With the UK entering another national lockdown, many dog owners will be wondering how to groom their dogs at home to avoid having to leave the house. In the video tutorial above, Country Living worked with professional dog groomer Marie Burns to take dog owners through the step-by-step process of safely and effectively grooming their dog at home. Watch it carefully to pick up some great tips and continue reading for more information on at-home grooming.
Deemed as an 'essential' business, dog groomers will remain open in the UK throughout the national lockdown. Government guidelines do, however, make it clear that they should be used for emergency and welfare needs only, not for pet aesthetics. With that in mind, there's never been a better time to learn how to groom your dog at home. It's also a brilliant way to bond with your pup.
Pet shops will also remain open during lockdown if you need to purchase grooming tools and dog-specific shampoo. You can also find these online if you'd prefer.
Why is it important to groom your dog?
Grooming your dog regularly is vital to ensure they stay clean, healthy and comfortable. Clipping their nails, cleaning around the eyes and trimming their coats helps to remove dead hair, skin, dandruff and dirt.
Every dog breed is different and has different needs when it comes to the methodology and frequency of grooming so it's important to do your research on your dog first. If in doubt, call a local groomer or vet and ask for their advice on how regularly you should groom your dog and if there are any hazardous areas to be aware of for their breed.
Where should you groom your dog?
"Grooming can be done anywhere in the house, however choosing a room with a surface where your dog can't slip would be best to make the grooming process as stress-free as possible," says Hayley Byrne-Ingle, a groomer from the Kennel Club. "Bathing your dog should be done in warm water and pick an area to groom your dog where they can take themselves off if they've had enough."
Should you cut or shave your dog's coat at home?
When it comes to trimming your dog's coat at home, the most important factor is the tools you might use to do so. "Ideally, cutting and/or shaving your dog's coat should be left to your local dog groomer. Human hair clippers often have very short blades which can easily injure dogs, or leave their skin visible," says Hayley.
So how can we maintain their coats if we don't have the right tools or knowledge to do it at home? "Instead, invest in a good brush — a standard slicker brush is appropriate for most breeds, and brush your dog little and often. Areas that should be focused on are the chest, and behind the ears and legs," Hayley continues.
If in doubt, call your dog groomer and ask them for advice on how to trim your dog's coat at home and what clippers to use.
5 steps to grooming your dog at home
1. Brush your dog's coat: "Brush your dog's coat little and often, taking care around the sensitive areas. This will help your dog's coat stay free of mats if they are prone to them, whilst keeping your dog used to being handled.
"If your dog has pollen in his or her coat when you get back from a walk, this can easily be removed with a brush – a slicker brush is best."
2. Bath your dog: "Regular bathing of your dog will make sure their coat is kept clean, however please do ensure your dog's coat is knot-free before getting wet, as bathing without brushing could cause further matting of the coat."
Wild Wash Dog Shampoo for Deep Cleaning & Deodorising
3. Clean your dog's eyes: "If your dog has a build-up of discharge around its eyes, please do not try and trim anywhere around their eyes. Instead, a small, moist piece of cotton wool can be carefully wiped from the corner of your dog's eyes in a gentle downwards motion. This should remove or loosen any discharge surrounding the eye. Done daily, this can help prevent any build-up from occurring."
4. Clip your dog's nails: "Try and check your dog's claws as regularly as you can. Dogs' nails ideally should be cut every three to six weeks depending on growth. An easy way to see if your dog's nails need clipping is to look at them when your dog is standing straight –their nails should not touch the floor. If they are, they may need trimming. This should ideally be left to your groomer or your vet, as doing them if you’re not confident could hurt your dog and cause them to bleed," Hayley says.
"If their nails are starting to curl and cut into the dog's paw pad it might be advisable to call your vet, as this could be seen as a welfare issue."
5. Give treats: "Grooming can be used as bonding time with your dog, with treats as rewards."
On the hunt for nail trimmers to order online? Take a look at some of our favourite choices below...
The best dog nail clippers to keep paws neat and tidy
Pet supplier Petstoreo was founded by two working veterinarians who have created an extensive range of high-quality and sustainable pet products, including these sturdy nail clippers.
An adjustable claw guard allows you to change the size of the clipping area to more precisely accommodate your dog's nails. It has a safety guard for storage and non-slip rubber handles.
Using an electric grinder is effective, but loud noises may faze more nervous dogs. This one has been designed to be extra-quiet to avoid causing any upset. It has a four-hour charge and two speeds; a slower one for trimming to length and another for filing smooth afterwards.
At under £5, these are the most affordable clippers on our list. A safety lock allows you to store them safely, while the handles are rubberised for extra grip.
Another affordable pair, but guillotine-style instead. Their ergonomic design is easy to use and will get the job done efficiently, delivering sharp clean cuts.
This cordless nail grinder comes with five file attachments that can be switched out. Two sanding drums are also included to keep the files at their best. It’s one of the cheaper nail grinders we’ve seen, but bear in mind that it is battery-powered rather than rechargeable.
This cordless grinder has LED lights, providing a clearer view of claws. It has a two-hour charge and a low vibration.
Designed to clip just the tip of the nail, these clippers have a unique patent-pending conical blade that doesn't crush the nail. Recommended by veterinarians and groomers, they also come in a range of sizes so you can find the right one.
If you're nervous about cutting your pooch's nails for the first time, try these clippers. An anti-slip handle helps you maintain a firm grip so you can comfortably cut their nails, while a spring-loaded safety stop prevents over-cutting.
This electric nail grinder is suitable for all breeds. It has two speeds and three grinding ports, so you can choose the right setting for your pet. It also has a two-hour charge.
We love this handy nail trimmer, which comes with four practical LED lights. It also has a replacement blade and a nail trapper which helps catch nail clippings for an easy clean-up.
Designed to cut any type or thickness nail safely, this clipper set also comes with a handy file so you can get your dog's nails just right.
The information in this story is accurate as of the publication date. While we are attempting to keep our content as up-to-date as possible, the situation surrounding the coronavirus pandemic continues to develop rapidly, so it's possible that some information and recommendations may have changed since publishing. For any concerns and latest advice, visit the World Health Organisation. If you're in the UK, the National Health Service can also provide useful information and support, while US users can contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
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