Dog Grooming 101: The Basics Every Owner Should Know

Why Grooming Matters

Grooming is preventative healthcare. Regular brushing prevents painful matting, bathing removes allergens and parasites, and ear cleaning prevents yeast infections. It also gives you a chance to check your dog’s body for lumps, bumps, or skin issues.

1. Brushing: The Most Important Task

How often you brush depends entirely on your dog’s coat type.

• Short coats (Pugs, Beagles): Once a week with a rubber curry brush or hound glove to remove loose hair and distribute skin oils.
• Double coats (Husky, Golden Retriever): 2-3 times a week. Use an undercoat rake to reach the dense lower layer of fur, especially during shedding season (blowing coat). Never shave a double-coated dog; it ruins their natural temperature regulation.
• Curly/Wiry coats (Poodles, Doodles, Terriers): Daily or every other day. These coats don’t shed much, but they mat easily. You must use a slicker brush followed by a metal greyhound comb to ensure you are brushing all the way down to the skin, not just the top layer.

2. Bathing: How Often is Too Often?

Dogs do not need to be bathed as often as humans. Over-bathing strips their skin of natural oils, leading to dry, flaky skin and a dull coat.

For more on this topic, see our guide on Dog Microchipping: Everything You Need to Know.

General Guidelines:

• Most dogs: Once every 4-8 weeks is sufficient.
• Smelly/Muddy dogs: Bathe as needed, but try to use just water or a very mild, oatmeal-based dog shampoo.
• Skin conditions: Follow your vet’s instructions (some medicated shampoos require bathing twice a week).

For more on this topic, see our guide on Dog First Aid Basics Every Owner Should Know (2026).

Bathing Tips:

• Always use dog-specific shampoo. Human shampoo (even baby shampoo) is formulated for a different pH level and will irritate a dog’s skin.
• Place a non-slip mat in the tub.
• Avoid getting water directly in the ears or eyes.

3. Ear Cleaning

Dogs with floppy ears (Spaniels, Hounds) or dogs that swim frequently are prone to ear infections because their ear canals trap moisture and lack airflow.

How to clean:

1. Use a veterinarian-approved ear cleaning solution.
2. Squeeze a generous amount into the ear canal.
3. Massage the base of the ear for 20-30 seconds. You should hear a squishing sound. This breaks up the wax and debris deep inside.
4. Let the dog shake their head (stand back!). This brings the debris up from the horizontal canal.
5. Wipe the visible part of the ear with a cotton ball or soft cloth. Never insert a Q-tip into a dog’s ear canal; you can rupture the eardrum or pack debris further down.

4. Eye Care

Some dogs, especially flat-faced breeds (Shih Tzus, Pugs) or white dogs (Maltese), get tear stains or crusty buildup in the corners of their eyes.

• Use a warm, damp cloth to gently wipe away crust.
• For tear stains, ensure you are keeping the hair around the eyes trimmed.
• If you notice excessive redness, green/yellow discharge, or the dog is pawing at their eye, see a vet immediately. Eye issues can deteriorate rapidly.