How Often Should You Groom Your Dog: No More Bath-Time Battle

I hear a lot of debate on the topic: how often should you groom your dog? While some believe it's daily or nothing, others are in the only if you have to camp. Never one for extremes, I wanted to find out how much grooming a dog really needs.

I remember the day distinctly. Bruno decided to roll in what I hope was mud. I had just finished cleaning the kitchen. I turned my back for five minutes—five—and came back to find a big, wet, proud-looking lab mix covered in something suspiciously earthy.

Pixie, of course, was clean and judging him from the porch.

And that’s when I realized it had been a while since we’d done a full grooming session—baths, nail trims, the works.

Was he trying to tell me something? Now you have to bathe me.

The Benefits of Regular Dog Grooming

In both humans and dogs, grooming isn't just about keeping your dog looking and smelling good. (Though a clean pup does get extra cuddles on the couch.)

It's about health—and not only skin and coat. With regular dog grooming, I can:

• Keep track of any spots or lumps of concern
• Inspect ears, paws, nails, and mouth
• Reduce the amount of hair I'm cutting out of the vacuum brush. My couch is happier with less lint roller action too!
• Seriously improve your dog’s mood and comfort as they're less likely to develop itches or allergies in hard-to-clean spots.

I’ve noticed Bruno gets a little spring in his step after a fresh brush and bath. And my terrier Pixie? She struts like she’s walking a doggy runway. She'd have a bath and brush every day if she could. But who has time for that?

Fortunately, I found out that a daily groom is probably not necessary. Here's what is...

How Often Should You Groom Your Dog?

It depends on their breed, coat type, and lifestyle. Here’s my quick dog grooming schedule guide:

Short-Haired Breeds (Boxers, Beagles, Labs like Bruno)

Low maintenance doesn't mean no maintenance.

• Brushing - Once a week will drastically reduce the shed you're dealing with.
• Bathing - Every 4–6 weeks (unless they find mystery puddles like Bruno)
• Nail Trims - Every 3–4 weeks
• Ears - Weekly checks, clean as needed
• Teeth - Check before nail trimming. Give them a dog bone 2-3 times a week, which eliminates plaque, keeps teeth healthy, and can reduce mouth bacteria by 60-80%...for less stinky breath.

Medium to Long-Haired Breeds (Golden Retrievers, Collies, Cocker Spaniels)

Tangles become mats faster than you think if you skip a brush session. If I brush Bruno with this frequency, it only takes a few minutes. So it's not a huge time commitment. It's just about sticking with the dog grooming schedule.

• Brushing: 2–3 times per week (daily during shedding season in the spring and fall)
• Bathing: Every 4–6 weeks
• Nail Trims: Every 3–4 weeks
• Ears: Weekly checks, clean as needed
• Teeth: Weekly. Give them a beef trachea chew to clean their teeth and gums naturally. I call these our natural toothbrushes. You can even make a regular dog treat after each brush session.

Double-Coated Breeds (Huskies, Shepherds)

These dogs lose their thick coat twice a year. And there's no mistaking when it happens, especially if you don't know how often to groom a dog with a double coat. So, brush frequently unless you and your couch like wearing fur as a fashion statement.

• Brushing: 3–4 times a week. Yes, they're a lot of work. And yes, these K9s are worth the fuss. They look absolutely amazing after a brush.
• Bathing: Every 6–8 weeks
• Nail Trims: Every 3–4 weeks
• Ears: Weekly checks, clean as needed
• Teeth: Give them a meaty marrow-filled dog bone 2-3 times a week to satisfy these big dogs' chewing instinct and keep their teeth in tip-top shape.

Curly Coats (Poodles & Doodles)

There's no easy way to say this. If you adopt a poodle or doodle, then dog grooming will become a hobby. These brush sessions may take 5-10 minutes. On a happy note: If you played with dolls or toy ponies when you were a child, you may find grooming one of these pups very nostalgic.

• Brushing: Daily or every other day
• Bathing & Trims: Every 4–6 weeks
• Nail Trims: Every 3 weeks
• Ears: Weekly checks, clean as needed
• Teeth: These discerning dogs prefer grass-fed beef rib dog bones, slow roasted to perfection.

Dog Grooming Tips to Make Life Easier

If you scoffed when I said I can brush a whole coat or trim Bruno's nails in 3-5 minutes, you may have a squirmer on your hands. If so, you may put it off because it seems like a chore.

Me? I have no excuses for skipping Bruno's latest grooming session. I just got busy and forgot. He decided to remind me in the only way he could—with a mud puddle.

So, here's the secret I use to never spend more than 3 minutes on a grooming session.

• Start young - Get puppies used to brushes, baths, ear/mouth inspections, and nail trims early. Practice dog socialization touching as early as possible. This also reduces vet anxiety. Note: I have 3 rescues, all socialized and trained in adulthood. It's possible.
• Use non-slip mats in the tub - Dogs hate sliding around and may fight you. They're not being difficult. They're scared.
• Keep it short and sweet - Don't let yourself get distracted by something on TV. Stay focused for 3-5 minutes and get this done. Even a patient dog will squirm if you expect them to sit 20-30 minutes while you glance away frequently at a heated reality TV argument.
• Praise and reward - Even if your reward is just verbal praise and a bone, it builds trust. But I use high value dog treats like beef lung bites. These not only promote calm behavior; they're also great for dog health, skin, and coat.
• Don’t wait too long - Regular grooming keeps everything manageable.
• Dog training - Teach essential dog commands like sit, stay, lie down, and come. These make grooming 10X easier.
• End on a high note - Consider tying dog bone chew sessions to grooming sessions. A meaty marrow bone is a substantial reward that makes Bruno look forward to grooming.

Dog Training and Grooming Go Hand-in-Paw

If your dog squirms during nail trims or bolts at the sight of the shampoo, it might be time to work on training your dog.

Learn how to effectively use high-value treats to reward calm behavior—and get more of it. See how to train a stubborn or hyper dog efficiently.

Why not join the 7-Day Dog Training Challenge? Your dog can learn commands that strengthen your bond and ability to cooperate during necessary activities like grooming, walks, vet trips, and visiting neighbors.

Sign up here:
👉 7-Day Dog Training Challenge

Final Thoughts: Bruno's Bath Overdue

Bruno is back to his clean, loveable self after a good bath. I've added some phone alerts for my dog grooming schedule so we don't forget again.

So now that I’ve bathed the mud off Bruno, trimmed Pixie’s princess nails, and handed out dog bones all around, I think we’re ready for next weekend’s adventures.

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