The frequency of grooming your dog depends on a mix of variables, including breed, coat length and type, amount of time spent outside getting dirty, and climate. It also depends on how you ask a professional to groom your dog – a short puppy cut might mean a return trip isn’t required for several months – and whether you feel comfortable doing some touch-up grooming at home.
No matter whether you visit a professional with your dog every six weeks or three times a year, it’s best to do a little additional grooming at home. Cleaning teeth, trimming nails, brushing the coat, de-matting, monthly shampoos, checking ears, and freshening up private parts will make your canine pal more healthy, comfortable, and pleasant to live with.
For young puppies and dogs who have never been professionally groomed, you should take gentle and gradual steps to handle and brush your dog, touch feet and nails and offer treats, and even try running an electric toothbrush around the coat for dogs that will need to be clipped. Grooming is a bonding experience for you and your dog and will make the process more pleasant for the long run.