Every dog needs a full grooming session every 4-8 weeks. However, most dogs feel anxious visiting pet grooming parlors. Sometimes, it’s so difficult to calm them that pet parents have to reschedule. 

Further, with the rising costs of modest living, keeping up with these sessions can be difficult. Thus, around 41% of owners prefer at-home grooming. This not only saves money but also prevents stress for your fur baby!

So, if you also want to start your at-home grooming journey, follow this blog on how to groom a dog step-by-step!

Step 1: Prepare all essentials and your dog mentally

The first step in how to groom a dog step-by-step is all about gathering everything you need, including tools, products, a calm and happy furry friend, and a confident YOU!

So, before you follow the best way to groom a dog, let’s grab everything you need.

• If you have a short-haired breed, get a slicker brush and a rubber grooming mitt. If it’s a double-coated or long-haired dog, invest in a quality de-matting comb and pin brush.
• Grab dog-friendly shampoos recommended by the vet. Choose mild and hypoallergenic options for dogs with a history of sensitive skin. Avoid human shampoos as they’re harsh on their skin.  
• Keep 2-3 towels for drying your pup after bathing, for catching loose hair while brushing, or for cleaning their paws and ears during other processes.
• Get a clean pair of dog nail clippers and a nail grinder.
• Buy a dog-specific ear-cleaning solution to remove ear wax and debris.
• Grab your pup’s toothpaste and toothbrush to beat bad breath and prevent gum disease.
• If you want to give them an at-home haircut, buy quality dog-compatible grooming clippers.

Next, create a soothing environment to calm your mutt and ensure it cooperates with you:

• Conduct the entire process in a quiet space where nobody will disturb your dog. Ensure plenty of light so you don’t miss any dirty spots.
• If your fur baby gets nervous during grooming sessions, consider playing white noise or their favorite music.
• Pet them and talk to them softly to help them settle down. Coax them with treats and use some calming diffusers to reduce their anxiety.
• If this is your pet’s first grooming session, start with slow and short sessions. This will help them adjust. Reward them for being obedient and calm.
• Stay calm and patient throughout the session. Remember, your pup can pick up on your energy and get affected.
• If you or your dog feels restless, take a short break!

Step 2: Brush their coat

Now that you’re aware of the basics, we’ll dive into the actual tips on how to groom a dog step-by-step.

Loose hair and dirt cause discomfort to your furry baby. So, regularly brush their coat to remove debris, stimulate blood circulation, and promote healthy skin!

Here’s the best way to groom a dog during this step.

• Gently stroke your mutt and slowly brush their coat to avoid startling them. Use a suitable brush and comb for your breed’s hair type.
• Go in the direction of hair growth to remove knots and mats.
• Be extra gentle around sensitive spots, including the tail, legs, and ears, and avoid pulling too roughly.
• Inspect for redness, swelling, rashes, and parasites during brushing. If your pup frequently suffers from skin issues, introduce organic pumpkin powder into their diet for healthy skin, coat, and good digestion.
• Brush short-haired breeds once weekly and long-haired ones several times weekly.

Step 3: Bathe them

On the mission of how to groom a dog step-by-step, bathe them to remove all dirt, odor, and allergens. Make sure to follow the recommended bathing routine only based on their breed and activities.

Let’s know how to groom your dog at home and refresh them.

• Place a non-slip mat on your bathtub to prevent your pup from slipping.
• Put your pup in it and wet them with lukewarm water from a mug or showerhead. Prevent water from entering their ears, eyes, or nose.
• Gently lather shampoo on their neck and massage downwards to remove dead skin cells, sweat, oil, and dirt. Lather a bit of shampoo on a washcloth and carefully clean the face.
• Rinse them until the running water is clear. Apply condition if the coat is dry and rinse well again.
• Blot them dry with a towel and use a blow dryer on the lowest heat several inches away from them.

Step 4: Trim the nails

Another essential step-by-step process for grooming a dog is nail trimming. Overgrowth and nail splitting are painful and cause posture issues. So, here’s how to groom your dog at home while being cautious about their paws.

• Make your canine companion sit/lie down and ask a family member to pet them.
• Trim a little bit from each nail for dark-nailed breeds using nail clippers. For light-colored nails, avoid the pink area, as they have blood vessels.
• If they’re comfortable, smoothen the nail edges with a grinder.
• Higher up on their paws, you’ll find dewclaws. Trim them as well, as they don’t naturally wear away due to lack of ground contact.
• If your dog has weak nails, nourish them with the essential nutrients in goat milk powder. Besides strong nails, it also ensures better skin and fur health.

Step 5: Clean the ears

Another important part of grooming a dog step-by-step is cleaning your mutt’s ears regularly. This is essential to prevent infections in breeds with hair within the ear canal and floppy ears. So, here’s how to groom your dog’s ears:

• Avoid cotton swabs or other objects. Only use an ear cleaner for dogs.
• Pour 2 drops of ear cleaner into their ear and massage it gently for even distribution.
• Wipe all wax and dirt with a cotton pad.
• Check for signs of ear infection, such as swelling, redness, or bad odor. Seek a vet if you notice these.

Step 6: Brush their teeth

Your canine’s good dental hygiene is the secret to preventing gum diseases, tooth decay, and bad breath. So, here’s how to groom a dog step-by-step for their peak oral hygiene:

• Brush their teeth slowly with a dog-friendly toothpaste and toothbrush. If they want to sniff it to feel less anxious, let them.
• Go in circular motions and focus near the gums and teeth to prevent plaque.
• Repeat at least 2-3 times weekly.

Step 7: Consider a quick at-home haircut

Lastly, on our blog on how to groom a dog step-by-step, we recommend giving your dog a haircut, especially if their hair grows fast. Here are some basic tips:

• Carefully trim hair around their eyes, face, ears, and paws using scissors to prevent accidents. Use clippers for the remaining body.
• Trim small amounts at a time and slowly work your way from up to down. Keep the hair longer during colder months.

Conclusion

With these thorough steps, you will ensure your dog has the most comfortable and refreshing grooming session ever. They won’t feel as stressed as visiting the grooming stations. Don’t forget to pop some treats to motivate them to be a good little boy/girl!

However, don’t forget that grooming your pet from outside isn’t enough. You must also offer them the right nutrition to make them healthy from the inside out. So, consider Pure Paws’ amazing range of single-ingredient nutrient-rich supplements now.

Our supplements offer universal nutrition and boost food taste. So, add them to your furry friend’s diet, and watch them thrive!