How to Groom Your Dog at Home

Home grooming saves money between professional appointments and helps you catch skin problems, lumps and ticks early. These steps follow the American Kennel Club's home grooming guide.

Tools you'll need

Step 1: Brush

Brush gently all the way down to the skin. Long-coated breeds often need daily brushing, most other dogs a few times a week. Check for burrs, mats, cuts and scrapes; mats often form behind the ears and under the legs. Groomers advise leaving tight mats to a professional rather than cutting them with scissors, which can easily cut skin.

Step 2: Bathe (not too often)

• Wet your dog with warm water.
• Apply a mild dog shampoo starting at the neck and working back.
• Rinse thoroughly, then towel dry. Use a dryer only if your dog's coat and comfort allow.
• Avoid outdoor baths in cool weather, which can chill your dog dangerously.
• Bathing too often dries out skin; for healthy short-coated dogs, about once a month is plenty.
• Brush before bathing; water tightens mats.

Step 3: Trim nails

• Clicking on hard floors means nails are too long.
• Trim only the tip beyond the quick (the blood vessel inside the nail). It's visible in white nails; on dark nails, trim only the hooked tip.
• If you nick the quick, apply styptic powder.
• For nervous dogs, do one or two nails at a time and reward.
• Trim at least monthly.

Step 4: Clean ears

About once a month, or more often if needed, wipe only the visible outer ear with a damp cloth or a cotton ball lightly moistened with mineral oil. Never push anything into the ear canal. Dry ears well after swimming or baths.

Step 5: Clean around the eyes

Use a soft cloth or cotton ball dampened with warm water to remove debris from the corners. Don't wipe across the eye.

Step 6: Brush teeth

Daily brushing is ideal; a few times a week still helps. Use dog toothpaste (never human toothpaste). Start by rubbing teeth and gums with your finger, then add the brush.

When to see a groomer or vet

• Groomer: breed-specific haircuts, hand stripping, mats, hair between toe pads, or nail trims your dog won't tolerate.
• Veterinarian: red, swollen, smelly or discharging ears; sores or unusual skin; tartar that needs a professional cleaning.
• Anal glands: the AKC says not to express them unless a vet has trained you.

Find groomers for the jobs you'd rather not do yourself.

Sources

1. AKC: How to groom your dog at home (2026)
2. iHeartDogs: Ask a groomer: how often should I groom my dog?