How to groom your dog at home

Regular grooming at home keeps your dog's coat healthy and lets you check for lumps, parasites and sore spots. It is also a good way to spend calm time together.

Why grooming matters

Brushing removes dead hair and dirt, helps prevent mats, and spreads the natural oils in your dog's skin through their coat. While you brush, check for:

• lumps, bumps or sore patches on the skin
• fleas, ticks or flea dirt
• the condition of their teeth, ears and eyes
• the length and condition of their nails

If you find anything unusual, ask your vet.

Start grooming when your dog is a puppy, so they get used to being handled. Keep sessions short and positive, and reward your dog with treats and praise.

What you need

• a brush or comb suited to your dog's coat
• dog shampoo, and dog conditioner if their coat tangles
• a dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste
• dog nail clippers
• a torch, for dogs with dark nails

Only use electric clippers on the coat if you know how; otherwise leave clipping to a professional groomer. Clipping is a skill, and it is easy to cause cuts or clipper burn.

Never use human shampoo or human toothpaste on your dog.

Bathing your dog

Some dogs enjoy a bath and some don't. Use lukewarm water, a dog shampoo, and keep baths short and calm, rewarding your dog throughout.

Brush out any knots before the bath, as water can tighten them. If your dog's fur is tangled, a little dog conditioner and gentle combing can help. Badly matted fur is best left to a groomer.

Afterwards, towel your dog dry. If you use a hairdryer, keep it on a cool setting and away from their face. Some dogs find the noise and airflow stressful, so let them get used to it slowly, or let them dry naturally in a warm room.

Brushing your dog's teeth

Use a dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste. Lift the lip gently and brush in small circles, paying attention to the back teeth and the gum line. Start with a few seconds at a time and build up as your dog gets used to it.

Trimming your dog's nails

Choose a quiet spot and a time when you and your dog are both relaxed. If your dog becomes stressed, stop, let them calm down and try again later. Treats help.

Finding the quick

Each nail has a quick, a blood vessel and nerve inside it. Trim only the tip, a little at a time. On dark nails, where you can't see the quick, take tiny slivers. If you're unsure, ask your vet nurse or groomer to show you.

How often to trim

Trim as often as needed so nails don't touch the floor when your dog stands; dogs that walk on hard ground may need it less often.

If a nail bleeds

Even with care, you may sometimes catch the quick. Stay calm. Press styptic powder or cornflour onto the tip and apply gentle pressure. If bleeding doesn't stop within a few minutes, call your vet.

How often to groom

It depends on your dog's coat. Short, smooth coats usually need brushing about once a week. Long, thick or wiry coats need brushing more often to stay tangle-free, and some coats need regular professional grooming too. Ask your groomer or vet what suits your dog.