If you have a furry four-legged friend that needs a makeover, you may be wondering how long it will take until their fur is trimmed and brushed, nails cleaned, and all other hygienic tasks are performed. While the answer will vary from breed to breed and depending on the initial cleanliness of the dog, most estimates are that it will take about an hour, on average, to perform a thorough and proper dog grooming care routine on your pet.
Of course, if you have a short-haired chihuahua, it’s going to take you significantly less time than a larger breed with long, matted fur. In this guide, we’ll cover some of the basics of what you need to know about dog grooming, as well as some useful tools that can help speed up the process.
Basics of Dog Grooming
Many pet owners wonder how they can save money by grooming their animals at home. This provides other benefits as well, like a more familiar and comfortable environment for the animal, in which they can relax and receive better care from a person they are familiar with.
Let’s take a look at some of the tools you may want to have around to make the process flow more organically and ergonomically.
Dog Grooming Tubs
Dog grooming tubs usually have mechanically adjustable height, restraining hooks or leashes to keep the dog secure and comfortable, non-slip surfaces, and drains and hoses to minimize mess and cleanup time. These tubs create a safe environment to bathe your animal while saving you time and effort by keeping messes contained.
Dog Grooming Tables
These grooming tables come in a range of sizes, from stainless steel, fully adjustable tables that can fit even the largest dog breeds to simple wooden folding tables that are suitable for small lap dogs at home. These tables will help you keep the dog comfortably restrained, and provide an opportunity for a secure bonding experience while your pet is being brushed or trimmed.
These tools help you bond with your pet more effectively by creating a grooming environment, in which they know that they are secure and being taken care of. Having the owner present and not having to leave the comfort of their home will make grooming your dog a more enjoyable task for everyone.
Dog Grooming Techniques
Of course, every dog is different. Some may experience anxiety and take more time because of calm-down periods. With these animals, try different lighting, scented candles, soft music, or frequent treats.
For the average dog, the following techniques should be used to perform a proper grooming sequence on your pet:
Brushing and Trimming
Begin by firmly brushing out the dog’s fur, making sure to remove any mats or tangles. The goal is to remove excess hair and expose the dog’s skin to allow for more effective shampooing and the removal of dirt or built-up grime. Brushing the fur also provides benefits to the follicles and fur strands themselves, by making them stronger and more resilient.
If you are encountering tangles you can’t seem to get out, or have one of the long-hair breeds that require more maintenance, you might have to get out some clippers or scissors and give them a trim.
Bathing and Shampooing
Once the dog is fully wet, lather them up with dog shampoo and rub and wash their skin off with it. Try incorporating some dog massage techniques to effectively clean them while also providing proven benefits like relaxation, lower stress, and a stronger bonding process. Make sure to pay extra attention to cleaning your dog’s eyes and ears which may be prone to infection, as well as their paws and nails.
Blow Drying
Blow drying provides numerous benefits to dogs, especially those with thick coats that shed a lot. Blow drying your dog removes excess, damp hair, and dead skin that may be on the dog. If you don’t have one, a towel and sunny outside air should do the trick, but for the most effective grooming, consider buying a specialized dog blow dryer, as the ones sold for humans have different temperatures and power.
Finishing Touches
Once you’ve done this, your dog should be looking clean. Once they are dry, brush their fur again to get it looking perfect, using the trimmer or clippers again if you want to put any final touches on the coat.
Lastly, use dog nail clippers or a grinder to make sure their nails aren’t uncomfortable or too long. Make sure not to clip the nail too close so as not to injure the animal, and use lots of treats or other positive reinforcement to make this process go smoothly.
If you follow these steps, you should be able to perform a thorough and effective grooming routine on your dog in under an hour, leaving a satisfied animal along with a happy owner at the end of the process.
