Do it Yourself Dog Grooming Tips

Grooming your dog keeps him clean and healthy. Whether your dog is kept indoors or out, he should be groomed regularly to keep him clean. This is also the best way to help you know if something is wrong with your dog---when you are grooming him, you can check for cuts, scrapes, ticks and fleas.

  1. Bathing

    • Start your dog's grooming session with a thorough brushing. This helps remove the tangles and matted hair. It also gives you a chance to look him over closely to make sure he is free of cuts, scrapes, ticks and fleas.

      Put a rubber mat or folded towel in the bottom of the bathtub if washing your dog inside. This helps him stay standing without slipping. Place cotton balls in the dog's ears to help keep water out. Use warm water, holding a sprayer nozzle close to the dog's skin. Make sure to keep the spray away from his face. Use your hands or a sponge to wet his face without getting water in his eyes.

      Pour small amounts of dog shampoo onto the dog, massaging the skin while working the shampoo into the hair. Start at the dog's head and work back to the tail, cleaning under the chin, behind the ears, each leg and between the toes. Rinse your dog with warm water, being careful to keep soapy water from getting to his eyes. Quickly dry your dog with a towel so he doesn't become cold or shake water all over you and the room.

    Face

    • On your dog's face, begin with wiping around his eyes with a warm sponge or cloth. Wipe away stains or eye buildup. Move to his ears and wipe the insides with a warm cloth. Don't go too deep, just wipe the outer flap and around the entrance of the ear canal. Use a cotton ball moistened with mineral oil to loosen and remove any dirt or wax buildup around the ear.

      Clean your dog's teeth with dog toothpaste and a toothbrush. This should be done twice per week or a few times per month. Dogs can get cavities and gum disease, so their teeth should be kept clean.

    Nails

    • Before clipping your dog's nails, make sure you have appropriate-sized clippers and a bottle of blood-clotting powder in case the nails are cut to the quick. Sit your dog next to you and bring one paw to your lap. Hold the paw with one hand and use the other hand to carefully trim each toe nail. You can trim them slowly, gradually shortening them to the appropriate length. Be careful not to cut the quick, which is in the area where the nail starts to curve. If the quick is cut and starts bleeding, pour some blood clotting powder on a cotton ball and press it against the bleeding area for a few seconds.