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Good grooming will help your dog look and feel their best. Routine grooming sessions also allow you to examine your dog鈥檚 coat, teeth, eyes, ears, and nails for signs of problems. How often you need to groom your dog depends on their size, breed, and coat type.

While good hygiene habits are essential for a healthy dog, unlike humans, most dogs don鈥檛 require daily hygiene and grooming habits. What is required and how often depends on the breed. For example, the Afghan Hound,听Poodle, and聽Komondor 鈥� just to name a few 鈥� require regular grooming. Breeds such as the Beagle,听Weimaraner, and聽Boxer allow more freedom in the grooming department.

Professional dog groomers, professional dog handlers, and some veterinary technicians are well-trained in grooming, so you can be assured that your pup is in good hands. However, it鈥檚 useful for owners to learn maintenance grooming to keep their dogs looking sharp between visits to the groomer.

One of the best sources of information for grooming can be your dog鈥檚 breeder. A聽responsible breeder will often have a wealth of knowledge on all topics related to their breed, including grooming tips and equipment needed to do a good job.

Brushing at Home

Several weekly brushing sessions will keep the average dog neat and clean, but daily attention is even better. Brush all the way down to the skin, letting the massaging action stimulate blood circulation and loosen and remove flakes of dandruff.

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Check with a professional groomer, breeder, or veterinarian to determine which grooming tools you鈥檒l need before making any purchases. The kind of equipment you need depends on your dog鈥檚 coat texture and length:

• Longhaired dogs need , which have long, round-ended stainless-steel or chrome-plated pins
• Short-, medium-, and some long-coated breeds need
• You can use a to remove mats and dead hair or a rubber curry comb to polish smooth coats and remove dead hair
• Other tools you may need include , , rakes, or a hairdryer

With the appropriate brush for your dog鈥檚 coat, brush your dog regularly to remove dirt and debris, prevent matting, control shedding, and create a shiny coat. When brushing, always check for burrs and other stubborn plant material; mats, which most frequently form behind the ears and under the legs; and any cuts or scrapes on the skin itself.

All dogs shed, though some shed more than others. Regular brushing will also help keep shedding under control.

Bathing at Home

Your dog should have regular, but not frequent, baths, depending on their breed and coat type. Too-frequent washing removes natural oils and causes the coat to become dry and harsh.

When necessary, use a . Stand the dog in a or basin, and put cotton balls in their ears and a few drops of mineral oil in their eyes. Wet the dog with warm water and apply shampoo from the neck back. After lathering and scrubbing, rinse your dog thoroughly with warm water. Rub vigorously with a (they鈥檒l help you with vigorous shaking!), and then blow dry if necessary.

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Nail Trimming at Home

Your dog鈥檚 nails must be short for the feet to remain healthy. Long nails interfere with the dog鈥檚 gait, making walking awkward or painful. They can also break easily, especially at the base of the nail, where blood vessels and nerves are located, which precipitates a trip to the veterinarian. If you can hear the nails clicking on the floor, they鈥檙e too long.

To trim your dog鈥檚 nails, use a . Most have safety guards to prevent you from cutting the nails too short. You want to trim only the ends before the 鈥渜uick,鈥� which is a blood vessel inside the nail. (You can see where the quick ends on a white nail but not on a dark nail.) Clip only the hook-like part of the nail that turns down.

Many dogs dislike having their nails trimmed. You can make it a painless procedure by getting your dog used to having their feet handled in puppyhood. Start trimming gently, a nail or two at a time, and your dog will learn that you鈥檙e not going to hurt them.

If you accidentally cut the quick, stop the bleeding with some . If you find it impossible to clip your dog鈥檚 nails, take them to a veterinarian or groomer.

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Ear Cleaning at Home

You should clean your dog鈥檚 ears once a month or more often if they鈥檙e prone to ear problems. Clean the outer part of the ear only, using a damp cloth or a cotton ball soaked in mineral oil. Never force anything into the ear. Some dogs need the hair plucked just inside the ear to keep air circulating. Ask your veterinarian if this is necessary for your dog.

When cleaning your dog鈥檚 ears, take a good look inside and smell each ear and ear canal. Any signs of severe redness, swelling, debris, discharge (brown or yellow), or a fetid, 鈥測easty鈥� odor may be a sign of infection and require a visit to your veterinarian. These signs are often more noticeable after a bath or swimming due to the accumulation of moisture. It is important to thoroughly dry your dog鈥檚 ears after they get wet.

Eye Cleaning at Home

When cleaning your dog鈥檚 eyes, be sure to check for redness or other signs of irritation. Gently wipe away any discharge in the corners with a cotton ball or soft washcloth moistened with warm water. Make sure not to rub the cotton ball directly over the eye and only use products designed for dogs, such as or an .

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Tooth Brushing at Home

Clean your dog鈥檚 teeth frequently with a and designed for dogs. If your dog balks at having their teeth brushed, get them used to it by rubbing their teeth and gums with your finger. Then, put a little toothpaste on your finger and let them sniff and lick it; do the same with the toothbrush. You can also provide or that will help clean their teeth. As your dog gets older, they may have a buildup of tartar that requires special cleaning by a veterinarian.

It鈥檚 best to brush your dog鈥檚 teeth daily, but you should brush them at least a few times per week. Plaque starts to build up after 48 hours. You can also try wrapping your finger with gauze or a washcloth. Wipe the teeth and massage the gums.

Dental problems in dogs can lead to other problems, including serious health issues such as heart disease, kidney disease, and more. Get your dog accustomed to having their teeth cleaned regularly. It鈥檚 good for your pet and can save you from costly dental work as the dog ages.

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Dog Grooming Dos and Don鈥檛s

Before grooming your dog at home, it鈥檚 essential to obtain the right tools. The mentors listed above will help guide you in the purchase of the right nail trimmers, a styptic powder used to stop nail bleeding such as聽Kwik Stop, teeth-cleaning tools, brushes, wide and fine-tooth combs, shampoos, and even blow dryers if needed.

Here are some grooming tips to keep your dog looking and feeling their best:

• Use a damp towel to wipe any dirt, mud, sand, pine needles, or other outdoor debris from your dog鈥檚 coat as needed.
• Check your dog鈥檚 pads regularly to ensure that they鈥檙e not dry, cracked, or injured in any way. Excessive hair may also grow between your dog鈥檚 toes and become matted or cause other problems. It should be trimmed to be even with the paw pads or slightly shorter. You must be do this carefully to prevent cutting your dog. Use or a small, narrow clipper blade only after you speak with your groomer, breeder, or veterinary staff.
• Don鈥檛 use products intended for humans when grooming your dog. Instead, always use veterinarian-approved products formulated for dogs.
• If you notice any injuries, sores, lacerations, or wounds while grooming your dog, don鈥檛 attempt to treat them yourself. Call or schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.
• In cool or cold temperatures, don鈥檛 bathe your dog outdoors, as it can result in dangerous drops in your dog鈥檚 body temperature.
• Don鈥檛 attempt to express your dog鈥檚 anal sacs yourself. This is better done by a groomer or vet, but your veterinarian can train you in the correct way to do it if you鈥檙e so inclined.

When you combine home grooming and hygiene with regular professional grooming visits, your dog鈥檚 coat, nails, teeth, ears, eyes, and paws will be clean, healthy, and odor-free 鈥� making everyone in the household happy!