Whether your dog’s next grooming appointment isn’t for a few weeks or they decided to take a mud bath on a rainy day, sometimes you have to brush and bathe them yourself. At-home dog grooming sounds simple, but it can be difficult if your pup isn’t accustomed to you bathing them or trimming their nails. To ensure it goes as smoothly as possible, here are a few tips.

How to Groom Your Pooch at Home

1. Establish a Routine

Routines eliminate fear because your dog will know what to expect. Every time you groom them, do every step in the same order so there are no surprises. The more you stick to your routine, the more comfortable your pup will become with the process, which makes it safer and easier for you both.

2. Brush Regularly & Before Bathing

If you only handle one dog grooming task at home, it should be regular brushing. Doing so several times per week will remove dirt and loose hair and keep your dog comfortable. Just use the right brush for your dog. If they need a bath, brush before you wash them. This will remove excess grime so you aren’t working with dirty bathwater.

3. Use a Grooming Table

A grooming table isn’t necessary if you only plan to brush and bathe your dog at home. If you’re considering giving them haircuts or nail trims on your own, however, investing in a proper grooming table will make the tasks easier. You can also secure the pup to the table so they don’t squirm around.

4. Cut Hair & Nails With Sharp Clippers

Dog haircuts and nail trims aren’t easy to do yourself. Use sharp scissors or clippers, and only cut their hair when it’s completely dry. For nail trims, keep the clippers sharpened and cut so quickly to minimize the potential for splitting. On white nails, clip until you see pink; on black nails, trim a little at a time until you see a solid black dot.

5. Leave Certain Tasks to the Groomer

If there’s anything you don’t feel confident doing, leave those tasks to a professional. They are trained to handle dogs of all breeds and sizes and know the proper techniques to prevent injuries. Many pet parents leave haircuts, shaving, and nail trims for their professional dog grooming appointments and handle just the brushing and bathing at home.

At-home dog grooming can be stressful for both you and your pooch. If you want to avoid the hassle, turn to the professionals at Ty-D-Paws Express instead. For over 15 years, they’ve provided pet baths, deshedding treatments, haircuts, and more to the dogs of Lincoln, NE. In addition, they offer cat grooming services for all the felines in the area. Visit them online for more information, or call (402) 405-3999 to schedule an appointment.