A five-minute weekly grooming routine
Teach your dog to enjoy being handled, then fit brushing, paws and nails into one short routine you can keep up every week.
Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko · Pexels License · Pexels
In short
- Handling comes first: teach your dog that being touched earns rewards.
- Keep sessions short and stop while your dog is still relaxed.
- Brush often enough for the coat you have, and always end on a reward.
- If you are unsure about nail trims, ask a professional groomer to show you.
A grooming routine goes much more smoothly when your dog has learned that handling is a good thing. A few minutes a week, with rewards, turns brushing, paws and nails from a wrestling match into a calm habit. This is a handling and grooming routine, not an assessment of your dog.
Your five-minute routine
Settle your dog
Pick a quiet spot with good light and have rewards ready. A mat or non-slip surface helps your dog feel steady.
Handle first
Touch each paw, ear and the muzzle gently for a second or two, then reward. Gradually hold for longer. Stop before your dog pulls away.
Brush
Use the right brush for the coat and work in short strokes. Short coats may only need a weekly brush, while long or curly coats often need it more often. Reward in between.
Paws and nails
Hold each paw and, if you are trimming, take off a tiny amount at a time. Introduce the clippers or grinder slowly: show it, reward, then touch a nail, then a single snip. A groomer can show you the safest way.
End on a good note
Finish with a favorite reward or a short game. Your dog should walk away thinking grooming equals good things.
Questions
My dog hates being brushed. What can I do?
Go back a step. Reward just for the brush being near, then touching the coat once, then one stroke. Slow, short sessions with generous rewards change the feeling.
How often should I bathe my dog?
It depends on the coat, the lifestyle and how messy your dog gets. Ask your groomer what suits your dog, and make each bath a calm, rewarded routine.
General training and routine information from the Dogify team. It does not assess your dog or give advice about your dog's condition, and it is not a substitute for a qualified professional.
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