Curious? How to Groom Your Dog

01/22/2026 01/22/2026

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Hello dog lovers!

Today, as the title suggests, I'm bringing you an article focusing on grooming methods!!

What is the purpose of grooming anyway?

Now, for those who are experts on grooming and those who aren't.

Let's review what grooming actually means!

Grooming is the process of cutting a dog's hair with clippers, a grooming knife, or scissors to shape and groom the coat. Grooming is often performed from the following five perspectives:

Keeping the coat hygienic
Preventing injuries
Preventing heatstroke
Preventing fleas and ticks
For beauty and fashion

As mentioned above, grooming is done for a variety of purposes and benefits.

As the temperature rises, you'll likely be cutting your dog's hair more often with clippers to cool them down.

In addition, grooming also helps prevent sweat-related dermatitis and flea infestations.

When you first hear the word "trimming," you might think of shaping something, but it has many other meanings, so please use this as a reference!

What are the basic items and preparations for trimming?

If you're grooming your dog yourself, you'll need items tailored to your home. The necessary items vary depending on the breed of dog, so be sure to buy the right ones for your dog. ♪

For example, for long-haired dogs

Slicker
Comb
Pin brush

For short-haired dogs

Slicker
Bristle brush

For very short-haired dogs

Hair brush
Rubber brush

Make sure you have these essential items!

Also, be sure to get dog shampoo, dog conditioner, and a towel for wiping the dog off.♪

Brushing is essential before grooming, regardless of the breed.

Many dogs dislike being brushed, but the amount of pressure you use is crucial to alleviating their aversion. With any of the brushes mentioned above, the key to brushing is to trace the back of your hand when holding the brush and use gentle pressure without causing pain.

Make sure to brush your dog in a way that's right for you♪

In addition, brushing your dog before shampooing helps to evenly wash all of its fur. This also has the benefit of reducing shampoo residue on the skin and shortening the drying time, so be sure to brush your dog thoroughly before shampooing♪

Next, it's important to wear earplugs when shampooing.

To prevent water from getting into your pet's ears when rinsing out the shampoo, insert cotton wool or earplugs into their ears before shampooing. Be careful not to insert the earplugs too far into the ear, and insert them so that the ear canal is closed and the earplugs are visible.

The final step in preparation is to clip their nails and express their anal glands.

If possible, we recommend using guillotine-type nail clippers, but be careful not to cut too deep, as this can cause bleeding. It's recommended to actually watch videos and photos to determine the appropriate area before proceeding. Anal expression has a strong odor, so it's important to do it in the bathroom, where it can be rinsed off quickly. Both steps are difficult, so if they seem too difficult, it may be better to avoid forcing yourself and have your pet groomed at a pet salon or veterinary clinic.

How do I groom my pet myself?

When trimming, the steps and points to consider vary depending on the part of the body.

The "Hot Line" article roughly describes the process as follows:

1. Use clippers to trim around the paws

Start with the paws. Use clippers to trim any hair that sticks out from the paw pads. Cutting just enough to reveal the paw pads will give a neater look.

2. Use clippers to trim the area around the anus

Lift the tail and use clippers to cut the hair hanging over the anus. Be careful not to point the clipper blades at the anus. Gently trim the hair outside the anus.

3. Use clippers or scissors to trim the area around the face

If your dog is used to having their hair trimmed, use clippers. For dogs that are sensitive to noise or are not used to being clipped, use scissors to trim. Cutting with scissors held flat or with the tips positioned outside the center of the dog's face can prevent injury if the dog moves suddenly.

4. Cut the body using clippers or scissors

To cut the body, lift the clippers slightly and cut along the direction of the hair. Finish by trimming with scissors.

Also, trimming can be broadly divided into the following areas:

Face/head trimming
Neck/back trimming
Chest/belly trimming
Leg/groin trimming
Toe/paw trimming
Butt/tail trimming

The main trimming areas are divided into the six areas listed above.

Today, we'll be introducing some methods for trimming around the face. ♪

【Trimming Around the Ears】

When trimming around the ears, cut the long hairs growing inside and outside the ears.

The key to trimming is to avoid pointing the scissors toward the face. Be careful not to hit the ears or eyes, even if the dog moves.

A dog's ears are covered with fur, so use your fingers to determine where the "ears" end and the "fur" begins. The key is to comb through the fur, not the ears, and trim it little by little with scissors.