Home Dog Grooming Made Easy: Expert Tips for a Healthy, Happy Pet

Grooming your pet and knowing what goes into it is necessary when doing it yourself. In this guide, we’ll equip you with the tips and tricks to ease the grooming process.

• Nail Trimming
• Brushing
• Teeth Brushing
• Bathing
• Ear Cleaning
• Eye Cleaning
• Paw Cleaning
• Hair Trimming
• Training Your Dog to Enjoy Grooming

Nail Trimming

Recommended frequency: every 1 – 2 months

A good indication is when your dog’s nails make a clicking sound when he’s walking.

Why Do You Need to Trim Your Dog’s Nails?

Comfort when walking or running

When his nails get too long, it’s likely that he’ll change his walking style to adapt to the pain. This may cause joint pain, joint misalignment or arthritis in the long run.

How to Trim Your Dog’s Nails

1. Choose a well-lit spot to trim your dog’s nails.

2. Position him comfortably such that his paw is facing upwards.
3. Hold his foot firmly but gently and ensure that he’s calm.

4. Using a nail clipper for dogs, start by snipping bit by bit.
5. Refrain from cutting too deep to prevent any bleeding.

For dogs with white nails, look out for a black dot – that’s when you’re getting close to the quick and should stop cutting.

Brushing

Recommended frequency: 1 – 2 times a week

Why Do You Need to Brush Your Dog’s Fur?

Maintain their coat health and shine by spreading the natural oils
Reduce shedding
Prevent skin wounds or infections by getting rid of mats
Early detection of fleas and ticks

Which Brush Should You Use?

Getting the right dog brush will make the grooming process more comfortable and effective.

Here’s what to get based on your pet’s coat length or type:

Coat Length/Type	Best Brush
Very Short e.g. Boston Terrier, Great Dane	Rubber Brush (Kudi Pet)
Short e.g. Labrador, Pug	Slicker Brush (Biogance)
Short & Thick e.g. Husky, German Shepherd	Rake Comb (Tommy&Coco)
Medium e.g. Golden Retriever, Border Collie	Bristle Brush (Biogance)
Straight & Silky e.g. Maltese, Shih Tzu	Slicker Brush (Kudi Pet)
Curly e.g. Poodle, Bichon Frise	Pin Massage Brush (Biogance)
Wiry e.g. Terriers, Schnauzer	Comb With Metal Teeth (Wild)
Double-coated e.g. Shetland Sheepdog, Shiba Inu	Pin & Bristle Brush (Tommy&Coco)

Note: most dogs usually require more than one type of brush.

If you’re looking for another brush, Foolee’s de-shedding tools are suitable for all dogs.

• Foolee De-shedding Tool
• Foolee Easee Brush Head + Folee Easee Shedding Tool (brush head is interchangeable)

Teeth Brushing

Recommended frequency: 2 – 3 times a week

Why Do You Need to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth?

Eliminate bad breath
Remove tartar and plaque
Prevent gum disease and damage to internal organs

How to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth

• Ensure that you have the right dental care products, including dog toothpaste and toothbrush.

It’s crucial to use only toothpaste and toothbrushes made specifically for dogs.

Finger brushes may be used for smaller dogs, whereas those with longer handles are more suited for larger dogs. Dog toothpaste will also come in edible flavours, as dogs are not taught to spit toothpaste out.

• Get in a comfortable position where you can brush your dog’s teeth easily.
• Prep him for the brushing.

Test if your dog is willing to get his teeth brushed. Try rubbing your finger against his teeth and gums gently and let him taste the toothpaste.

This is for him to get accustomed to the procedure.

• Test out the toothbrush and start slow.

Lift his upper lip and start brushing with toothpaste gently.

• Brush in a circular motion.

Check for any bleeding when brushing. Light, occasional bleeding is fine, but if it gets heavy and excessive, it’s time to consult your vet.

• Create a calming and encouraging environment.

Your dog can sense your feelings, so if you remain composed and encouraging during the process, he’s more likely to cooperate.

Bathing

Recommended frequency: every 2 weeks

Why do you need to bathe your dog?

Maintain hygiene
Check for any wounds or parasites

Things to Take Note of When Bathing Your Dog

• Brush your dog before a bath

Remove mats before wetting your dog. Otherwise, it’ll worsen any tangles.

• Use a dog shampoo

Dogs require a gentler shampoo than humans and even babies.

• Have everything you need within reach

Be well prepared. During the bath, your dog should never be left unattended. Thus, it’s important to ensure that the shampoo, cotton balls (for ears) and towel are nearby.

• Place a bath mat for them to stand comfortably on without slipping
• Use slighted heated water

• Avoid getting shampoo in their eyes and ears!
• Rinse thoroughly with water

Leaving shampoo on your dog’s fur may lead to skin irritation and infections.

• For drying, set hairdryer to cool setting

How to Bathe Your Dog

Ear Cleaning

Recommended frequency: every 2 weeks

Why Do You Need to Clean Your Dog’s Ears?

Prevent infections
Remove dirt and ear mites
Maintain optimum bacteria balance

How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears

All you need is: your preferred ear cleaning solution and some cotton balls.

• Sit on the floor and position your dog such that he’s comfortable and you’re able to hold on to an ear to clean it.

• Hold the pinna (or ear flap) up vertically while holding the ear cleaning solution in your other hand.
• Squeeze some solution into his ear.

It’s okay for the cleaner to spill out of the ear.

• While still holding the ear up, give a gentle massage to the bottom of the ear.

You’ll be able to hear the liquid move down the ear canal. This helps to clean the entire ear thoroughly.

• Let your dog shake out any extra solution.
• Then, hold his ear up and use a cotton ball to clean any debris and liquid.

Eye Cleaning

Recommended frequency: every 2 weeks

Why Do You Need to Clean Your Dog’s Eyes?

Prevent infections

Methods You Can Use to Clean Your Dog’s Eyes

• Wipe with a tear stain removal solution

Use either a sponge, cloth or gauze to do this. Wet it with just enough solution to wipe any dirt off your pet’s eyes.

Avoid using tissues or paper towels as they’ll shred when wet and irritate the eyes.

• Wipe with moist wipes

This is the convenient solution. However, ensure that the wipes are made specially for dogs.

When wiping your dog’s eyes, be gentle and do not touch his eyes.

• Cover with face cream or powder

For dogs with white fur, using face cream/powder helps to blend any tear stains away. This is a safer but less permanent solution than wiping.

• Trim stained fur off

Only use clippers if you dog is calm and tolerant of it. Otherwise, get help from a professional groomer.

Paw Cleaning

Recommended frequency: every 2 weeks

Why Do You Need to Clean Your Dog’s Paws?

Remove any dirt stuck in between their toes
Attend to any wounds or cuts immediately
Prevent irritation due to dirt accumulation

Ways to Clean Your Dog’s Paws Effectively

• Buy dog boots for your pet

If you prefer to keep your dog’s paws clean at all times, wearing dog boots is the solution.

• Get your dog accustomed to foot touching

Once he’s used to the idea and feeling of getting his feet touched, the process would be smoother.

Make him comfortable by starting slow – give constant encouragement and treats.

• Wipe with pet wipes
• Use shampoo to wash

This can be done during baths, or whenever he steps onto something that is harder to remove.

Hair Trimming

Recommended frequency: every 2 months

Why Do You Need to Trim Your Dog’s Hair?

Prevent matting
Improve comfort

Preparation Needed Before Cutting Your Dog’s Hair

• Purchase a full set of grooming scissors

Type of scissors	Function	Example
Straight scissors	General cutting	Four Paws Grooming Scissors (7.5")
Rounded tip scissors	Cutting sensitive areas like face and tail	NHS Round Tip Grooming Scissor
Thinning scissors	For problem areas and giving your pet’s coat a natural look	Four Paws Thinning Shears

• Set up a grooming station

Place a mat underneath your pet so that when done, you can easily throw the hair away. Also, ensure that all your grooming tools are within reach.

• Grooming scissors should be sharpened and oiled

This ensures a clean cut to prevent tugging on your pet’s hair.

How to Cut Your Dog’s Hair

1. Start by combing his coat to get rid of mats

You can also choose to trim his hair after a bath when his coat is damp.

2. Decide on your preferred length

There’s no restrictions to the length of the coat, as long as you don’t cut too near to their skin. To ensure that you cut evenly, use your finger as a ruler.

3. Work from the front to the back of the body

Work calmly and carefully.

4. Deal with delicate areas last

Trim the more essential parts before the sensitive areas like the face and tail, so if your dog gets restless, at least the bulk of it is done.

5. Finish off by using the thinning scissors to trim any matted or thick patches

Training Your Dog To Enjoy Grooming

The key to nailing DIY grooming is comfort and consistency.

Take it slow and make the environment as comfortable for your pet as possible. Give him his favourite treat after its done so he’ll associate the experience with positive reinforcement.

Once he’s used to the routine, he’ll be calmer and the process will be smooth sailing.

Professional Groomer

If you on the other hand want to get your dog spruced up by a professional pet groomer, you can always make an appointment with any one of our pet groomers here at Pet Lovers Centre.

Our team of pet groomers are well-trained and experienced and will treat your furkid with tender loving care.

They have also been featured on many magazines like:

Contact us to book an appointment today!