How do you groom a dog at home?
Brush, clean the face and paws, bathe, dry, brush again, then finish with a light spritz. It takes 30–60 minutes depending on their coat, and regular sessions make it easier each time.
How often should you groom your dog?
It depends on their coat. Use this as a guide but tailor to your dog's needs:
|
Coat type |
Example breeds |
Brushing |
|---|---|---|
|
Short and smooth |
Labrador, Staffie, Beagle |
Once a week |
|
Double coat |
Husky, German Shepherd, Collie |
2–3 times a week, daily when moulting |
|
Long or silky |
Shih Tzu, Yorkie, Cocker Spaniel |
Daily |
|
Curly |
Poodle, Cockapoo, Bichon |
Daily |
|
Wiry |
Border Terrier, Schnauzer |
Once a week |
Step 1: How should you brush a dog before a bath?
Before bath time, give your dog’s coat a thorough brush to remove loose hair, dirt and any knots or tangles.
How often you need to brush will depend on your dog’s coat. Long, thick and curly coats usually need more frequent brushing, while short-haired dogs may only need it a few times a week.
Always brush gently, particularly around sensitive areas like the ears, tummy and legs.
Choose the right brush for their coat: Bugalugs has a range of grooming brushes designed for different coat types and grooming needs, from removing loose and shedding hair to helping keep longer coats smooth and tangle-free.
Choosing the right brush for your dog’s coat can make brushing easier and more comfortable for both of you.
Top tip: If you come across a knot, don’t pull or brush aggressively. Use a suitable detangling product and gently work through the area.
Step 2: How do you clean a dog's face and paws?
Your dog’s face and paws can pick up plenty of dirt throughout the day, so they deserve a little extra attention.
Use our gentle Blueberry Spa Facial Wash, designed specifically for pets, to clean around the muzzle and face, taking extra care around the eyes.
For paws, a quick clean after muddy walks can help keep them fresh without needing to give your dog a full bath every time.
A no-rinse paw cleaner is particularly handy for those quick post-walk cleans.
Step 3: How do you bathe a dog?
Now for the main event… 🫧
How often your dog needs a bath depends on their coat, lifestyle and individual needs. Mud-loving dogs may need more frequent baths, while others can go longer between washes.
Choose a Bugalugs shampoo that's suited to your dog’s individual coat and skin needs. With a wide range of formulas available, from 3-in-1 and Deshedding shampoos to our Itch + Immunity range, there’s a shampoo to suit different grooming needs.
Thoroughly wet their coat with lukewarm water before massaging the shampoo through from the neck down, making sure you reach the whole coat.
Avoid their eyes, ears and mouth, and make sure you rinse thoroughly so there’s no shampoo residue left behind.
Step 4: How do you dry a dog after a bath?
After their bath, gently squeeze out excess water and towel dry their coat.
If your dog is comfortable with a dog-safe dryer, this can help speed up the process, particularly for thick or long coats. Just make sure the temperature is comfortable and keep the dryer away from their skin.
Once their coat is dry, give them another gentle brush to remove any remaining loose hair and catch any tangles that may have appeared during bath time.
Our Hydrating Detangling Sprays can be used as part of your grooming routine to help make brushing through the coat easier, while adding extra hydration to the coat.
Step 5. Finish with a fresh spritz
Want that fresh-from-the-groomer feeling?
A pet-safe cologne can be the perfect finishing touch to your grooming routine, helping your dog smell fresh between baths.
At Bugalugs, we have a wide range of dog colognes and deodorisers in a variety of fragrances, so there’s something to suit every dog and their human.
You only need a light spritz on the coat and always follow the product instructions.
Step 6: How do you keep your dog fresh between baths?
Grooming doesn't stop when bath day is over.
Regular brushing, quick paw cleans and checking your dog’s coat can all help keep them feeling fresh and comfortable between baths.
Making grooming part of your dog’s regular routine can also help them become more comfortable with being brushed, bathed and handled.
Remember, every dog is different, so their grooming routine should be tailored to their coat, lifestyle and individual needs.
Your at-home grooming checklist
Save this for your next grooming day:
✓ Brush their coat
✓ Clean their face
✓ Freshen up their paws
✓ Bathe with a suitable shampoo
✓ Dry thoroughly
✓ Brush through again
✓ Finish with a pet-safe cologne
✓ Keep brushing and freshening up between baths
Clean, fresh and happy - all from the comfort of home. 🐾
