It’s not just humans that are getting a little ‘scruffy’ during lockdown with all the hairdressers, barbers and salons closed, dogs that regularly go to the groomers are likely wondering what’s going on too. If your pet is one of those breeds that needs its coat tending to more regularly to prevent matting, or if your pup is a bit of a magnet for dirt and grime then you’re probably counting down the days until your favourite groomer reopens.

If you’re considering tackling the Grooming yourself though, there are some helpful tips out there to make it as comfortable for the dog as possible, and also to make sure that your dogs coat isn’t in a ‘too far gone’ state when you next visit the groomers. Here are some helpful tips for how to groom a dog at home:

Dog Grooming Tips

Make your dog feel comfortable
The trick to set your dog’s mind at ease when trying anything new is to have a calm demeanor and a packet of treats to hand. Start simple with brushing the coat, avoid restraining them too much and if they really don’t like it then leave it and try again another day. Reenforce positive behaviour with praise and treats to let them know that this isn’t as daunting as it may seem.

Get into a habit of brushing your dog regularly
Regular brushing for a few minutes a day or every couple of days will help prevent more deep-seated fur knots and tangles. The more you brush them, the more used to it they’ll be. Brushing also helps remove dirty and excess hair (a necessity for those breeds that malt a lot), regular brushing (theoretically) means less vacuuming and less hair on your clothes. All you need is a good dog grooming brush to get started.

Keep an eye out for matted hair
Matted hair isn’t just unsightly, it can be painful and irritating for your dog as well as it pulls at the skin. Again, the best way to keep on top of this is with regular brushing, but if your dog won’t sit to be brushed, make sure you regularly check during cuddles. To tackle smaller mats, avoid using scissors where possible so that you don’t accidentally knick at your dog’s skin, get yourself a metal dog comb and slowly start on the edge of the mat and start to pick it apart working your way to the centre of the matted area. It’s wise to be vigilant with mat checking as larger mats will need your groomer or even your vets help and may need to have that fur cut away.

Bathe your dog
For longer haired dogs, you’re probably regularly bathing them as they’re no doubt picking up plenty of dirt and grime on their walks. While it’s important not to over bathe your dog otherwise it can cause dry irritating skin, but a bath every once in a while with a dog shampoo (avoid human shampoo) will benefit your dog’s coat, especially for those dogs that suffer from skin allergies. As far as getting your dog in the bath? Well that’s back to the top point, make sure you’ve got plenty of treats and praise on hand to let them know this isn’t a bad experience.

Trim your dogs nails
Regular walks on hard/concrete floor will probably grind down the nails enough to keep them where they should be, but you shouldn’t be afraid to cut your dogs nails if needed. Long nails for dogs can cause them pain when walking and if you can hear the clip clopping of nails on your laminate flooring, then it might be time to give them a bit of a trim. It’s worth purchasing some dog nail clippers, as it’s certainly not a one off job. A video like this, should help with advice on the best way to trim your dogs nails:

Wipe your dogs eyes for them
A daily grooming duty should be to stay on top of the discharge from your dogs eyes. Give the eyes a wipe with a damp piece of cotton wool. Wipe downwards from the eye to prevent a build up of all that eye gunk.

Dog Grooming Kits

If you’ve got a dog that needs regular grooming and upkeep, then there are plenty of great dog grooming kits out there. A website such as Christies Direct that has products from simple home grooming through to dog grooming tables and blow dryers for more professional use. On their website you’ll find a handy section that has video tips and recommended products depending on the type of coat your dog has, which can be really helpful. Check them out here:

Smooth Coat Grooming Products

Curly/Wooly Coat Grooming Products

Long Coat Grooming Products

Short Coat Grooming Products

Wire Coat Grooming Products

Double Coat Grooming Products

Puppy Grooming Products

So do your dog, and your groomer a favour during lockdown and stay on top of some of these basic grooming tasks, because there’s enough hair shaving being done by humans without us having to get the dogs involved as well!

Please note: Links in this article may be affiliate links. This means if you purchase from the recommended websites that I may receive a percentage of commission, this does not affect the price of your order and is obtained directly from the retailer.