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

With in-person dog grooming appointments off the table for a while due to social distancing, pet parents who previously relied on professionals to keep their pups looking sharp are having to make other plans. Yes, at-home grooming is a hassle (at best), for even the most patient dog owner. But regular grooming is key if you want to avoid unpleasant smells or having someone mistake your beloved pet for a feral dog.

Bathing at Home

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

When necessary, use a mild shampoo formulated for dogs. Stand the dog in a tub or basin, and put cotton balls in their ears and a couple of drops of mineral oil in their eyes. Wet the dog with warm water and apply shampoo from the neck and back. After lathering and scrubbing, rinse your dog thoroughly with warm water. Rub vigorously with a towel (they'll help you with vigorous shaking!), and then blow dry if necessary. Comb or brush as required.

Brushing at Home

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

The kind of equipment you need depends on your dog's coat texture and length. Longhaired dogs need pin brushes, which have long, round-ended stainless-steel or chrome-plated pins. Short, medium, and some long-coated breeds need bristle brushes. There are also slicker brushes for removing mats and dead hair; rubber curry combs to polish smooth coats and remove dead hair; clippers, stripping knives, rakes, hairdryers, and other grooming tools.

Nail Trimming at Home

Nails must be kept short for the feet to remain healthy. Long nails interfere with the dog's gait, making walking awkward or painful. They can also break easily. This usually happens at the base of the nail, where blood vessels and nerves are located, and precipitates a trip to the veterinarian. If you can hear the nails clicking on the floor, they're too long.

To trim your dog's nails, use a specially designed clipper. Most have safety guards to prevent you from cutting your nails too short. You want to trim only the ends, before the “quick” 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.

Tooth Brushing at Home

Clean your dog's teeth frequently with special toothbrushes and toothpaste designed for dogs. If your dog balks at having their teeth brushed, get him used to it by rubbing their teeth and gums with your finger. Then put a little of the toothpaste on your finger and let them sniff and lick it; do the same with the toothbrush. Make sure to provide chew toys 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.

Ear Cleaning at Home

You should clean your dog's ears once a month, more if they're prone to ear problems. Clean the outer part of the ear only, using a damp cloth or a cotton swab 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.

Dog Grooming at Home Tips

·  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 Kwik Stop, teeth-cleaning tools, brushes, wide and fine-tooth combs, shampoos, and even blow dryers if needed. They can also help you learn about proper tables used for grooming and even a grooming arm that will hold your pup in place.

Use a damp towel to wipe any dirt, mud, sand, pine needles, or other outdoor debris from your dog's coat as needed.

During your grooming session, check your dog daily for ticks, or more than once per day during tick season. Ask your veterinarian to train you on the safest method for tick removal. There are tools available for purchase that can help make removal easier. Your groomer may also be able to help you. The more quickly a tick is removed from a dog, the better.

Keep your dog's nails trimmed. Your vet and/or groomer can show you how to safely trim nails. If you do not feel comfortable doing it on your own, it is usually a quick and inexpensive trip to a groomer or your veterinarian's office. Some dog owners find rotary trimmers a safe alternative to clippers, but it takes more time, and your dog will likely require training to tolerate this method.

Is your dog a breed that has hair covering their eyes? If so, clean with a damp cloth and keep the hair trimmed. Make sure the cut doesn't cause hair to fall into your dog’s eyes and irritate them.

Always use veterinarian-approved hygiene products on your dog.

What Not to Do

Do not use "human" beauty and hygiene products such as shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste on your dog. Many human toothpastes contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.

Do not try to clip or shave your dog's hair by yourself without proper training. Grooming professionals have the tools and knowledge to safely groom sensitive areas. In addition, they know the grooming needs of your breed.

Do not spray your dog with non-veterinarian-approved scents such as perfume. Dogs are far more sensitive to fragrance than humans, and many products contain dangerous ingredients. Fragrances can result in respiratory problems for sensitive dogs.

In cool or cold temperatures, do not bathe your dog outdoors, as it can result in dangerous drops in your dog's body temperature.

Avoid clipping your dog's nails unless you've been taught the proper technique, feel comfortable doing so, and have proper dog nail clippers or a rotary trimmer and products to stop bleeding should it occur. Clipping too short can cause extreme pain and bleeding.