Grooming

Is your dog’s fur getting a little smelly and matted? And are their nails looking curled and overgrown? It’s time to take your fur baby to the groomer! But before you call up your local brick-and-mortar grooming salon, maybe you should consider mobile dog grooming.

Finding a way to fit a grooming appointment and travel time into your busy schedule can be a pain. It makes the process a stressful situation, as you’ll often need to rush around. But mobile dog grooming can easily take all this stress away and bring the grooming salon right to your door!

Keep reading to learn what to expect from mobile services to see if it's right for you and your pup!

What is Mobile Dog Grooming?

Mobile dog grooming is essentially a grooming salon squished into a van. It typically has everything you’d find at your local grooming salon. There’s usually a full-sized washing station that fits both small and large breed dogs, along with grooming tables. And the groomer will have every tool needed to get your pup looking back to normal.

The van will park in your driveway, welcome your dog inside, and get right to work on your pup! It’s a much easier and faster process than taking your furry friend to your usual groomer or grooming at home.

What Services Do They Usually Offer?

You’ll often find that mobile dog grooming companies offer the same services as a brick-and-mortar company. The most common services you’ll see include the following:

• Bathing
• Brushing and haircuts
• Nail trims
• Eye cleanings, which help get the crusty gunk out of the corners of their eyes, along with tear stains.
• Ear cleanings, which get rid of excess wax and dirt in your dog’s ears to prevent infection.
• Anal gland expressions (not all groomers offer this)
• Deshedding treatments, which usually use a specialized shampoo or conditioner to loosen the undercoat.

Depending on the mobile dog grooming company you choose, they may offer other options too. Some offer just the basics, while others might provide more luxury-like services like painting your dog’s nails or breed-specific cuts!

How Long Does Mobile Dog Grooming Take?

A typical brick-and-mortar grooming company usually has extremely long wait times. This is due to groomers sharing supplies and trying to control multiple dogs at once. And not to mention the messes created in between dogs that need to get cleaned up. Because of all this, it can take up to four hours before you can pick up your dog and go home.

Mobile dog grooming is like a one-room salon. So, there’s only one groomer and one dog in the van at a time. Due to this, there’s no sharing of anything, allowing the process to go faster and smoother. You can expect this type of grooming to take an hour or less, with two hours typically being the maximum.

The exact time frame will depend on the services you choose and how large your dog is. More fur means more work! Prices will also differ due to these two factors.

What Does a Typical Mobile Dog Grooming Session Look Like?

Starting a mobile dog grooming session should be easy, especially if your dog has no problem meeting new people.

The groomer will typically call you or come to your door to chat with you before beginning. You’ll discuss the services you want, the cost, and any concerns you might have. From there, you’ll fill out any necessary paperwork, and the groomer will take your dog to the van. They’ll perform all the services you asked for and bring your clean pup out afterward!

Depending on the company, they may ask for payment after the session, or you might be able to pay online. Keep in mind that anal gland expressions, deshedding treatments, and other non-basic services may cost extra.

If this is your dog’s first time meeting this groomer, you should do an introduction before heading to the van. Allowing your dog to sniff the new stranger and get a few pats will make your pup more comfortable. This isn’t always needed, as some dogs are happy-go-lucky with everyone. But it’s a great precaution to take. New smells and energies can be overwhelming.

The Pros and Cons of Mobile Dog Grooming Services

Similar to any other service you receive or purchase, mobile dog grooming comes with some pros and cons. Keep in mind that the cons might not pertain to you depending on your personal situation.

Pros

It Saves Time

As mentioned before, sharing supplies can significantly increase the time your dog spends at a brick-and-mortar grooming salon. Oftentimes, there are at least two groomers in the room passing around the same grooming tools.

Sometimes there’s only one bathing station and multiple clients, which holds up the grooming line quite a bit. Checking in for the appointment can take time as well if there are a lot of appointments booked for that day. And once you do check in, your dog will probably have to wait their turn for a while.

Mobile dog grooming eliminates everything above. There are no wait times, supply sharing, or spending money on gas to get to the groomer. Without these factors, your dog can be in and out of the grooming van in no time. And there’s no rushing around to pick up your pup when the groomer finishes, giving you more free time!

It Can Be More Comfortable For Your Pup

Does your dog get anxious or overwhelmed with noises and new smells? Anxiety and stress are prevalent among the canine species! About 72.5% of dogs have some type of anxiety-related issue. The biggest problem tends to be noise, as dogs have heightened senses.

At a typical groomer, your dog will often be around other dogs and sometimes cats. With these other animals in the vicinity, your dog will get introduced to many different noises and smells.

Barking, whining, meowing, blow dryers, nail grinders, and other sounds can be a nightmare for your pup’s ears. And not to mention the smells from people, other animals, grooming products, drool, and sometimes urine. All of this would be enough to drive you crazy too!

However, a mobile dog grooming van provides a much different environment. You can expect a quieter environment with fewer anxiety-inducing triggers. The groomer will be one-on-one with your fur baby. And your dog will be in the familiar domain of your driveway. Familiarity and a more sensory comfortable environment will be much better for your pup, especially if they’re anxious.

Easier Scheduling

Scheduling with a mobile dog grooming service is usually easier than scheduling with brick-and-mortar companies. Mobile services typically work around your schedule, so you don’t need to alter your day to get your pup groomed.

The mobile company will ask what your availability is, and they’ll help you schedule the perfect time for you. Many will also offer extended hours when compared to a brick-and-mortar company. This allows you to schedule an appointment after you get home from work.

Cons

It Can Get Expensive

While mobile dog grooming is much more convenient, that convenience comes with a price. Regular grooming salons only charge you for the services you want. Mobile salons will not only charge this, but they typically factor travel expenses into their prices.

The company is using its gas and generators for running water and electricity. And to make money and continue their business, they’ll need to charge you for this. Sometimes this is a set rate worked into their service prices. And other times, the price may depend on how far away you live. They may not charge travel time unless you live outside a specific mileage zone.

Be sure to check out the mobile groomer’s website or call to ask them ahead of time about this. The price often isn’t detrimentally higher than a brick-and-mortar place. But it can put a small dent in your wallet if you weren’t planning on the added expense.

Location Issues

Do you live in a busy city or a quiet, rural area that’s miles away from the nearest store? Your home’s location can influence your grooming options!

Naturally, if you live in a more remote area, a whole list of services will be unavailable to you. This can include grocery delivery, food delivery, exterminators, and even mobile dog grooming services. Unavailability is often because the company’s home base is too far from your home.

The farther the distance, the more the company has to pay for gas. One far-away appointment also affects the rest of the appointments for that day, as travel time will increase. Driving out to a far location just isn’t cost-effective for the company.

Mobile dog grooming companies will usually provide a mileage zone that they work within. Before you book your appointment, you should ensure you fall within that zone. If you can book online, the website might even let you know if services are unavailable in your area.

Wrapping Up Mobile Dog Grooming Expectations

If you’re tired of grooming your pup or driving to a groomer, mobile dog grooming is an excellent choice! While it can be a little expensive, it will definitely make the entire grooming process more convenient for you. And your dog will enjoy the laid-back environment!

Use these expectations and pros and cons to help you decide if it’s time to switch to mobile dog grooming.

Are you looking for more dog-related content? Check out our All Paws home page for more tips and tricks when caring for your furry friend!

Taking care of a dog can feel daunting at first. But all your pet really needs from you is love. Reinforced with lots of pats and yummy treats.

If you can remember that, everything else will be easy. Especially with this guide to dog grooming for beginners!

Below you’ll find everything that goes into grooming your pet and all the tips and tricks you need to accomplish your task.

Why is Grooming Important?

Cleanliness is definitely a big part of what makes grooming necessary. But there are lots of other benefits!

Regular groomings are the best way to check in with your dog and make sure they’re healthy. A dog wants to protect you just as much as you do them. And sometimes, that will push them to hide their cuts and bruises from you.

As you brush through their coat, you can inspect their body for anything hiding underneath their hair or fur.

Plus, the touch and care that goes into grooming will reinforce your relationship with your dog. When you use strange tools on them that make weird noises, you’ll have to soothe their worries. And they will learn to trust you while you learn to understand their body language.

Does My Dog Need a Haircut?

The first step in any dog grooming for beginners guide is identifying the major differences in breeds. And whether or not they have fur or hair will change a lot.

Hair

Dogs with hair, like poodles and water dogs, have a single-layered coat. Without a cut, it will continue to grow and mat. Which can lead to sores and other injuries.

Luckily this dog grooming for beginners guide will tell you everything you need to know to prevent that!

Fur

Dogs with fur are easily identified by the double layer of their coat. The top layer is what gives the dog its color. In comparison, the undercoat creates an air pocket around the skin that regulates body temperature.

Common fur breeds are Huskies, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds.

Fur should never be cut. Instead, these dogs will maintain the same length by shedding their fur throughout the year.

What Does Grooming Entail?

There are lots of different elements that go into the care of your dog. And this article on dog grooming for beginners explains them all.

Brush

You should always begin your dog’s grooming with a good brush. Especially if you plan to give them a bath.

Once wet, the hair will stick together, and the dirt will clump and glue to the strands. When you dry brush them, the dirt comes loose easily. A simple rub of your hand afterward will have it fall to the floor.

The brush you use will also make a big difference here.

For dogs with short coats that frequently shed, like terriers and pugs, a bristle brush removes all that loose fur. Whereas long-haired dogs need a rake designed to penetrate through the layers of hair to detangle mats and bring loose any dry skin.

Then there are slicker brushes with fine, short wires that are great for dogs with medium-length and curly hair.

Lastly, a general dog grooming for beginners essential is a flea comb. Hopefully, you won’t have to use it. But it’s something that you should always have, just in case.

Bath

Once the initial brush is done, the next step in this guide to dog grooming for beginners is a bath.

Each bath should include two proper scrub-downs with dog shampoo. The first lather will bind all the dirt you missed while brushing and removing it. While the second lather will treat the newly cleaned skin.

After all the shampoo has been fully washed out, massage a dog conditioner into the coat to help soften it and protect its natural oils.

When choosing your product, look for something that includes oatmeal or aloe. The oatmeal is good for your dog’s coat and will make it much shinier. And the aloe is fantastic on their skin.

There are also shampoos and conditioners that you can buy to treat specific problems. If your pet suffers from dry skin or seems to be having some allergic reaction to their skin, try this shampoo.

Brush Again

If you plan on giving your dog a haircut, this dog grooming for beginner’s guide recommends another brush down after they've dried off.

The scrubbing process in the shower will have created more tangles. For an even trim, you’ll want to remove them. This final brush will also smooth the hair and make it much easier to cut.

The best method for a nice fluffy coat is to brush them while you blow dry them. But some dogs don’t love the sound of the dryer. And others just love the feel of a nice rub down from a towel.

Haircut

Unless you’ve attended a training session with a professional, it’s not recommended that you attempt cutting them yourself. Dogs will not hold steady for long, and any sharp objects around them can be dangerous.

If you are ready to try it for yourself, here are some tips and tricks on dog grooming for beginners!

Without the ceiling-mounted harness that professionals use, the next best solution is a lick mat. Attached to the wall of your bath or shower, it will completely occupy your dog’s mind while you get to business.

When buying your electric shaver, make sure it comes with multiple protective dog attachments. It will take time to find the right length, so it’s always better to have options.

There are some areas where scissors are easier to use. A dog’s face, paws, legs, ears, hygienic areas, and tail need something that offers a bit more dexterity.

Nails

Nails are one of the hardest parts of dog grooming for beginners. And training is even more important for it.

Inside every dog’s nail is something called a quick. It’s a soft piece of tissue that contains the nerves and blood vessels that run through your dog’s nails. If cut, it is very painful, and the wound will bleed.

Dogs that are born with light-colored nails have visible quicks. All you need to do is find the pink region in the center of the nail and cut a few millimeters before it begins with your dog nail clippers.

If your dog has black nails, shining a light into the nail can sometimes show you the quick. And a groove on the underside of the nail can also be a good indicator of where the quick is. But the best procedure is to cut little bits off at a time.

Ears

This dog grooming for beginners guide breaks down ear cleaning into two parts.

First is a simple wipe of the ear with a warm, damp towel. This will help maintain your pet’s cleanliness and is a good way to ensure you’re constantly checking for infections.

The second part requires a specific ear-cleaning solution for dogs. And is best done before the bathing step of the grooming process.

To apply, fill your dog’s ear canal with the solution and rub gentle circles at the base of their ear for 30 seconds. Once you hear a soft squishing sound, let your dog shake their head to get rid of the solution and everything it has dislodged.

Then gently wipe out the ear canal with a cotton ball or gauze. Making sure never to go deeper than your first knuckle.

Teeth

Every dog grooming for beginners guide will tell you the importance of brushing your dog’s teeth. Since their teeth can deteriorate just as quickly as ours.

With a dog-specific toothpaste and toothbrush, clean the outside face of your dog’s teeth with a downward motion. You should spend about 30 seconds on each side to remove all the plaque.

Trimming

Trim the most important areas every week to make your dog’s haircut last as long as possible. When the face, ears, hygienic areas, and paw pads are kept short, the longer hair on the body and legs won’t matter as much.

How Often is Grooming Needed?

Below, this dog grooming for beginner’s guide breaks down the timelines for each part of the grooming process.

Brushing

Brushing is easier the more often you do it. No matter the length of your dog’s hair or breed, brushing your dog every three days is best. That way, it won’t take longer than a few minutes.

If they have fur, the spring and fall usually cause them to shed even more. Changing your routine to include a daily brush with a de-shedding tool for a few weeks is worth it.

Bathing

A bath isn’t needed as frequently as brushing. In fact, bathing too often can get rid of the natural oils that protect their skin.

Unless your dog has gotten into mud or something else that requires a bath, medium to long-haired dogs should be bathed every four to six weeks, and short-haired dogs every one to three months.

Haircut

The frequency of your haircuts depends on how short you tend to cut your dog’s hair.

For a coat that is kept around an inch long, you’ll only need to cut it every two to three months. Hair kept longer than that will need cuts every four to six weeks.

Nails

A dog’s nails need to be clipped at least once every four weeks.

When they get too long, they are easily caught on things, which can lead to painful ripping of your dog’s paws.

Ears

An easy dog grooming for beginners tip is to wipe your dog’s ears weekly. That way, the more thorough inner-ear cleaning can be done once a month.

Teeth

Like humans, a dog’s teeth should be brushed twice daily. And a professional cleaning should be scheduled every year.

If you can only manage to do it three times a week, you should schedule a professional cleaning once every six months.

Things That Should Be Done By Professionals

No matter how intensive this dog grooming for beginners guide is, there will always be things better left to the professionals.

Ticks

When removing ticks, getting the head buried under the skin is very hard. There are special tools that you can buy to remove them, but it’s still challenging.

If left under the skin, the risk of Lyme disease is much greater. And there are other bacteria that ticks tend to carry on their head that you don’t want to be trapped under the skin.

Anal Glands

On either side of your dog’s anus, there are anal glands that can be impacted by a pressure build-up. This is not a dog grooming for beginners type of job.

But it will feel very uncomfortable for your pet. They will start to scooch their butt on the floor. Or lick and scratch at their butt more than usual.

If you see these signs, take your dog to the vet, where they can treat them properly.

What Not To Do

Here are dog grooming for beginners tips to keep your dog safe and healthy!

Use the Wrong Products

Human products can be extremely harmful to dogs and pets in general. Most human toothpastes contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. And human bathing products use harsher shops that are bad for their skin.

So always use dog-specific products!

Ignore Your Dog’s Temperature

Extreme changes to your dog’s temperature can cause its body to shock. Make sure that the water you use while bathing is a nice warm 98º to 104º Fahrenheit.

Shave Completely

Even in the summer, no good dog grooming for beginners guide will recommend you cut your dog’s coat shorter than an inch. Their skin can get sunburned, and they need their hair to protect them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calm my dog down?

The best way to ensure your dog is calm during grooming is to start them off young and let them inspect your tools before using them. Once your dog is familiar with every aspect of the process, they may even come to anticipate it.

Where is the best place to groom my dog?

A standing shower will give you more room to move around your dog and get into those hard-to-reach places. But a bath will do a better job of keeping your dog in place.

When it’s warm in the summer, you can groom your dog outside. But you’ll want to keep them on a leash and maybe even put up a pen or fence.

Wrapping Up Dog Grooming for Beginners

Every first-time pet owner needs a little help. And this dog grooming for beginner’s guide gives you everything you need to keep your dog clean and healthy!

If you're looking for the best dog products, check out Chewy for everything you need, and visit All Paws for more recommendations.

Taking your pup to the groomer can be hard to fit into your schedule and budget. Many dogs get stressed in these environments as well. So it might be a better option to invest in dog grooming tools for at-home grooming!

Getting your dog back to smelling and looking great doesn’t need to be challenging or annoying. Keep reading to learn about the must-have dog grooming tools you should have at home!

1. Shower Head Attachment

   

When you get your dog groomed, they typically have a bathing stall or tub that’s specifically for dogs. But you don’t need this fancy bathing station to get the job done.

You can turn your tub or sink into a bathing station with an easy-to-use shower head attachment! Most dog shower attachments are also compatible with hoses if you’d rather wash your dog outside.

Many people typically opt for buckets to dump water onto their dogs for at-home bathing. But, this method can take forever and might even scare your dog more. Using a sprayer attachment works wonders at washing off all the shampoo and thoroughly wetting your dog’s fur.

Your dog should also be calmer since these dog grooming tools are gentle and generally quiet.

2. Grooming Clippers/Scissors

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Grooming clippers or grooming scissors are helpful dog grooming tools in keeping your dog’s coat free of any matting. They’re notably handy for long-haired breeds and curly-haired breeds. Without using these two products, the dog’s fur can get knotted and filled with all kinds of gross debris.

Long hair can also cause vision issues, as it blocks your pup’s eyes. Your dog’s tears will also cause the hair to knot and mat near their eyes, creating dirty, itchy buildup. Clippers and scissors will help cut down your dog’s coat before it can reach this nasty stage. You’ll need to ensure you keep up with it as their coat grows.

These two dog grooming tools are also great for sanitary shaves or trims. This type of shaving will prevent any urine or feces from getting lodged in your dog’s fur.

3. Slicker Brush

A slicker brush is an essential dog grooming tool for medium and long-haired dogs. It’s especially great at detangling curly-haired breeds.

This type of brush has long, wire bristles that will get deep into your dog’s undercoat. It should be your first line of action when you see matted areas before you head to the clippers.

Since the wire bristles on these brushes are rather long, they can get into the undercoat. By gently brushing through your dog’s fur, it’ll get any loose hairs out which will make their coat less dense. On top of that, you can expect to get any trapped debris out of their coat.

This is a good dog grooming tool to use after baths and for general maintenance between baths. If you have Pyrenean Mastiff dog, three highly recommended brushes are the Andis Large Firm Slicker Brush, the JW Pet Company GripSoft Double Row Undercoat Rake, and a standard bristle brush for the finishing touches.

4. Nail Grinder or Nail Clippers

   

Dog grooming isn’t solely about your dog’s fur coat! Their nails need to get cut down as well to prevent future injuries. Dog owners usually take their furry friends to the vet or a groomer for nail trimmings. But, many dogs dislike it and get very nervous during the nail-cutting process.

So, picking up a nail grinder or some nail clippers to do this at home might be best! Remember that the dog grooming tool you should pick depends on your dog’s tolerance.

Nail grinders are similar to nail files in the fact that they use a sandpaper-like piece to file down nails. But it typically uses batteries or electricity to rotate the grinding piece instead of physically moving it back and forth. Think of it as a miniature sander.

A nail grinder is a great dog grooming tool for minimizing sharp edges and giving nails a dull feel. However, due to its mechanical abilities, it does create a sound that can be off-putting for some dogs. So, if your dog gets spooked by noises, this might not be a good choice.

Your other option would be a good pair of dog nail clippers, which might be more tolerable for skittish dogs. However, you have to be a little more careful with clippers, as you don’t want to cut your dog’s quicks. These little pockets of blood vessels and nerves can be very painful if you cut them open.

You can usually see the quicks shine through your dog’s nails naturally or with a flashlight. So, don’t clip those areas. The best way to clip a dog’s nails is a little at a time and at a diagonal angle. And if you do hit the quick by accident, a styptic powder or simple corn starch can stop the bleeding!

5. A Soothing Shampoo

   

Grooming is never complete without a good bath! A soothing dog shampoo will do just the trick at scrubbing the dirt away and keeping your dog’s skin moisturized.

Dog shampoos help give your pet’s fur a beautiful shine and silky smooth softness. And they’ll of course smell much better than they did before their bath.

Oatmeal-based shampoos are a great dog grooming tool for dogs with sensitive skin or dandruff. They aren’t harsh and will replenish any lost moisture. But you can use any dog shampoo you’d like if your dog isn’t sensitive.

6. Bath Brush

Sometimes your hands don’t do a good enough job of getting deep into your dog’s fur. When grooming at home, you want to ensure you’re getting every piece of dirt and debris out. Scrubbing out any built-up oils is essential as well. And a bath brush can aid in doing this!

Silicone bath brushes have short, rubber bristles that lift dirt and loose hairs from your furry friend’s coat. They’re excellent dog grooming tools to make bath time faster, and your dog will think he’s just getting a massage!

It’s perfect for shedding dogs, especially in the springtime when they’re getting rid of their winter coat. No more clumps of hair rolling around on your floors like tumbleweeds! Or there will be fewer of them, especially if you groom every month.

7. Grooming Glove

Grooming gloves are another helpful dog grooming tool for maintenance in between baths. They’re similar to bath brushes in the sense that they’re silicon with bristles. They’re similar to bath brushes but work best when your dog’s fur is dry.

Instead of scrubbing, use simple petting motions to loosen your dog’s fur, pulling up any dead hairs. The glove also covers a larger surface area, allowing more hair to get pulled up with each swipe. All the hair will typically clump up on the glove like a matted fur ball.

Peel it off and keep brushing until the amount of fur on the glove decreases. This dog grooming tool works best with long-haired dogs since their coat is more likely to get matted. But short-haired dogs can benefit from it too, as it’ll loosen their undercoats.

These gloves won’t hurt your dog, and they’ll merely think they’re getting some loving pets from you!

8. Microfiber Dog Towel

   

Unless you don’t mind letting your dog run around dripping water everywhere, you’ll need a microfiber dog towel! This dog grooming tool has plenty of soft fibers that will soak up the water from bath time. Dog-specific towels usually have little pockets for your hands, making the drying process much easier with squirmy pups.

Microfiber towels have thinner fibers than your typical bath towel, so there are much more of them. More tightly knit fibers mean a larger absorbent surface area.

Microfiber material also dries much faster than other fabrics, so the towel won’t stay sopping wet for long. They can be a great addition to dog beach trips besides solely being a helpful dog grooming tool!

9. Pet Toothbrush and Toothpaste

   

Most people don’t consider brushing their dog’s teeth as part of the grooming process. But, it is essential in keeping up with their hygiene. Groomers usually count this in their services when you drop your dog off. To do it at home, a simple pet toothbrush and toothpaste kit will do the trick!

Oral hygiene for dogs is just as important as it is for humans. Without any intervention, your dog will most likely get a bad case of periodontal disease. This can lead to infections in their mouths and even tooth decay and loss. Don’t forget about the high vet bills to fix these problems!

About 80% of dogs over three years old have periodontal disease! It is inevitable for most breeds, as you can’t scrub away every bit of bacteria.

Preventative care like brushing their teeth can lessen plaque and bacteria and slow the progression of the disease. So, a simple toothbrush and toothpaste are some dog grooming tools that can do wonders for your pet’s health!

10. Pet Ear Cleanser With Nozzle

Thoroughly cleaning your furry friend’s ears should also be on your grooming list to help prevent future infections. Pet ear cleansers with nozzles can help you with this task.

Your dog will always have bacteria and debris in their ears because they’re constantly bouncing around and going outside. Sometimes they can shake debris out, but bacteria will remain until you clean it out.

After washing your dog, it’s also possible that water got into their ears. If that water stays trapped, it provides an inviting environment for bacteria to grow.

A quick squeeze of some ear-cleaning solution in your dog's ears can easily wash all that nasty stuff out. It’s the perfect dog grooming tool to keep their ears squeaky clean and works as preventative care for ear infections.

Most of these solutions have a drying effect too. So, they can help dry out any water inside your pup's ears after bathing.

Why You Need Pet-Specific Tools and Products

You should never use human products on dogs. Animals have their own microbiome that can get disrupted if we use human products on them. Our products also contain ingredients that might be okay for us but can be toxic to our pets.

Things like human shampoo can strip your dog’s coat of its protective oils, leaving him prone to infections. Ingesting human toothpaste can make your dog sick, especially if it contains xylitol (a sugar substitute that’s toxic to dogs).

Dog grooming tools are also better to use on your dog than human ones because they tend to be gentler. Pet-specific tools and products make grooming faster and easier, providing an overall calmer experience.

Start Grooming With Ease

Grooming is essential to your fur baby’s health, but you don’t always need to take them to a groomer. At-home grooming can help you save some money and keep your dog stress-free in its home environment.

Luckily, you can do this task yourself by simply purchasing some must-have dog grooming tools! A clean dog is a happy dog.

Want to know more about grooming your canine companion? Check out our Dog Grooming post for useful tips and tricks!

If you’ve recently decided to start grooming your pup at home to save money or because trips to the groomer turn into an anxious mess, you’re in the right place.

Your dog is happiest and most relaxed with you, so who better to groom them? You’ll both enjoy the bonding experience and reap the benefits of regular home dog grooming.

Keep reading to learn the benefits of grooming your dog at home, how to understand your dog’s coat, and nine essential dog grooming tips for keeping it soft, clean, and healthy!

Benefits of Grooming Your Dog at Home

Grooming your dog at home is essential to keeping your dog healthy and happy, even if you plan to take them to a professional groomer eventually.

Saves Money

Grooming between appointments can save you money at the groomer and make the most of a professional trim. Your dog’s professional style will last longer if you touch it up occasionally, and your pup will stay cool in the heat.

Detect Health Issues

Grooming your dog frequently at home will help you to detect any changes in your dog’s fur or coat. Bring up any new lumps or bumps you uncover with your veterinarian to prevent a potentially serious health condition from spreading.

You can also catch fleas early before your house becomes infested with them and catch ticks that may cause Lyme disease.

Ear Infection Reduction

Cleaning your dog’s ears regularly is important to prevent ear infections caused by the buildup of gunk and grime that happens in the ear area.

Posture Benefits

Your dog will feel better and be more confident after grooming, which will improve posture, but did you know that long nails are uncomfortable for your dog to walk on? This can create bone issues like arthritis if ignored.

Less Shedding

If you have a dog that sheds like crazy, brushing them frequently is the best dog grooming tip to limit the shed. Grooming may not eliminate shedding, but it will drastically reduce the amount of pet hair you find on your furniture and carpet.

Strengthen Relationship

Grooming your dog at home often strengthens the bond between you and your dog. Your dog may initially be nervous, but they will learn to trust you with frequent grooming.

9 Essential Dog Grooming Tips

1. Understand Your Dog’s Coat

Many different types of dog coats can be three different lengths: long, medium, and short. For example, Bull Arab dogs have a short, dense, and weather-resistant coat that needs minimal grooming. The Mastador has a short, shiny double coat that is both attractive and relatively low-maintenance compared to longer-haired breeds. The Transylvanian Hound also has a relatively low-maintenance coat. Each coat will need to be groomed according to its type, so the first dog grooming tip is to figure out what type of coat your pup has.

Single or Double

Dogs of any coat length may have a double or single coat. A double coat means the dog has a shower undercoat than the out coat, and these dogs usually have soft, wooly fur. Single-coated dogs only have one layer of fur.

Double-coated dogs shed more than single-coated dogs and will need more frequent grooming. They typically shed their overcoat twice a year, meaning they shed their entire coat in response to the seasons changing. For example, the Norwegian Lundehund has a dense, double-layered coat that is slightly thicker around the neck and thighs, offering protection against harsh weather conditions. The Polish Lowland Sheepdog also has a thick, shaggy double coat.

Popular double-coated breeds include Collies, German Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, and Corgis.

Curly

Curly-haired dogs benefit from daily brushing to keep the knots at bay. You will need a slicker brush for brushing a curly dog’s hair. A dog grooming tip for curly-haired dogs is to use a curly coat shampoo when bathing your dog.

Curly dog breeds include Poodle, Labradoodles, and Bichon Frises.

Silky

Silky coats are soft and the closest dog fur to human hair. While you don’t need to bathe them more than other dogs, they need regular brushing to prevent knots and maintain their softness.

These dogs are normally single-coated and are easiest to brush with a pin brush. Breeds with silky coats include Cocker Spaniels, Irish Setters, Silky Terriers, and Yorkshire Terriers.

Wire

Wire coats can be smooth or rough-coated. Allowing the coat to grow will turn the fur wavy and textured. These dogs need to be hand-stripped, meaning you must pluck out pieces of their dead fur with your fingers or a blunt stripping knife.

A professional dog grooming tip is to strip your dog when dirty so you can grip the hair easier, though groomers are divided on whether you should bathe immediately after stripping or wait. Do what is best for your dog, or ask a trusted local groomer.

Dogs with wired coats include Terriers, Dachshunds, and Schnauzers.

Hairless

You may not think you need to groom a hairless dog, but it’s quite the opposite. Hairless dogs need to be bathed more often! A professional dog grooming tip is to them once a week to keep their skin healthy.

Oatmeal-based cleansers are the best products for hairless dogs. Bathing them regularly also helps rid their skin of blackheads, which they are prone to getting.

Hairless dogs can also get sunburns, so you must apply a pet-safe sunscreen to protect them when they are outside.

Dogs that are considered hairless are American Hairless Terriers, the Peruvian Inca Orchids, Hairless Chihuahuas, and Chinese Cresteds.

2. Brush Your Dog Regularly

Note: Most hairless dogs do not need to be brushed except for the Chinese Crested.

Once you’ve identified the best dog brush for your pet’s coat, the most important dog grooming tip is to brush them regularly, ideally daily, regardless of the dog’s coat. Make a routine while relaxing on the couch watching your favorite show to brush your pup’s fur.

Before you start your brushing routine, quickly examine your pet’s coat to check for any cuts or abrasions that could hurt your dog when brushing over them.

Use soft pressure and brush toward the dog’s hair growth. Gently brush out any mats and knots. After brushing, a shedding blade can help grab dead hairs, reducing shedding and mats.

3. Order a Dog Grooming Kit

Rather than buying everything separately, one smart dog grooming tip is to buy a dog grooming kit. This can help save you time and money.

This kit has everything you need for trimming all coat types, and it comes with an electric clipper to trim the hair around the paws, rump, face, ears, beard, and mustache, as well as thick coats.

4. Trim Nails Every Few Weeks

You can tell if your dog’s nails need trimming when their nails start to touch the ground when they walk, which usually falls around every three to four weeks.

Walking on nails is uncomfortable for dogs, and your pup will thank you for trimming them as soon as you notice their nails touching the floor.

Buy a sturdy pair of nail clippers with a safety stop and non-slip grip to prevent injuring your dog when clipping. You will need clippers designed for thicker nails if you have a larger dog. A dog nail grinder is also a safe, effective way to trim your dog’s nails.

Clippers are cheaper, though grinders are recommended for black dogs whose nails are difficult to see or long-haired dogs whose fur often is entangled in their nails.

Pro dog grooming tip: If you are new to trimming your dog’s nails or haven’t trimmed them in a while, having a second person to help keep your dog still can make the process smoother and help prevent injury.

5. Trimming Fur Regularly to Maintain the Coat

Hair over the nose, around the paws, and the beard need to be trimmed the most frequently. Regular small trims can help maintain your dog’s coat and prevent the need for lengthy full grooming sessions.

6. Avoid Cutting Dirty or Matted Fur

Never cutting dirty or matted fur is an imperative dog grooming tip. If you notice a mat that cannot be brushed, visit a professional. Very bad mats will need to be shaved.

7. Bathe with a Dog-Formulated Shampoo

Choose a dog-formulated shampoo perfect for your dog’s coat, and needs is a dog grooming tip that will prevent skin irritation and keep your pet healthy.

Recommendations:

Shampoo for White Dogs

Shampoo for Dogs with Sensitive Skin

Shampoo for Dogs with Anxiety

8. Ear Cleaner

A non-irritation solution during routine ear cleaning is a dog grooming tip to prevent excessive ear wax buildup. If your dog has known ear issues, it’s best to speak to a veterinarian about the best ear cleaner for your dog.

Recommendations:

Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner for Dogs & Cats

Vet Organics EcoEar Cleaner

9. Brush Your Dog’s Teeth

Brushing your dog’s teeth might sound like a hassle, but brushing your pup’s teeth every day (just like a human’s) is a dog grooming tip to elongate the life of your pup’s teeth and save you thousands on your pet’s dental care in the long run.

A professional dog grooming tip is to brush your dog’s teeth in a downward motion. You only need to brush the outward surface of their teeth, so don’t worry about brushing the backs.

Never use human toothpaste or baking soda on your dog’s teeth, which pose serious hazards to your dog’s health. Use pet-formulated toothpaste like Vet’s Best Dog Toothpaste and Enzymatic Toothpaste Set.

Wrapping up 9 Essential Dog Grooming Tips

With these nine dog grooming trips, your dog will live a happier, healthier life.

Are you searching for other ways to keep your dog healthy and happy? Check out the Best Dog Exercise Equipment for your furry friend.

A true red carpet dog, the morkie and its long, silky coat can really wow onlookers. But a coat that fancy means some daily and weekly maintenance is required. Read on for the complete scoop on keeping your morkie shiny, clean, and tangle-free along with the best practices on how to groom a morkie.

Daily Brushing

Morkie Coat Type

Both Maltese dogs and Yorkshire terriers have long, silky coats. They shed very little as their hair grows continuously. It gets longer and longer instead of falling out and being replaced by new hair. So in this case, brushing is important for keeping the long hairs from tangling and becoming matted, rather than for catching fur before it can fall onto the sofa and clothing as is the case with short-hair dogs.

Mats and Tangles

If your morkie's hair ever does get too tangled to tame or even matted, it will need to be cut with scissors or shaved with clippers. Because morkies have thin, somewhat fragile skin, it may be best to entrust this task to a professional dog groomer to avoid accidentally cutting your morkie's skin.

Gentle Grooming and Rewards

Morkies may grow uncomfortable with brushing time if they ever associate it with pain or other unpleasant experiences, so take your time and be gentle with your dog while you brush its coat out. Avoid dog brushes with sharp wires for bristles as those can be painful and may discourage your morkie from tolerating brushing. A brush like this is a good choice for morkies.

It's also a good idea to keep some tiny training treats on hand to frequently distract your morkie during the brushing. Reward your dog whenever it sits still and accepts brushing for several seconds at a time and gradually lengthen the amount of time between treats until your dog only needs a couple to get through a brushing.

Maintenance Reminders

While daily brushing will help keep tangles and mats away, it may be challenging to remember to get that brushing session in every single day. Setting an alarm or reminder on your phone could help you remember. Or, with regular coat trimming, you could get away with fewer brushing.

Doggie Hair Do

Regular coat trimming is very helpful to prevent mats while also reducing the need for daily brushing. To keep the hair longer--which is more maintenance but maybe more aesthetically pleasing--you'll need to trim with scissors. To keep the hair shorter--which is lower maintenance by may be less appealing to the eye--you can use electric clippers (such as for shaving mens' beards).

Grooming with Scissors

When trimming with scissors, always use a comb as a barrier between the dog's skin and your scissors. Thin morkie skin has a lot of elasticity to it and may pull with the hair more than you would think. So it's always a good idea to protect the skin with a comb and prevent accidental scissor injuries.

Start with the front, trimming the hair around the face. Be careful not to nick the ears or cut the whiskers. Then work your way back over the neck, back, and rump. Then go over the feathering on the tail and legs.

Lastly, hold your morkie up slightly from the front so you have better access to the belly hair. It may be helpful to have an assistant do this for you so you can focus wholly on the grooming. Then trim the hair so that it is too short to touch the floor. Hair that drags on the floor will get dirty quickly and is more likely to get matted.

Grooming with Clippers

To shave with clippers, skip the face and start with the neck, back, and rump. Then the tail, legs, and belly. The face will still need to be trimmed with scissors, as a shaved face is not ideal. Trim the hair on the face with care to avoid nicking the ears and whiskers.

In some cases, shaving under the eyes can help with under-eye staining, but because of the risk of painful, permanent damage to the eyes if the clippers slip or the dog turns its head suddenly, it is best to leave that job to a professional groomer.

Daily Under Eye Cleaning

Under-eye staining can be a result of a variety of health problems, so it is best to consult a veterinarian to find out if there are any underlying health problems that need to be addressed.

To prevent under-eye staining, use a gentle eye cleanser such as Nutrivet Eye Rinse to discourage bacteria and irritants in and around the eyes once a day. If you find similar staining around the paws or around the muzzle, it could be due to those areas being too wet too often. Consider replacing your water bowl with a water bottle for rabbits and see if the reduced water bowl mess helps with the staining in those areas. You can also try applying the eye rinse to the feet and muzzle to reduce the staining.

Weekly Ear Cleaning

long ear hair can increase the chances of ear irritants, especially if your morkie has floppy ears rather than upright ears. Floppy ears are adorable but harder for a dog to scratch and clean on its own. So trim that hair down as much as you safely can while you're grooming.

Dogs have an L-shaped ear canal, so it's basically impossible to accidentally touch or harm their eardrum while cleaning with a cotton-tipped applicator (Q-tip). However, the skin inside their ears is very sensitive and prone to bleeding, so if you can leave the ear cleaning to your vet, that is ideal.

If you notice a bad smell coming from the ear, or a lot of redness to the skin even before you've started grooming the area, there could be an infection or even ear mites in that ear. Those are illnesses that only a vet can diagnose, and they will need medication from a vet to heal. So please seek veterinary care for your morkie if you notice these symptoms.

Bathing

It's best to avoid over-bathing, as too much bathing can dry out your morkie's skin. Bathing no more than once every ten days is best. Dogs frequently lick themselves clean, so unless you notice your morkie's coat looking dirty or smelling stinky, it probably doesn't need a bath.

When you bathe your morkie, oatmeal-based shampoo is a great choice. If you opt to keep your morkies long coat, a dog hair conditioner might help you keep it silky and tangle-free.

Skin Health

Skin irritation in dogs can indicate allergies to food, shampoo products, external parasites, and a variety of other things. It can also signal invisible health problems, which only a veterinarian is able to diagnose. As long as you aren't bathing your morkie more than once every ten days, skin problems shouldn't arise. If you notice skin problems, consult your veterinarian.

Nail Trimming

Nail trimming is important to master when learning how to groom a morkie. All dogs have a blood supply to each of their nails. This blood supply is called the "quick." Cutting the nail too high up will cut the quick also, which is painful and will result in bleeding from the nail. The pain will also scare the dog and make it less interested in cooperating for future nail trims. So it's best to avoid the quick if at all possible.

If your dog has white nails, the quick is easy to see as a skinny red triangle with the point pointing toward the tip of the nail. Be sure to cut below the quick. If your dog has black nails, it's difficult to see the quick. You can try holding a flashlight to the other side of the nail to make the quick visible. If that doesn't work for your morkie, you'll need to do smaller, more frequent trims of just the very tip of the nail.

Teeth Cleaning

Most dogs don't tolerate at-home teeth cleaning. If your dog's tooth health is good and you don't notice any odors in its breath, then you don't need to brush its teeth. If you do notice discoloration on the teeth or gums or a bad smell coming from your dog's mouth, there is likely an underlying health concern that a vet should address. Vets are able to do thorough teeth cleanings under sedation if needed, which will do a much better job than a toothbrush could and will be less stressful on your morkie.

Learning How to Groom a Morkie is a Rewarding Process

Grooming your morkie can be a calm, rewarding process for you and your pup. Remember to be patient with your morkie during the grooming process and to reward it frequently so that it associates grooming with treats and praise. With practice, patience, and a little time, you can handle all of your morkie dog's grooming needs.

If you have any tips and suggestions on how to groom a morkie, please share your suggestions in our comment section.