum. Gently swab your dog’s ear to wipe the cleaning solution out, going only as far as your first knuckle.
Check for signs of infection. If you see redness or swelling, contact your vet. Also, look for parasites like fleas and mites.

Coat Care and Trimming

Proper brushing and bathing will go a long way toward caring for your dog’s coat. Trimming your dog’s coat in certain areas is typically optional but may be needed if the hair around your dog’s eyes and nose, for example, has become long. This type of trimming takes careful practice and patience.

To trim your dog’s coat, you’ll need hair clippers and a pair of curved or straight scissors.

Place the clippers flat, rather than at an angle, on your dog’s coat. Start with the largest clipping guard.
Clip in the direction of hair growth.
Start at the neck, and move to the back and belly, then end with the nail, legs, and head.
Use scissors to trim around the eyes, ear flaps, and around the jaws.

Safety Tips for At-Home Grooming

DIY dog grooming should be an enjoyable experience, not a battle of wills. Here are some dog grooming tips to keep you and your dog safe.

Keep grooming sessions short and positive. Don’t expect your dog to sit through an hour-long grooming session. The shorter, the better.
Avoid over-cutting the nails or trimming in sensitive areas. To maintain your dog’s trust, avoid doing anything that causes them discomfort when grooming.
Monitor for skin irritation, infections, or unusual lumps. If you notice any of these, schedule an appointment with your vet for further evaluation.
Reward dogs with treats and praise to reduce stress. The happier your dog, the better. Treats and praise will help your dog feel good when they’re getting groomed.

Practice Makes Perfect

Self-dog grooming has benefits for your dog and you, such as promoting healthy skin and increasing bonding and connection. When done regularly, grooming can prevent problems and detect them early.

Even though grooming at home can feel intimidating or overwhelming at first, you can get better and more comfortable with it over time and with more practice and patience