4 Tips for Grooming Your Own Dog

Our four-legged friends are our family members. But just like our family members, we’re happier when everyone is practicing good hygiene. While your dog may not be able to take a shower or trim their nails on their own, you don’t have to go to an expensive groomer for this. You can easily learn to groom your dog at home.

Here are four of our best tips for an easy at-home grooming experience.

1.Set Up Your Station

When it comes to grooming your dog, it’s important to set up your workspaces in order to make it comfortable for both you and your pup.

You’ll likely start in the bathtub. Of course, some dogs love water, but not all do. If your dog isn’t a fan of water -- or just isn’t accustomed to being bathed -- be sure to soothe them. Using a non-slip mat in the bathtub can make them feel more comfortable as they won’t have to worry about losing traction.

When they’re done with their bath, have a towel at the ready … because dogs love to “shake” to dry off. Unless you want water splattered around your bathroom, a towel can help minimize the excess water that will be shaken off your dog’s coat.After the bath, you might move them to another area to continue the rest of their grooming treatment. Whether you’re clipping their nails, brushing their teeth, or something else, having a dedicated workspace where they feel calm and relaxed can make a big difference.

Consider using a low table with a towel on top. You might also want to enlist the help of someone else to keep your dog happy and distracted while you continue their grooming treatment.

2. Check Their Coat Thoroughly

Before you start any brushing or other grooming, make sure to inspect your dog’s coat thoroughly. If they spend time outdoors, they may have tiny burrs that are caught in their fur. Brushing these out may cause it to snag, which can be painful. You may want to remove these by hand so you can ensure the removal is gentle and doesn’t cause your dog any pain or stress.

Long-haired dogs also are more likely to have tangled, matted fur. Using your brush or comb, hold your dog’s fur at the base as you gently work through the tangles. That way, the pressure of the brush pulling at the hair won’t irritate their skin.

And there’s one other crucial thing to look for when you’re grooming your dog: ticks, fleas, or other types of mites. These blood-sucking creatures can cause your pet lots of discomfort and itchiness on their skin. Fleas can spread to other parts of the house, including people, carpet, and furniture. And ticks can cause a variety of diseases in your four-legged friend, such as Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

If you live in an area where ticks are common, be sure to check your pup for these often -- not only when it’s grooming time.

3. Use the Right Products

Dogs have extremely sensitive skin, and the products we use for bathing and grooming for people aren’t a good match for dogs. Many retailers offer special dog shampoo and grooming products. But these can still be full of harsh chemicals that can irritate your dog’s skin.

Gou Gou Pets offers naturally-derived grooming products that are safe and beneficial for pets to use without worry of irritation. Our Crouching Tiger, Hidden Tangles Detangling Spray is moisturizing, smoothing, and strengthening for your pet’s coat. It can help your brush or comb glide through your pet’s fur with ease.

This spray is made with high-end, top-tier ingredients. These ingredients help preserve your inner zen and also keep your pup’s coat silky smooth. Tap into the power of ancient Chinese wisdom with this gentle detangling spray for your dog that is made with naturally-sourced herbs and oils, including rosemary, chamomile, and lavender oils.

We also offer a traditional grooming pedicure kit that includes a file, three unique pairs of low-noise, stainless steel clippers featuring a top-of-the-line safety guard to protect paws from over-cutting. This pedicure kit is the perfect size to use on the go. It’s safe to use on dogs, cats, and other household pets. Pair this with our foldable comb, and you’ll be set with a well-groomed, happy pet.

4. Groom Regularly

Just like most things in life, the more you do something, the easier it gets. If you wait to comb out your dog’s tangles every 6 months, it’s certainly going to be more difficult to remove those than it would be if you were combing them out every two weeks.

Grooming regularly -- and checking your pet’s coat for burrs, ticks, fleas, and any other type of wound -- can also ensure that your pet is staying healthy. When you’re on the lookout for any issues, it can help you catch them more quickly and ensure they’re able to get any medical attention they may need in a timely manner.

But keep in mind that you may not want to bathe your dog too often. This can dry out their skin and take away their skin’s natural oils. Even if you choose to groom them frequently, you can skip the bath portion unless they are smelly or in need of a good cleaning. Otherwise, only bathe them every few months at most.

And what if your dog doesn’t like being groomed? In that case, repetition can help them become more comfortable with it. You can teach them to enjoy grooming time. Not only does it represent an opportunity for some bonding time with your pup, but if it provides them with extra treats, they may learn to enjoy it.