How To Groom A Dog
Tips For Keeping Spoiled Dogs
Looking Grrreat!

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If you want to know how to groom a dog, be prepared to go way beyond the basic quick brush. While a dog's coat is without doubt the main dog grooming target, Rover needs to be inspected from head to tail fairly often to check other areas that may need attention. The good news is that when you have a regular grooming routine your dog will not only look great, he will be healthier for it.

Plus, it doesn't take that much time if kept up. Compare it to housekeeping, if you handle a little bit each day its not a big chore. Whereas, left until it's a disaster, then you have a BIG job on your hands!

Although dogs may have been groomed in the distant past, the level of attention and detail given to a dog's grooming today is a relatively new concept.

That being said, with some basic dog grooming instructions and the right dog grooming tools, you can do a pretty good job of keeping your dog in the best condition. Once you learn how to groom a dog, you'll even find your dog enjoying the primping and one-on-one attention that goes with it. Professional grooming is fine, but there's no hand your dog wants to touch him more than your's.

The bottom line - regular grooming is the secret to keeping your dog healthier and looking fresh as a daisy.

How To Groom A Dog - What You'll Need

For easy home care, keep a well-stocked caddy of dog grooming tools and supplies handy all the time for dog bathing, brushing, combing. This will help you maintain your dog's sharp image between visits to a professional groomer.


If you have a spoiled rotten dog, remember he has to look the part when he's out in public, so looking good is a must. No shaggy dog look will do!

Thankfully, you won't have to totally rely on a grooming professional to keep up your dog's appearance. Great grooming products have evolved to answer the most frequent bane of many dog owners - shedding. The FurMinator has been praised over and again as the best tool for handling this grooming challenge.

However, if you are a really fastidious housekeeper, you might want to check out our list of dogs that do not shed very much.

FURminator De-shedding Tool
An Excellent De-shedding Tool of Professional Caliber!

If you do have to turn to professional styling from time to time, try to find a salon with licensed staff that not only know how to groom a dog, but are sufficiently talented to get the job done right.

Asking for referrals is a good idea - after all, there must be a few posh doggies in your neighborhood you can turn to! But, before entrusting your dog to any unknown clippers, visit the salon personally to make sure the groomers really do turn out classy-looking canines and treat them well.

Bathing is such an important part of how to groom a dog, that we have written how to handle this in a rather special way. Be sure to check out our dog bathing page to surprise your dog with a bathing experience he won't forget!

In professional dog clips, daily brushing, combing and bathing as needed are essential to a healthy coat and protection from parasites. These routines, along with a nutritious diet, are also very important in helping to keep your pet free of dog skin allergies.

Grooming gloves are another useful tool for removing loose dog hair and at the same time giving your pal a nice massage - always welcome! Frequent use will also target mats and tangles in your dog's coat before they build up and become more difficult matters! Be sure to read our detailed article on "how to undo your dog's tangles". It will help you handle this snarly problem in the gentlest manner. Specialized detangling and shedding combs are just some of the dog grooming tools your dog wants you to have, to make this job a lot easier on him!


An active pet picks up a lot of dirt, debris, sticky burrs and the like during his romps around the park or back yard, which can contribute to an "unrefined" doggie odor. Getting this stuff out, along with dry skin and loose hair, will make him more comfortable and is an important part of how to groom a dog.

When you set aside some regular time for grooming, you also become more familiar with your dog’s overall condition and are more likely to spot any changes in his health. This alone is a good enough reason to maintain your dog’s hygiene, but an additional plus is the chance you get to enjoy some one-on-one time with your pet.

These days, dogs are looking good and smelling even better with the availability of high quality dog shampoos and conditioners as well as deodorizing sprays and even colognes. There are even specialized shampoos for the itchy coat, the stinky coat, the dry coat, the snarly coat and even organic shampoos for those more sensitive puppies. Finally, we have everything we need to keep our dogs looking smart and welcome in the best of places.

How To Groom A Dog - Paws, Nails And Ears

While some dogs are more active than others or spend more time in rougher terrain, all dogs' paws get a workout and are not protected by shoes like human feet (at least for the most part!). You may hear some clicking as he or she walks across the floor, but that's not the sound of high heels, it just means a pedicure is needed!

Paws can be the target for burrs, imbedded sharp objects, scratches, cuts, painful cracks, infections and broken nails. In other words, they need frequent inspection and some TLC. You can learn about paw care here. Ears are an area that dogs cannot self-groom or easily protect. As a result, they are often invaded by parasites and vulnerable to infection. They can also accumulate excess wax, dirt and debris which needs regular removal. We have written a detailed page on cleaning dogs ears because it is so important to a dog's health and comfort.

How To Groom A Dog - The Importance Of Dental Care

We're not done yet.... I would be remiss if I didn't also mention dental care. After all when our party animals are off to socialize, one dog grooming essential not to be overlooked is the delicate matter of doggie breath. There's no two ways about it, a dog has to have a solid foundation of dental hygiene as part of his grooming routine.

Unfortunately, most dogs don't come running to have their teeth brushed! But, dental care is so important to Rover's overall health that I have devoted an entire page to the subject. This page describes everything you've always wanted to know about cleaning your dog's teeth. Well, almost everything - I've given it my best shot.

In the meantime, Dental chews like the Dental Health Knot can be an enjoyable way to for your dog to participate in his own dental hygiene. If you're a very busy person and short on time - who isn't? - your dog and you will benefit if you find out about the easy-to-use D.D.S. Dental Wipes, and keep some handy for a quick fix on a daily basis.

For long term dental care, our canine’s "canines" depend also on a healthy nutritious diet. The right kind of ingredients typically found in premium dog food will promote a healthy immune system. This in turn leads to production of the right acids in the saliva to fight plaque.

Also, be on the lookout for doggie dental practices. A growing number of dentists are dividing their practices to include time for your dog’s dental care. Perhaps in the future both you and your dog can have your dental check-ups on the same day!

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How To Groom A Dog, Related Pages:

Dog Skin Allergies	Dealing With dog FLEAS
Paw Care	Treating Dog Hot Spots
Recognizing Dog Eye Problems	Organic Dog Shampoo
Dog Grooming Products	Dog Shampoos And Conditioners
Skunk Odor Removal	Give Your Dog A Spa Day
Take Your Well-Groomed Dog On A Date

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