By Samantha Rue

Do-it-Yourself
Dog Grooming

A Guide to Bonding with Your Pet

By Samantha Rue

ENG 321: Beginning Technical Writing

Instructor Tracy Dalton
November 17, 2010
Missouri State University
Springfield, MO

TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of Illustrations...................................................................................................................... iii
Abstract ...................................................................................................................................iv
Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 1
Should I groom my own dog?.......................................................................................................... 2
Positive aspects ....................................................................................................................... 2
Negative aspects ...................................................................................................................... 2
Longhaired Breeds ................................................................................................................... 4
Shorthaired Breeds................................................................................................................... 4
Smooth-haired Breeds ............................................................................................................... 4
Hard-coated Terriers ................................................................................................................ 5
Poodles ................................................................................................................................ 5
Mixed Breed Dogs ................................................................................................................... 6
What equipment do I need?............................................................................................................ 7
Brush & Comb ........................................................................................................................ 7
Dog shampoo ......................................................................................................................... 7
Drop Cloth ............................................................................................................................ 8
Scissors ................................................................................................................................ 8
Clippers ............................................................................................................................... 8
Nail Trimming Supplies ............................................................................................................. 9
Lint Roller (optional) ............................................................................................................... 9
What are the steps that I should follow? ............................................................................................ 10
1.

Deciding on a location ....................................................................................................... 10

2.

Setting up equipment ........................................................................................................ 10

3.

Brushing and Combing....................................................................................................... 10

4.

Bathing ......................................................................................................................... 11

5.

Drying .......................................................................................................................... 11

6.

Trimming nails & cleaning ears............................................................................................. 12

7.

Using clippers & scissors .................................................................................................... 12

8. Cleaning up ....................................................................................................................... 13
Optional procedures ............................................................................................................... 13
Recommendations ...................................................................................................................... 15
Works Cited ............................................................................................................................. 16
Appendix A: Dog Breeds Listed by Coat Type .................................................................................... 17
Appendix B: Brushes and Combs .................................................................................................... 19

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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Petes Visit to the Groomer ...............................................................................................1
I Cut Petes Fur Myself .....................................................................................................1
Long Haired Dog ............................................................................................................4
Eddie has a Hard Coat ......................................................................................................5
The Four Most Common Poodle Clips ..................................................................................5
The Puli........................................................................................................................6
Combination Brush ..........................................................................................................7
Dog Shampoo.................................................................................................................7
Drop Cloths...................................................................................................................8
Clipper Marketed for Home Use .........................................................................................8
Professional Grade Pet Clipper ...........................................................................................9
Guillotine-Style Nail Clipper ..............................................................................................9
Pedi-Paws .....................................................................................................................9
Brushing .......................................................................................................................10
Pet Shower Sprayer..........................................................................................................11
Clipping Direction ...........................................................................................................12
The Quick .....................................................................................................................12
Cooling Spray.................................................................................................................13
Anal Glands ...................................................................................................................14
Your Dog Will be Amazed .................................................................................................14

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ABSTRACT
Do-it-Yourself Dog Grooming: A Guide to Bonding with Your Pet
By Samantha Rue
This guide reveals the numerous benefits of do-it-yourself (DIY) dog grooming and provides a step-bystep look at the basic grooming process. Grooming is a necessary part of caring for a dog, and the owner
can easily undertake this duty by following the ideas presented in this manual. DIY grooming has both
positive and negative aspects that need to be considered before a person decides to groom his or her dog.
After reviewing these aspects, and deciding to move toward grooming a dog, the dog owner will need to
analyze his or her pets coat type. There are three basic coat variations that exist among the various breeds
of dogs. Certain breeds (terriers, Poodles, Pulis, and Komodors in particular) are given different coat style
options. With each coat type, the grooming equipment and the methods of grooming vary. Descriptions of
required equipment is discussed so that the audience members will be able to purchase the proper tools to
fit their needs. Once the equipment is gathered, the reader can then proceed to the seven main steps in
grooming: deciding on location, brushing and combing, bathing, drying, trimming nails and cleaning the
dogs ears, clipping and using scissors, and cleaning up. Two optional steps are also discussed; these include
brushing a dogs teeth and expressing the anal glands. Grooming is a rewarding activity if undertaken in the
correct manner. By the owner performing coat maintenance, the dog will experience less stress than if
taken to a traditional groomer. Owners that are considering DIY grooming, can also find online videos to
further their knowledge of the grooming process for their particular dog breed.
Keywords: grooming, dog(s), pet(s), animal care

Page | iv

INTRODUCTION
Do you dread taking your dog to the groomer? I did. The trip didnt necessarily bother me, it was knowing
that the trip would scare my miniature schnauzer, Pete. The last time I picked him up from the groomer
was terrible. When I arrived, he immediately began whining and crying to try to get me to hold him. While
carrying him outside, he scratched me before I could get the car door open, drawing blood. The whole way
home, he kept trying to lick my arm as if to tell me how glad he was that I hadnt abandoned him. Finally
when we arrived at home, he spent the whole rest of the day sleeping; he had never slept that long during
the day.
Soon afterward, I talked with neighbors and friends and found that their dogs experienced the same kinds of
stress during a trip to a groomer. I decided that I would cut Petes fur myself because I could not stand the
thought of taking him back.
I have been clipping Petes fur for approximately three years now. I believe that one notices little difference
between my grooming and when he was professionally groomed (see below for comparison):

This is after Petes visit to the groomer.

This is after I cut Petes fur myself.

During the first year of grooming Pete, I experienced a few problems that I wish to help you avoid if you
decide to groom your dog. You will not only discover the many benefits of grooming your own dog, but
you will also learn the necessary skills to make your dog look good. I will begin by explaining the positive
and negative aspects of DIY dog grooming. From there, you will learn about different canine coat types.
Finally, I will guide you through the basic steps in grooming. Please keep in mind that details within these
steps will vary according to your dogs coat type.

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SHOULD I GROOM MY OWN DOG?

As with anything, there are both positive and negative aspects to do-it-yourself grooming. Grooming can
lead to a greater connection between you and your dog, but it can also create tension if it is not undertaken
in the proper way. It is recommended that you base your decision on what is best for both you and the dog.

Positive aspects
There are many positive reasons to groom your own dog. One of the most important is that it reduces the
amount of stress on the animal. Any dog, even one that is well socialized, can experience a great amount of
anxiety when visiting a groomer. While the dogs are waiting to be groomed, they are usually placed in
cages. This alone is frightening for some dogs. A pet will not understand why it is at the groomer, and why
its owner has left it with strangers who use scary sounding equipment like large hairdryers and clippers.
You may experience some anxiety as well. Some professional groomers will not let you stay at their place of
business and wait for your dog. The large majority of groomers are reliable and do well with dogs, but in
reality you never really know how your dog has been treated. The fear for both you and your dog is greatly
reduced if you groom the dog yourself.
If you are willing to groom your own dog, you do not have to worry about it riding in the car. I have a
friend who worries about taking her Yorkshire Terrier to the groomer because the dog gets carsick on the
way there. Also, some owners have elderly dogs that are hard to transport because they are irritable and do
not wish to be picked up and placed in a vehicle. It is easier to groom an older dog at home because you can
groom for shorter periods of time. When the dog starts to get uncomfortable, you simply take a break and
continue to groom at a later time.
DIY grooming can also help you save money. After a few months, the amount you save by grooming your
own dog will pay for the initial investment in grooming equipment. Before I started clipping my Miniature
Schnauzer, Pete, I had to pay $35 for each professional grooming session. There were many times after our
visit that I was not happy with certain aspects of his haircut. By doing it myself, I not only save money, but I
am much happier with his overall appearance.
By grooming your own dog, you can easily plan grooming sessions around your schedule. You dont have to
worry about the specific days and hours that a professional groomer is available. For example, you can clip
your dogs hair at 2:00 a.m. if you wish.

Negative aspects
The main negative issue occurs if you wish for your dog to have a complex hairstyle, such as that of a
Poodle. You will probably not be able to achieve a certain show dog look when grooming at home. People
that groom show dogs have had years of experience, so expecting this standard of quality from yourself is
unreasonable.
Keep in mind that your dog may not appear as professionally groomed the first few times that you attempt
to groom it yourself. This is especially true if your dog needs to be clipped. Clipping takes a little practice,
but as you and your dog get more comfortable with the procedure, it will become easier.

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If your dog has never been seriously groomed, and is now an elderly dog that needs some extra care, it may
not willingly cooperate. As they get older, some dogs can become rather irritable. You need to be aware
that your dog could potentially bite you. This does not mean that you should fear the dog, but rather that
you should respect warning signs the dog may give you such as growling and displaying aggressive body
language.
You must also be willing to take a break if you start to lose patience with the dog. If you feel yourself
getting frustrated, you need to stop for awhile and come back later. If you do not, you may be tempted to
hit the dog for not holding perfectly still while you are working on it.
Have you considered all of these positive and negative aspects of DIY grooming, and decided to groom your
dog? If so, you now need to look at your dogs coat and use the following section to help you determine the
amount of grooming that you will need to perform.

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DO SOME BREEDS NEED MORE GROOMING?

Some
me breeds require more grooming than others do. The amount of grooming depends both upon the
breed and your own preferences.
Since I do not plan on entering my dog Pete in a competitive dog show, I do not have to worry about
clipping him according to a particular
articular breed standard. My dogs ears were not cropped properly when he
was a puppy. If all of the hair on his ears is cut as short as it is supposed to be, it is very noticeable. Also, the
fur on the legs and belly of a Schnauzer
chnauzer is ideally left longer than the fur on the back. We live on a farm in
Southwest Missouri,, so the long leg hair is not practical. I make adjustments for these issues when I groom
him, which is something that a professional groomer may charge customers extra for. (The last time I had
Pete professionally groomed, they charged me an additional $5.00 to have the hair on his legs clipped).
Remember that iff you wish to show your dog, it is important to make sure that you follow the grooming
guidelines that are illustrated by the breed standard for the sponsoring organization.

Longhaired
haired Breeds
Longhaired
haired breeds, as you can imagine, require the most clipping and scissor
work. These dogs also require daily brushing and combing to keep the
their coat
from getting matted. With longhaired breeds, you can often see differences
between a pet and a show dog. As pets, many of these dogs have their hair cut
shorter than what the breed standard sugges
suggests. This helps decrease the
amount of time an owner spends trying to keep the coat clean and free of
tangles.

Shorthaired
haired Breeds

This maltese is an example of a

longhaired dog breed.
breed
(Source: http://www.akc.org
/breeds)

Many of the most popular dog breeds are either shorthaired or smooth-haired
breeds.. Shorthaired breeds typically have a more dense coat than their
smooth-haired counterparts. The shorthaired
horthaired dogs require a little trimming here and there, while smoothhaired breeds rarely see a pair of scissors. For example the Golden Retriever, a shorthaired breed, is often
slightly trimmed in order
rder to give the dog a well
well-groomed appearance (Stone and Stone 150).
150) The group of
shorthaired breeds consists mainly of terriers and retrievers.

Smooth-haired
haired Breeds
Smooth-haired breeds such as Beagles, require the least amount of grooming. These dogs often
o
have a very
sleek, shiny coat that dries very quickly when they get wet. They require little beyond bathing and an
occasional nail trimming. If you have a smooth-haired dog, you can disregard the upcoming step of clipping
the dogs hair (step 7). There
re are a few people that choose to shave off the whiskers of a smooth-haired
smooth
dog,
but I think you could perform this with scissors if you wish.

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Hard-coated Terriers
Many terrier breeds are double-coated; they have an outer
wiry coat and a soft undercoat. The amount of wiry hair that
each dog has can vary, even amongst littermates. To see the
difference, compare the following two Parson Russell Terriers
that have been on television: Wishbone and Eddie (see right).
Clipping causes the coat to lose color and texture (Stone and
Stone 175). With some terrier breeds, clipping makes the
coat grow in soft and curly (182). Therefore, if you own a
Eddie (left) from the NBC sitcom Fraiser has a
hard-coated terrier breed and wish to maintain the dogs
hard coat, while Wishbone (right) from PBS series
Wishbone has a soft coat.
rough coat texture, you cannot clip the dog. Instead, it must
(Sources: http://blog.newsok.com/ofinterest/
be stripped or plucked. To do this, a groomer will use
2009/09/22 and http://www.charlescountycafe.
either their fingers or a stripping knife to pull out the dead
com)
hair. According to The Stone Guide to Dog Grooming for All
Breeds, pet owners and most professional groomers do not bother to learn this grooming method because it
is time consuming and costly (175).

Poodles
The standard Poodle clip was originally developed for functionality. If a Poodles coat is left to grow
naturally, it can get over eight inches long (Stone and Stone 39). Poodles were bred to retrieve waterfowl
for hunters. Owners often clipped off part of the coat to reduce the amount of excess weight that the dog
had to carry around when wet. The sections of hair that were left on the dog were in the areas where vital
organs are located. The standard clip eventually became what we know today, a clip that is more cosmetic
than functional. The table below displays the difference between the four most common Poodle clips.
Currently, at events sponsored by the American Kennel Club, Poodles under 12 months may be shown in
the Puppy clip (far left). In all regular classes, Poodles 12 months or over must be shown in the English
Saddle (center left) or Continental clip (center right) (they also allow Poodles to be shown in the
Sporting clip (far right) in some events). The table below compares these fancy Poodle clips. A lot of
poodle owners, if not most of them, do not wish for their dog to look like the typical show dog. Many pet
Poodles appear in a version of the puppy clip because it is the most simplistic of the Poodle clips.
THE FOUR MOST COMMON POODLE CLIPS

PUPPY

ENGLISH SADDLE

CONTINENTAL
SPORTING
(Source: Ben Stone and Pearl Stone, Stone Guide to Dog Grooming for All Breeds 46, 50)

Page | 5

Corded Coat Breeds

One of the least common coat presentations is the corded coat. It
is usually seen only in the show ring among two dog breeds, the
Puli (see right) and the Komodor. This grooming style always
reminds me of dreadlocks,, but I have also heard some people
describe it as mop-like. This manual
nual does not further discuss
cording because it is a relatively rare and somewhat difficult
practice. In fact, grooming
rooming experts Ben Stone and Pearl Stone
write that with cording it is easier to show someone in a few
minutes working a dog what cannot be eeasily expressed in many
pages of written instructions (114).

Mixed Breed Dogs

The Puli on top has been brushed, while the

Puli on the bottom has been corded.
(Source: Ben Stone and Pearl Stone,
Stone Guide to Grooming for All Breeds 121)

With a mixed breed dog, there is no standard to adhere to. The best way to decide how to groom a mixed
breed is to try to figure out what kind of purebred that the dog best resembles
sembles and go from there. This is a
lot easier if you know a little about the family history of the dog. If your dog were a German Shepherdcross, for instance, the dog would probably look best if his or her hair were styled like a German
Shepherds.
If you still are not sure which coat type your dog has, you can refer to Appendix A: Dog Breeds Listed by Coat
Type at the end of this manual to help you find out. Once you are able to determine your dogs coat type,
you can start acquiring the grooming eq
equipment that is best suited for your purposes.

Page | 6

WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED?

When it comes to equipment, most grooming items are relatively inexpensive. Many can be found at any of
the typical big-box stores
res such as Walmart or Target; however, employees at a pet store will more readily
answer any questions that you may have about an item
item.. It is also helpful to look up reviews online before
you purchase one of the more expensive items, such as a pair of pet clippers.

Brush & Comb

There are many different types of combs and brushes available.
For a dog with short or smooth hair, a combination brush (see right) is
probably all that you would need. For a long haired dog, you may need
multiple combs and brushes.
Typical brushes and combs for long haired dogs include, dematting
combs, shedding rakes, and shedding blades. A dematting comb, as the
name implies, helps youu break up mats within a dogs coat. Shedding
rakes and shedding blades are used on some breeds to help remove the
loose fur in a dogs undercoat.

This combination brush by Top

Paw features a pin brush on one side,
and a bristle brush on the other.
(Source: http://petsmart.com)

Other common brushes and combs include a flea comb, wire slicker
brushes, and what I call a simple comb.
Flea combs can either have metal or plastic bristles. They are used to
help remove fleas from a dogs coat. Wire slicker brushes are available in hard or soft wires, and can be
used on any dog. However, if your dog has a relatively short, thin coat you wou
would
ld want to use a softer
brush. If you use a hard wired brush, and do not brush very gently, you can actually cause brush burns
burns
(Stone and Stone 264). Simple combs are metal combs that feature a fine toothed comb on one end and a
more coarse toothed comb on the other. (If you would like to see photos of the different brush types that I
mentioned, please refer to Appendix B: Brushes and Combs
Combs).

Dog shampoo
Dog shampoo
hampoo comes many variations. Some shampoos are
designed only for puppies, while there are others that are for
dogs with sensitive skin. I have also seen shampoo that is
supposed to help repel fleas and ticks, and one type that is
specifically for white dogs. Many owners wonder whether or
not it is okay to use shampoo intended for humans on dogs.
Human shampoo is not toxic to dogs, but you would not
normally want to use it on your pet. Sometimes the
fragrances used in it can irritate a dogs skin. I have us
used
tear-free baby shampoo on rare occasions without
difficulty, but I would never rely on it for an extended
period of time because it could potentially cause the dogs
skin to become dry and irritated.

Dog shampoo is available in a variety of colors and

scents.
(Source: http://petsmart.com)

Page | 7

Drop Cloth
Beginning the clipping process with a drop cloth can make cleanup much
easier. As you can see from the photo at right, Pete leaves a lot of hair
behind after being clipped. When I started clipping him, I did not use a
drop cloth. I ended up sweeping up most of the hair, and then I would go
around with a canister vacuum in a vain attempt to pick up all of the smaller
fuzz. When you use a drop cloth, you can simply pick up the cloth and
dispose of the majority of the fur.

Scissors

Drop cloths are helpful because a

dog can leave behind a lot of hair.

Scissors come in two basic types: barber scissors and thinning shears.
Barber scissors are used to cut the hair, while thinning shears are used to
thin the coat. You should be able to use the same kind of scissors that are used on humans. This means that
you can either purchase scissors that are sold in a pet care aisle or you can buy scissors from a beauty supply
store. I suggest that you try different pairs to see which is the most comfortable for you to use.

Clippers
One of the most important things that I have learned in the years I have been grooming my dog, is that you
need to be willing to invest in a good pair of animal clippers. You will need to continue grooming your dog
throughout its whole life, so if your dog needs to be clipped you should try to find a pair of pet clippers that
you are comfortable with using. There are two basic types of pet clippers: home-use clippers and
professional grade clippers.
Home-Use Clippers
Pet clippers that are marketed for home use often come with plastic
blade attachments and sometimes even a pair of scissors (see right).
When I started grooming my dog, I purchased one of these kits from
Walmart for under $50. I soon regretted the decision. The clippers
would constantly hang up, causing the dog and me to jump. I would
get frustrated because I could not get them to work correctly, and Pete
would get scared because he thought that I was mad at him. I might
have used this pair of clippers on two separate occasions before
switching another inexpensive clipper. I thought that maybe it was the
brand of clippers that was the problem. For a few months they worked
without many issues, but eventually they started to hang up in a similar
way.

The Andis Quick-Cut 11 piece

Clipper Kit is an example of a
clipper marketed for home
use.
(Source: http://petsmart.com)

Professional Grade Clippers

After essentially fighting with my clippers once every few weeks, I
finally called a local pet store and asked them to recommend a set of
clippers for me to purchase. They suggested a professional grade clipper, which I bought later for around
$150. It was one of the best investments that I have ever made; I was amazed at how much difference a
Page | 8

good pair of clippers makes. Unlike home use clippers, professional grade
clippers (see right) are constructed of high quality materials, and they cut
through the fur with no resistance.
The only issue that I had in switching to professional grade clippers is that
they continually blow air out of small vents located on the sides of the
clippers to help keep the blade cool. Since my old clippers did not do this, I
had to get Pete used to having the air blow in his face on occasion. However,
a potential disadvantage to professional grade clippers is that if you want to
adjust the cutting length of the clippers, you have to purchase a different
sized blade. This type of clipper cannot use the plastic adjustment heads
that are for home use clippers.

The Oster Turbo A5 is an example

of a professional grade pet
clipper
(Source: http://petsmart.com)

Nail Trimming Supplies

There are two different ways that you can trim your dogs nails. You can
either clip the nails or grind them down. If you decide to clip them, there are
many different types of clippers available. One of the most popular is the
guillotine-style clipper (see right). Many people believe that it is easier to use
than other types of nail trimmers. After you clip the nails, you will need to
file off the rough edge by using a standard nail file.
If you are using a pair of nail clippers, you will also need to have some
styptic powder on hand. If you cut the nails too short, you risk cutting the
quick. The quick is a blood vein that runs through the center of each nail.
Styptic powder helps stop any bleeding. It usually comes in a small
container with a screw-on cap.

A guillotine-style nail
clipper is one of the easiest
nail clippers to use.
(Source: http://
www.petsmart.com)

Some people prefer to use nail grinders, such as Pedi-Paws (bottom right).
By using a nail grinder, you do not have to worry about making the nails
bleed. However, a grinder takes considerably more time than using clippers.

Lint Roller (optional)

You will get fur on your clothes if you clip your dog. I usually get it all over
me, and I have found that a lint roller (or any similar pet hair removal tool) is
a handy tool to get most of the fur off of my clothes. I have also used a lint
roller to pick small clumps of hair up off of the floor that I missed during
cleanup.
When you have gathered all of your new grooming equipment, you can start
cleaning up your dog.

The Pedi-Paws tool is

used to grind down a
dogs nails.
(Source: http://www.
petsmart.com)

Page | 9

WHAT ARE THE STEPS THAT I SHOULD FOLLOW?

The following set of instructions discusses the steps in grooming a dog that requires clipping, such as a long
haired dog, a Poodle, or a short-haired terrier breed (like my dog Pete). If you have a dog with short or
smooth hair, you can simply skip any steps that may be unnecessary for the breed. For example, if you own
a Beagle, you will not need to clip the dog and chances are that you may not even need to use scissors on it.

1. Deciding on a location
1) Choose the room in your home where you are going to groom your dog.

You can pick different locations for different parts of the grooming process.
2) Consider the following issues when choosing a location:

Brushing and combing can be done anywhere.

Bathing must be done in a room with a water source.

Pet hair is difficult to remove from carpeted floors.

2. Setting up equipment
1) Set up as much of your equipment as possible before you begin grooming.
2) Bring a small table into the room if you would like to have your dog stand on it while you clip the
dogs fur.
3) Plan so that you do not leave your dog unattended while you rush to get something.

Note: Prolonged grooming can often become tedious, so if you would like to listen to some
music while grooming you should retrieve the necessary items during this phase.
4) Bring your dog into the room and shut any doors so that it cannot run into another room when it
gets tired of being groomed.

3. Brushing and Combing

Brushing and combing will vary depending upon your dogs coat type.
These steps are for basic brushing of a dog like a Golden Retriever:
1) Start at the dogs back legs and use a brush to brush out a section
of hair.
2) Comb the same section of hair that you just brushed, in order to
remove any tangles that the brush missed.
3) Move toward the dogs head as you continue this pattern of
brushing and combing.
This woman is brushing her dog.
(Source: http://www.aspca.org)

Page | 10

4. Bathing
1) Make sure that you have removed any tangles from the dogs coat by brushing and combing. (If the
coat is tangled then becomes wet, the tangles will become mats.)
2) Spread a towel out on the floor in front of the bathtub to place the dog on when you remove it
from the water, then place a rubber bathmat in the bottom of
the tub to help keep the dog from slipping and potentially
falling.
3) Fill the tub with a couple of inches of lukewarm water, and
then place the dog in the water.
4) Use a plastic cup or pitcher to wet the dog.

Most pet stores now sell sprayer attachments that

5)

6)
7)
8)

attach to your shower head like the one in this photo

(right). If you have one of these, you can bathe your
dog in a shower stall instead of a bathtub.
Begin to work the dog shampoo into the coat. Start at the base
This pet shower sprayer
of the dogs head and work toward its tail.
attaches to a standard shower head.
(Source: http://petsmart.com)

It is sometimes hard to not to get water or shampoo in
the dogs eyes, ears, and nose; to help avoid this, use a
damp washcloth on the dogs face.
Rinse the dog and try to get all of the shampoo out of the coat.
Apply coat conditioner if necessary. Use the same technique you used to apply the shampoo.
Remove the dog from the bathtub, and place it on the towel that you placed on the floor during
Step 2.

Helpful Hint: If your dog likes to act silly while being bathed, it might help for you to put a floatable
toy in the water during the bath to help distract the dog (American Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals).

5. Drying
1) Use a towel to squeeze as much water from the coat as you can.
2) Let the dogs coat air-dry or use a blow dryer on a warm or cool setting to finish drying the dog.

Caution: You can accidentally burn your dog while using a blow dryer; make sure you
move the aim of the dryer around frequently to avoid hurting your pet.
3) Make sure that you thoroughly dry any dog that has loose or wrinkly skin (like a Pug) because dirt
and bacteria within the folds can cause irritation and infection (American Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals).

Note: If he goes outside immediately after a bath, Pete always heads for the nearest patch of
dirt to roll in, so I suggest that you do not let your dog outside to play until it is dry.

Page | 11

6. Trimming nails & cleaning ears

When trimming a dogs nails you have two different options, you can either use a nail trimmer or a nail
grinder. I prefer the grinding method. My dog has black nails, making it impossible for me to see exactly
where the quick is. The quick is a blood vein that runs through the nail (see
right); if your dog has light colored nails, you can easily see this vein.
Using a Trimmer
1) Begin by firmly grasping the dogs foot.
2) Hold the dogs foot towards you, take the clippers and carefully trim
each nail.

Avoid hitting the quick when you trim.

If you accidentally hit the vein, apply styptic powder to the nail
to help stop the bleeding.
3) Use a nail file to soften the edges of the now-shorter nails.

Try to avoid hitting the

quick when you trim a
dogs nails.
(Source: Ben Stone and
Pearl Stone, Stone Guide
to Grooming for All Breeds
30)

Using a Grinder
1) Begin by firmly grasping the dogs foot.
2) Hold the dogs foot towards you, and use the nail grinder to grind off the excess nail.

Cleaning the Ears

Swab the inside of your dogs ear with a cotton ball that has been dipped in mineral oil or
rubbing alcohol.

Caution: Never use cotton swabs to clean inside the ear.

7. Using clippers & scissors

It is often helpful to have a picture that is similar to what you want
your dog to look like when you are clipping the dog.
1) Turn on your clippers and let the dog get used to the
sound of them.
2) Lay the clippers against your dogs side (not cutting the
fur) so that it can become familiar with the vibration of
the clippers.
3) Use the blade of the clippers to cut off any unnecessary
hair.

Clip in the direction of hair growth.

Note: Make sure that you shave with the direction

of the hair. Shaving against the grain, can cause ingrown hair.
4) Keep track of how warm the blade of your clippers is getting.

Warning:

The blades will get hot after a long period of time. You should either stop and
let them cool down, or use a cooling clipper spray (see top right on following page) on the
clippers.

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5) Clean your clippers with a disinfectant clipper spray after clipping around
the genital and anal areas.
6) Use your scissors to cut off hair in small or delicate areas, such as around
the face.

8. Cleaning up
After cutting a dogs hair, you will need to pick up all of the hair.
1) Pick up your drop cloth and dispose of the hair.
This cooling
spray cools and

In the spring, I sometimes save a few tufts of it to put outside for
disinfects clipper
blades.
birds to use in their nests.
(Source:
2) Use a canister vacuum or broom to cleanup any hair that remains on the
http://www.
petsmart.com)
floor.

If you clipped your dog, you will probably have dog hair all over
you, so you may want to take a shower (or at least change clothing). You may also want to
bathe your dog to remove any loose clippings.

Optional procedures
There are two procedures that most owners do not feel comfortable with performing: brushing their
dogs teeth and expressing a dogs anal glands. There are conflicting opinions about whether each these
actions is a necessary step in dog grooming. You can decide to attempt either or both of these if you
deem them to be important to your dogs overall well-being.
Brushing teeth
Brushing a dogs teeth is not something that I am very experienced with. Instead of brushing his teeth, I
provide Pete with dental chews and feed him dry dog food to cut down on the plaque buildup. If your
dog eats only soft, canned food it will probably need to have its teeth brushed.
Warning: The toothpaste that people use is not edible. A dog will swallow the toothpaste, and it
could cause the animal to end up with an upset stomach. Never use toothpaste for humans on a dog;
instead, purchase toothpaste that is specially formulated for dogs.
When you begin process, I suggest that you repeat the first couple of steps for a few days. Do not move
on to the next step until the dog is very comfortable with what you are doing.
1) Place some of the dog toothpaste on your finger and let your dog lick it off so that it can get
used to the taste.

If the dog does not like the taste, you may need to try a different flavor or brand of
toothpaste
2) Apply the toothpaste to your finger and then rub the paste on your dog's teeth to get the
dog used to something rubbing on its teeth.

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3) Put toothpaste onto the brush you plan to use and let the dog lick the toothpaste off. When
your pet is comfortable with this, gently lift the upper lip and attempt to brush a few of the
teeth.
4) Repeat daily, and slowly increase the number of teeth you are brushing.
Expressing the anal glands
Have you ever seen your dog scoot his or her bottom on the ground?
Someone might tell you that it is because the dog has worms, but this
is not true. Dogs actually have a scent gland on either side of their
anus. When a dog has a bowel movement, the glands excrete a foul
smelling liquid to help lubricate the anal opening. The scent is
transferred to the feces, which helps other dogs in the area know who
has been by lately. If a dogs diet is lacking in fiber, his or her feces
will not be hard enough to naturally empty the scent glands; this can
lead to the glands becoming impacted. There are conflicting
opinions over whether or not the anal glands should be expressed.
You should consult your veterinarian before attempting to express
your dogs scent glands on your own.

This image shows you where the anal

glands are located.
(Source: http://findavet.us/blog/
2009/11/tail-tips-your-dogs-analglands)

After following these basic grooming steps, give your dog

some praise and a treat. You should then have a clean and
happy dog (see right).
Feel free to take a photo to commemorate your first
grooming session together. As you continue to groom
your dog throughout the upcoming years, you may look
back at the photo and be surprised at how much your skill
has improved.

Your dog will be amazed by its beautiful appearance.

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RECOMMENDATIONS
Pete is much happier with our grooming sessions than I believe he ever would have been with visting a
professional groomer. I have to clip his fur about once a month, so in the past few years we have spent a lot
of time together during haircuts.
You can take the information you have learned about coat types, grooming equipment, and the grooming
process and move on toward making your own dog beautiful. By doing so, you can save money and cut
down on stress for you and your dog. This also gives you an opportunity to spend more time with your dog,
which leads to a greater bond between the two of you.
If you would like more information on this topic, I recommend that you use an online search engine, such as
Google, to search for videos on how to groom your particular breed of dog. There are many videos that
have been created by both professional and amateur groomers, so it is likely that you will be able to find an
instructional video that fits your skill level. If you prefer a more hands-on approach to learning, I suggest
checking with a local college or university to see if they offer a community education course on dog
grooming.
Grooming sessions will go faster and your dogs appearance will improve as you continue practicing. The
first few times I cut Petes hair, I was thrilled by how much he seemed to appreciate his shorter hair. This
feeling, for me, was more important than if his hair was perfectly trimmed, and in place. Hopefully, after
experiencing this feeling yourself, you will agree.

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WORKS CITED
American Kennel Club. AKC Meet the Breeds: Poodle. AKC. AKC. 27 March 1990. Web. 22 Oct. 2010.
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Groom Your Dog. ASPCA. ASPCA. 2010.
Web. 22 Oct. 2010.
Stone, Ben, and Pearl Stone. The Stone Guide to Dog Grooming for All Breeds. New York: Hungry Minds, 1981.
Print.

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APPENDIX A: DOG BREEDS LISTED BY COAT TYPE

The following information has been taken from The Stone Guide to Dog Grooming for All Breeds, by Ben Stone
and Pearl Stone.

Longhaired Breeds
Afghan Hound
American Water Spaniel
Bedlington Terrier
Belgian Sheepdog
Belgian Tervuren
Bernese Mountain Dog
Bichon Frise
Borzoi
Bouvier Des Flandres
Briard
Brittany Spaniel
Chow Chow, Rough
Clumber Spaniel
Cocker Spaniel
Collie, Rough
Dachshund, Longhaired
English Cocker Spaniel

English Setter
English Springer Spaniel
English Toy Spaniel
Field Spaniel
Gordon Setter
Great Pyrenees
Irish Setter
Irish Water Spaniel
Irish Wolfhound
Japanese Chin
Keeshond
Kerry Blue Terrier
*Komondor
Kuvasz
Lhasa Apso
Maltese
Newfoundland

Old English Sheepdog

Otter Hound
Papillon
Pekingese
Pomeranian
*Puli
Saint Bernard, Longhaired
Scottish Deerhound
Shih Tzu
Silky Terrier
Skye Terrier
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
Sussex Spaniel
Tibetan Terrier
Welsh Springer Spaniel
Yorkshire Terrier

* These breeds can also be considered as Corded Coat Breeds

Shorthaired Breeds
Affenpinscher
*Airedale Terrier
Akita
Alaskan Malamute
Australian Cattle Dog
*Australian Terrier
Belgian Malinois
*Border Terrier
Brussels Griffon
*Cairn Terrier
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Chow Chow, Smooth
Curly-Coated Retriever
Dachshund, Wirehaired

*Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Flat Coated Retriever
German Shepherd Dog
German Shorthaired Pointer
German Wirehaired Pointer
Golden Retriever
*Irish Terrier
Labrador Retriever
*Lakeland Terrier
*Norfolk Terrier
Norwegian Elkhound
*Norwich Terrier
Saint Bernard, Shorthaired
Saluki

Schipperke
*Schnauzer, Giant
*Schnauzer, Miniature
*Schnauzer, Standard
*Scottish Terrier
*Sealyham Terrier
Siberian Husky
Welsh Corgi, Cardigan
Welsh Corgi, Pembroke
*Welsh Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
*Wire Fox Terrier
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

* These breeds can also be considered as Hard Coated Terriers

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Smooth-haired Breeds
American Foxhound
American Staffordshire Terrier
Basenji
Basset Hound
Beagle
Black and Tan Coonhound
Bloodhound
Boston Terrier
Boxer
Bull Terrier
Bulldog
Bullmastiff
Chihuahua, Smooth

Collie, Smooth
Dachshund, Smooth
Dalmatian
Doberman Pinscher
English Foxhound
French Bulldog
Great Dane
Greyhound
Harrier
Ibizan Hound
Italian Greyhound
Manchester Terrier
Mastiff

Miniature Pinscher
Pointer
Pug
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rottweiler
Smooth Fox Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Toy Manchester Terrier
Vizsla
Weimaraner
Whippet

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APPENDIX B: BRUSHES AND COMBS

Shedding Rake

Wire Slicker Brushes

Dematting Comb

Shedding Blades

Flea Combs

Simple Combs

Images source: http://www.petsmart.com

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