If you have the time and the interest in learning how, you can easily groom your dog at home rather than taking it to a professional groomer. There’s nothing to worry about when it comes to using dog clippers—as long as you have some idea of what you’re doing, your pup’s fresh new ‘do will turn out just fine!

Here are some tips from a veterinarian in D’Iberville, MS to help make the home grooming process a lot easier:

• Bathe the dog first: Bathing and brushing your dog before you begin cutting will help you to get rid of tangles and clumps of hair that would make the process significantly more difficult otherwise, and also saves the dog from the pain of cutting out those clumps.
• Gather your tools: You will need a hair clipper, a comb and a slicker brush. Depending on the type of hair your dog has, you may need a fairly heavy-duty rake comb.
• Keep the atmosphere calm: A lot of dogs actually enjoy the grooming process, but just in case, you should make the atmosphere as calm and soothing as possible. The quieter the better—loud noises can surprise or distress your dog, and you do not want them to associate grooming with stressful occurrences.
• Go slowly: If you attempt to push the clipper too fast, not only do you run the risk of cutting too quickly and hurting the dog, but you will also leave behind lines in the cuts that will just look unsightly. You should also ensure you are going in the right direction; clip with the grain rather than against, otherwise you won’t be able to achieve that smooth, natural-looking coat.
• Become familiar with your dog’s hair: Before you begin the grooming process yourself, it is a good idea to go to a professional groomer just once to have them walk you through the process and give you tips for how you can better groom your specific breed.
• Regularly check how hot the clippers are: If the clippers get too hot during particularly long grooming sessions, you run the risk of burning your dog. If the clippers do get too hot, you should either switch the blades, get a different clipper, use clipper lubricant or cooler or simply take a break from using that blade until it cools.
• The earlier you start, the better: You want your dog to get used to the grooming process as early as possible so they know it is nothing to fear, and so they will always behave well when getting clipped. The earlier in your pup’s life you begin the clipping process, the better.

Generally, grooming your dog takes about 15 to 20 minutes, though certain types of dogs or types of coats can add some complications that make the process go a bit longer. For more information about how to better groom your dog at home, contact D’Iberville Veterinary Hospital and speak with an experienced veteran in D’Iberville, MS today.