Grooming Your Dog at Home: Brushing, Bathing, and Ears
In this guide
Grooming is not just about appearance. Brushing removes dead hair and debris, prevents painful mats, spreads natural oils, and gives you a regular chance to check for lumps, ticks, sore spots, and skin problems.
Short, positive sessions from puppyhood make grooming something your dog tolerates — or even enjoys.
Match the brush to the coat
- Short, smooth coats — a rubber curry brush or bristle brush, weekly
- Double coats (e.g. Labradors, Huskies) — an undercoat rake and slicker, more during seasonal shedding
- Long, silky coats — a pin brush and wide-toothed comb, several times a week
- Curly, non-shedding coats (e.g. Poodles) — a slicker and comb, every few days, plus professional clipping
Dealing with mats
Work small mats out gently with your fingers and a comb, holding the hair near the skin so you do not pull. Large or tight mats are painful and can hide skin infections; a groomer may need to clip them out. Never cut mats with scissors close to the skin — it is very easy to cut the dog.
Bathing
Most dogs only need a bath every few weeks to few months, or when they are dirty. Use a dog shampoo — human products can irritate their skin. Brush before bathing, rinse thoroughly, and dry well, especially in thick coats where damp can cause skin problems.
Ears, eyes, and paws
Check ears weekly for redness, smell, or discharge, and clean only the visible part with a vet-recommended cleaner. Wipe away tear staining with a damp cloth. Trim hair between paw pads on long-coated breeds to prevent slipping and mats. See our guide to trimming your dog’s nails.
Make it pleasant
Keep sessions short, use treats, and stop before your dog becomes restless. Lick mats with a smear of dog-safe food can keep a dog happily occupied during brushing.
This is general pet-care information, not veterinary advice. Every animal is different — if you are worried about your pet's health or behaviour, contact your veterinarian. In an emergency or a suspected poisoning, call your vet or an animal poison-control line immediately.