Dog grooming schedule made simple.
Pick your dog's coat type and home environment — we'll show brushing, bathing, professional groom, and nail-clip cadences. Skipping any of these comes back to bite you.
Coat type
Lifestyle
Suggested schedulefor a short & smooth coat
BrushWeekly
BathEvery 6–8 weeks
Professional groomRarely needed
Nail clipEvery 4–6 weeks
Teeth3+ times a week (daily ideal)
Ear checkWeekly — more if floppy-eared or swimmer
Muddy walks? Rinse paws and belly with plain water. Full bath only when truly dirty — not after every walk.
Why cadence matters.
- Skipping brushes lets mats form behind ears, under arms, and on the bum — once matted, the only humane fix is clipping (professional groomer territory).
- Over-bathing strips the natural oils that keep skin healthy. More than every 2 weeks is usually too often for most dogs.
- Long nails change paw posture and can cause lameness and joint pain. If you hear clicking on hard floors, they're too long.
- Ear cleaning matters most for floppy-eared dogs (spaniels, retrievers) and swimmers — warm, moist ear canals become infected fast.
First groom tip:book a puppy’s first professional groom around 16–20 weeks. A positive first experience shapes how they feel about grooming forever. Ask for a gentle, no-pressure introduction.
Grooming problem you can’t shift?
Ask CRO Mats, skin irritation, anxiety at bath time — CRO can talk you through specifics.