Essential Tools for DIY Dog Grooming

Tired of watching your dog’s anxiety levels creep higher every time you drive them to the groomers? There’s an easy workaround — learning how to groom your dog yourself.

It will take time and practice, but you can do it as long as you have the proper tools at your disposal. Here’s a look at some of the tools and products pet owners need to become fully-fledged DIY dog groomers.

Dog Washing Attachments

Make bath time a less time-consuming and more enjoyable experience for you and your pup with a dog-washing shower attachment. Devices like the Waterpik PPR-252 Pet Wand Pro Shower Sprayer connect to your shower or garden hose, and make it easy to wash your dog in a gentle and controlled way.

Look for attachments you can operate with one hand so that you always have another hand free to calm your pet. Something like the Aquapaw Pet Bathing Tool is entirely one-handed, and lets you brush and rinse a dog’s coat at the same time. 

Dog Brushes and Combs

The style of brush or comb you use to groom your dog will largely depend on their breed and hair type. Some brushes are perfectly suited to all (or at least most) kinds of dogs and dog hair, like the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush. It’s made for all dog hair types. When you’re done, there’s a button on the handle that retracts the brush’s bristles for easy wipe-away cleaning. 

Of course, there are plenty of options for combs and brushes made specifically for certain kinds of dog hair. Short-hair combs like this Pet Neat Pet Grooming Brush feature small, wiry bristles that can remove dead hair and tangles. Brushes for long-hair dogs typically have long, open bristles designed to gently coax out mats, like the Paw Brothers Slicker Dog and Cat Grooming Brush.

Dog Grooming Table

Often, the most challenging part of grooming a dog is keeping them still and under control for an extended period. Dog grooming tables provide a controlled, elevated environment where you can secure your dog and get to work.

Keep in mind that there are different sizes of grooming tables for different sizes of dogs. So if you’re dog is on the larger side, go with a sturdy table like Yaheetech’s 32-inch Foldable Pet Dog Grooming Table.

Scissors and Clippers

Cutting a dog’s hair definitely requires a more practiced hand. If you feel comfortable with it, and don’t mind your dog’s hair looking a little wonky while you get the hang of it, it could save you a good chunk of money. However, it’s a really bad idea to go cheap when you’re buying clippers or shears for your dogs. Inexpensive blades will bind and pinch, which can make a haircut much more painful for your pet.

Investing in blades that professional dog groomers use, like Andis Professional Animal Grooming Clippers and Andis Straight Shears, might cost more upfront. But it will make the haircut experience much more enjoyable for you and your dog.

Nail Care

Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed is maybe the trickiest aspect of grooming a dog. You can use a set of pet nail clippers, but be careful — make sure you only clip the nail and not the pink “quick,” or the core of the nail.

If your dog isn’t freaked out by the noise, using a nail grinder like the ConairPRO Professional Dog Nail Grinder is a much more controlled and precise way to gradually file a dog’s nails back without the risk of clipping too deeply.