The unrelenting dog days of summer are here and just in time comes our dog grooming tips to help you keep your pet looking (and feeling) her absolute best!
While the more adventurous of you may plan swimming with the pooches, the summer and rainy seasons call for taking extra care of your doggo.
Grooming is an important part of a dog’s health care. It not only helps check any nagging issues your dog may have but also makes for that much-needed bonding time. Bathing and grooming your dog not only keep your pets clean and healthy but you and your home as well.Even dogs with short, low-maintenance coats need regular brushing, bathing and nail trimming.A long-haired dog may also need clipping and hair trimming. While it may seem that your dog is taking care of those needs by himself, please try to have a routine for basic grooming – brushing, bathing, trimming, etc.
Dog grooming tips
These DIY pet grooming tips will help you establish an at-home grooming routine with your dog. They would also come in handy if you can’t afford expensive professional groomers or situations like COVID-19 lockdowns are not allowing you to visit them.
1. Water – Keeping yourself and your dog hydrated goes a long way in preventing heat strokes and promoting overall wellness.
2. Brushing your dog encourages healthy blood circulation to the skin, removes excess hair, and allows fresh, cool air into the coat. Also, watch out for ticks as you brush.An unruly coat may become a breeding ground for ticks and fleas.
Regular grooming with a brush or comb will help keep your pet’s hair in good condition by removing dirt, spreading natural oils throughout her coat, preventing tangles, and keeping her skin clean and free of irritation.
3. Bathing your doggo depends as much on her coat type as her outgoing nature. While it is ok if you bathe your dog at least once every 2-3 months, you may consider bathing more often if your dog spends a lot of time outdoors or has skin problems.
Keep allergies under control with regular shampooing. It removes spores, dust, dirt, and dander. Please ensure that you use a shampoo that is mild enough to not cause irritation to your dog and yet strong enough to eliminate germs and dandruff.
We recommend using shampoo and conditioners which have natural ingredients like Hibiscus that helps keep the coat healthy and shiny, and Neem, which relieves itching, redness, and irritation. These can help combat bacterial and fungal skin infections and help keep your pup’s coat smooth and shiny.
Watch out for tear stains under your dog’s eyes and also ensure to rinse your dog’s fur coat really well, so as to not leave any shampoo on the skin.
4. Drying – Use a towel to help your pooch dry himself. You may also try a blow dryer but remember to use it on a low heat setting and not pointing directly at your dog.
5. Massaging – Gently massage your pet as it helps promotes blood circulation, improves body functions and eases your dog’s tension by relaxing him. It also helps heal strains and sprains faster.
6. Dental Care – Bacteria and plaque-forming foods can cause build-up on your dog’s teeth. This can harden into tartar, potentially causing gingivitis, receding gums, and tooth loss. Regularly brushing your dog’s teeth, along with a healthy diet and plenty of chew toys, can go a long way toward keeping her mouth healthy. Dental cavities can lead to tooth loss.
7. Eye Care – Try checking your dog’s eyes for any cloudiness or inflammation that may indicate a health problem. Your dog’s eyes should be clear and bright, and the area around the eyeball should be white. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, please consult a vet at the earliest.
8. Ear Care – Clean your dog’s ears gently with a cotton swab, but never insert anything into your dog’s ear canal—as it may cause an injury or infection.
You may also want to check your dog’s ears for any foul odour or wax; if it looks something out of the normal – consult your vet!
9. Nail Care – Look out for the Clippers if your dog’s nails are clicking or getting snagged on the floor. Bent nails may cause discomfort to your dog’s paws.
10. Paw Care – Check your pet’s feet regularly to make sure they’re free of wounds, infections, or any foreign objects.
Click, Treat, Groom: Making Dog Grooming Relaxed and Enjoyable with Marker Training
Grooming your dog is crucial for their health, yet many pets (and owners) find it stressful. If your dog squirms, shies away, or growls at the sight of a brush or nail trimmer, you’re not alone. The good news: marker training—a powerful positive reinforcement method—can transform grooming sessions from a struggle into a positive, stress-free routine.
Understanding Marker Training
Marker training involves using a clear, predictable signal (like a clicker or a specific word such as “yes”) to “mark” the exact moment your dog does something right, immediately followed by a treat. This approach creates precise communication, making it easier for dogs to understand what’s expected and building trust and confidence—especially helpful for tasks that require calmness, like grooming.
Benefits of Marker Training During Grooming
- Reduces anxiety by making each grooming step clear and rewarding
- Encourages cooperation as dogs associate grooming tools with positive experiences
- Strengthens your bond through mutual trust and positive reinforcement
- Creates lasting positive behaviors for smoother grooming sessions in the future
Step 1: Pick Your Marker
Choose either a clicker or a consistent verbal marker such as “yes.” Both options are effective, but if your dog is sensitive to noises, a verbal cue may be more comfortable. What matters most is consistency—always use the same marker and follow it promptly with a reward.
Step 2: Teach the Marker’s Meaning (“Charging” the Marker)
Before using your marker with grooming, help your dog understand what it means:
- Find a distraction-free spot and gather high-value treats (think small pieces of chicken or cheese).
- Say your marker word or click, then immediately give a treat.
- Repeat 10-15 times per session over a few sessions until your dog looks for a treat after hearing the marker. Now, you’re ready to build on this foundation.
Step 3: Reward Spontaneous Good Behaviors
Start marking and rewarding natural actions, like sitting or lying down—even if you didn’t ask. This teaches your dog that their own behavior can earn a reward:
- Dog sits → Say “yes!” → Treat
- Dog lies down → Click → Treat
As your dog learns, they’ll begin offering behaviors on their own to earn rewards, creating a positive mindset for grooming sessions.
Step 4: Pair the Marker with Grooming Steps
Break grooming tasks into tiny, manageable steps. Mark and reward each stage:
| Grooming Action | Marker | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Touch brush to back | “Yes”/Click | Treat |
| Brush a small area | “Yes”/Click | Treat |
| Lift paw | “Yes”/Click | Treat |
| Touch nail trimmer | “Yes”/Click | Treat |
| Wipe ears or eyes | “Yes”/Click | Treat |
Move forward gradually—if your dog becomes anxious, return to a previous step. Let your dog’s comfort guide the pace.
Step 5: Gently Increase Duration
Once your dog handles brief grooming steps confidently, lengthen the time:
- Brush for 2 seconds, mark, reward
- Increase gradually—5 seconds, a full side, etc.
- Keep sessions short (5-10 minutes) and always end on a positive note
What to Avoid
Never force or punish your dog during grooming. Negative experiences can create lasting fear, make grooming more difficult, and harm your bond. Instead, stay patient and positive—even slow progress is still progress.
Expert Tips for Calm, Reward-Based Grooming
- Use small, irresistible treats for quick consumption
- Keep the mood upbeat—praise and gentle encouragement matter
- Stop the session before your dog becomes restless
- Practice regularly to make calm grooming a habit
By introducing marker training into your dog grooming routine, you’re not just making each session easier—you’re laying the groundwork for a lifetime of trust and positive association. With consistency, patience, and plenty of treats, even the most anxious dog can learn to enjoy brushing, nail trims, and more.
What’s your dog’s grooming routine like? Tell us in the comments