One of the things your dog most counts on you for is grooming and bathing. Dog grooming can be challenging at first, but once you establish a good grooming routine, everything will be easier for both you and your dog.
So, if you wonder how to groom your dog at home, this article can help you figure it out. We are providing clean and clear instructions on grooming your dog at home, from the tools and equipment you will need, to how to adjust your grooming technique to different dog breeds, to what dog bathing stations are best for use at home.
Everything You Need To Groom A Dog At Home
First, you will need to gather some essentials. Obviously, you will need some water and a shampoo. The water should be lukewarm, so not too warm nor too cold.
For shampoo, you must only use dog shampoos for dog grooming; regular shampoo contains ingredients that could harm your dog.
Next, you will also need several other dog grooming tools:
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Dog nail clippers
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Ear cleaning solution
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Cotton pads
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Cotton towels
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Scissors
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Detangling comb
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Hair-dryer (if your dog can stand it)
Apart from these basics, consider investing in a dog grooming table. This table comes with several benefits, such as making the grooming sessions more convenient. However, we’ll talk more about grooming tables later. Let’s first see how to groom your dog properly:
Step-by-Step Guide On How to Groom A Dog
A good grooming routine will make the whole process easier, no matter what tools and equipment you use:
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Step 1: Before anything else, brush your dog’s fur. This will help remove the loose fur and detangle knots and matted hairs.
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Step 2: Slowly pour lukewarm water over your dog’s fur. Keep petting and reassuring your dog to make the whole experience more pleasant.
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Step 3: Lather your dog with shampoo. Avoid the eyes and the insides of its ears.
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Step 4: Rinse the shampoo completely. If your dog is particularly dirty, apply another round of shampoo and rinse it again.
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Step 5: Dry your dog with a towel, or use a hair dryer if possible. If your dog allows you to use a hair dryer on them, make sure to use the moderate heat setting (not the hottest one). You can also find and use specialized pet dryers.
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Step 6: Take the nail clipper and clip your dog's nails. Make sure to avoid cutting the quick (the sensitive part inside the nail).
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Step 7: Soak the cotton pads in the ear cleaning solution, and gently clean your dog’s ears.
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Step 8: This is optional - if you feel like your dog could use a fur trim, you can use scissors to trim its coat, especially around the areas such as eyes, paws, and under the tail. Be careful while cutting the fur and don’t make any sudden movements.
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Step 9: Reward your dog with a treat! This will make the whole grooming routine more bearable and positive in the eyes of your dog.
Breed Matters: Tips for Grooming Different Breeds
Every dog is unique, which means you will have to adapt the grooming routine to your dog’s needs. The answer to “how to groom your own dog at home?” may vary depending on your dog.
Apart from your dog’s character and size, there is another important factor that you should consider - its fur. Obviously, breeds with shorter fur are easier to bathe and groom than some other breeds.
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If your dog belongs to a double-coated breed (e.g., golden retrievers), you’ll need to brush its fur at least once a week.
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Curly-coated breeds such as poodles require more frequent trimming to avoid matted fur.
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There are even wire-haired breeds, such as terriers, that need special clippers to maintain the texture of their fur.
Why Do You Need A Dog Grooming Table?
Again, for proper, consistent, and effective dog grooming at home, you need a dog grooming table. Of course, you can groom your dog even without it, but it makes the whole process much easier. If you plan to groom your dog at home, this is not just another purchase; it is an investment.
Dog grooming tables are also convenient because they reduce the mess you make while grooming your dog. You can easily clean them after you’re done. Plus, you can also use dog grooming tables to keep grooming tools and equipment in one place.
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Also, if you struggle to find a place where you can groom your dog, a grooming table solves that problem.
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Is your dog trying to break free during the grooming session? Having a dog grooming table will help you restrain your dog and keep it in one place.
Many dog owners complain that their backs hurt after grooming their dogs. Having a dog grooming table will help with that. These tables can be adjusted in height so that you don’t have to slouch while grooming your dog. Finally, most dog grooming tables have built-in faucets, which means you don’t have to worry about a water supply.
Best Dog Grooming Tables
Now that you have learned how to groom your dog at home and why having a grooming table is so important, it’s time to look for the best grooming tables you can buy. Here are our top picks:
Heavy Duty Electric Dog Grooming Table with Adjustable Height
Groom your dog with ease using this height-adjustable table. You will be able to keep your dog in one place thanks to the secure grooming bar that comes with four nooses. The non-slip, removable tabletop makes cleanup simple. This is a stable and convenient option for dogs of all sizes.
50" Stainless Steel Dog Grooming Tub with Faucet
If you have a large and heavy dog, you want a grooming table that can withstand its size and weight. This dog grooming table can take dogs up to 260 lbs. It also features a nonslip basin, sliding door, walk-in ramp, and warm water faucet for a comfortable wash:
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article has helped you learn how to groom your dog at home. Remember, it is important that you take it slowly and do what’s best for you and your dog. Take our tips as a guide, but feel free to adjust them to your specific situation!
