The Ultimate Guide to Home Grooming
Updated 16 October 2026
In short: home grooming is mainly regular brushing, a bath when your dog is dirty, checking the ears, trimming the nails and brushing the teeth. It's also a chance to spot a tick, a lump or a wound early. Use dog products, work in short, rewarded sessions, and trim nails a little at a time so you don't cut the live quick. For technical trims or a very stressed dog, see a groomer.
Why groom your dog?
Spot problems early
Ticks, fleas, lumps, wounds, redness: your hands go everywhere.
No mats
Mats pull on the skin and can hide irritation.
Short nails
Too long, they affect how the paw lands and can break.
Time together
Done gently with rewards, it also gets your dog used to being handled at the vet.
What grooming equipment do you need?
| Tool | What for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Brush suited to the coat | Dead hair, tangles | Rake, slicker or mitt depending on coat |
| Comb | Check no tangles remain | Especially behind the ears and under the legs |
| Dog shampoo | Bathing | Never a human product |
| Nail clippers | Nails | Sized for your dog, sharp |
| Styptic powder | Stop a bleeding nail | Have it ready before you start |
| Veterinary ear cleaner | Ears | Never a cotton bud in the canal |
| Dog toothbrush and toothpaste | Teeth | See our brushing guide |
How do you groom your dog step by step?
Brush section by section, from the legs up to the head, with the lie of the coat. On a tangle, hold the hair at the base so you don't pull the skin, and work it out with your fingers or a comb. A mat tight against the skin should be removed by a groomer, not with scissors at home. See managing shedding.
Only when your dog is dirty or smelly: every 4 to 8 weeks on average. Brush first, lukewarm water, dog shampoo, very thorough rinse, dry completely. See bathing your dog.
Check them weekly: clean, pink, no smell. If needed, put in a veterinary cleaner, massage the base, let your dog shake, then wipe the entrance with a gauze pad. Don't clean more than needed. Smell, redness, discharge or head shaking: see your vet.
If you hear them clicking on hard floors, they're too long. Cut small pieces, staying in front of the quick (the pink part visible in pale nails). On black nails, take very little at a time and stop when the centre of the cut looks darker and moist. If it bleeds: styptic powder and pressure. Don't forget the dewclaw.
Wipe the corners of the eyes with a damp gauze pad, one per eye. Heavy discharge, a red or half-closed eye: see your vet. For teeth, daily brushing is ideal: see brushing your dog's teeth.
How often should you groom your dog?
- Dailytooth brushing; coat brushing during a moult
- Weeklycoat brushing, checking ears, eyes and pads
- Every 2 to 6 weeksnails, depending on wear (dogs walking on pavement wear them down more)
- Every 4 to 8 weeksa bath, or whenever it's dirty
Before I start, I have:
When should you see a groomer or vet?
Technical trims
Poodles, Bichons, Shih Tzus, hand-stripped terriers, mats tight to the skin.
Very stressed dog
A patient professional beats a session that puts your dog off for good.
Warning signs
Ear smell, a lump, a wound, patchy hair loss, a broken bleeding nail.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I groom my dog?
Brushing once to several times a week depending on the coat, ears weekly, nails every few weeks, a bath every 4 to 8 weeks or so.
How do I trim black dog nails?
A very little at a time, watching the cut: stop when the centre looks darker and moist, a sign the quick is close.
Can I clean ears with a cotton bud?
No: it pushes dirt deeper and can cause injury. Use a veterinary cleaner and a gauze pad at the ear entrance.
What if I cut a nail too short?
Apply styptic powder or press a gauze pad for a few minutes. If the bleeding doesn't stop, call your vet.