The One Thing Dog Groomers Are Begging Pet Owners To Start Doing

There’s nothing better than picking your pup up from the groomers and seeing how fabulous they look. However, it’s no secret that keeping their appearance up between visits can be a little challenging. Though, as a pet parent , you want to do everything you can to help your pet look and feel their best before it’s time for them to go back in for another appointment. So if there was just one thing groomers could advise dog moms and dads to do, what would it be?

To find out, we spoke with professional pet groomers Jess Rona and Jilly Mucciarone . They not only break down what the number one thing is that most groomers are begging dog owners to do between visits, but they also let Parade in on a few other at-home grooming tasks that people can do to maintain their furbaby’s image.

Check out their insight below. Their answer is actually surprisingly simple. You’ll notice that once you start implementing it into your dog’s routine, the next time your pup is between their glam sessions, you’ll be able to keep your four-legged family member’s fur in tip top shape, which will make them and your groomer happy.

The One Thing Dog Groomers Are Begging Pet Owners To Start Doing

According to our experts, the most important thing groomers want dog owners to do regularly isn’t that difficult, which is why it’s hard to believe that so many pet parents don’t do it. “We want you to brush your dog!” Rona and Mucciarone tell Parade .

“No matter what type of coat your dog has, your groomer needs you to help them take care of it,” explains Mucciarone. “We’re a team! If you keep your dog’s coat in good condition, their grooming appointments will be faster, easier and safer.”

Rona adds that you shouldn’t just brush your pup’s back and sides…you should brush everywhere.

“It’s important to brush your dog’s legs, between their toes, their armpits and even between their back legs,” she reveals. “These are the places where pets get matted the most, so by brushing your dog in all those spots, it prevents severe matting from occurring, which can cause skin issues, as well as trap debris, fleas or moisture under those matted areas.”

How Often Should a Dog Get Brushed?

The answer to this question varies depending on your dog’s breed and their type of coat. However, Rona points out that fluffier dogs, like Samoyeds, need to be brushed at least once a week.

Of course, brushing them more than that is better, as Mucciarone details that by doing so, they’ll shed less and you’ll notice that your pet’s coat is glowing with a natural, healthy shine!

What Tools Are Best for Brushing Dogs?

When it comes to brushing your pet, Rona and Mucciarone tell Parade that dog owners don’t always use the correct brush. “The biggest mistake I see people make when choosing a brush is that they don’t know what coat type their dog has so they end up choosing the wrong type,” Rona notes.

Because of this, Rona and Mucciarone created a quick brush guide for Parade:

• For Smooth-Coated, Shedding Dogs: “If you have a Frenchie or Pit Bull, brush them with a soft rubber curry comb with short nubs,” Mucciarone instructs.
• For Short-Coated Dogs: “The Furminator is only a good tool for getting the undercoat out of short coated dogs,” Rona makes clear. “It’s not the right tool if you have a fluffy dog because it isn’t going to brush out the coat.”
• For Heavy-Coated Dogs: “These types of dogs include Labs, Huskies and German Shepherds and require a rubber curry comb with longer nubs for brushing,” Mucciarone advises.
• For All Dog Types: If you’re not sure what brush to get, Rona suggests starting out with “a slicker brush that has soft bristles.” When choosing one, Mucciarone says there are a couple things to keep in mind. “Find one with metal bristles and without round plastic tips,” she suggests. “Also make sure the length of the bristles match how long you keep your dog’s hair; you don’t need a brush with long bristles unless you keep your dog’s hair long. A medium bristle length should be fine for most dogs.”
• For Finishing Touches: “I see so many people using a comb to brush their dog’s coat, however, a comb is for finishing only. It should only be used after the dog’s coat has been brushed out, otherwise it can pull on your dog’s hair and hurt them,” Rona tells Parade .

What Is the Best Way To Brush Your Dog?

Both experts agree that line brushing is the best way to tend to your pet’s coat.

“When brushing your dog, you want to make sure to get down to their skin,” Rona explains. “One way to do that is called ‘line brushing,' which is where you smush up their coat with one hand, and then brush small sections of their coat until a line appears and you can see their skin.”

However, before trying out this method, Mucciarone encourages pet parents to spritz a detangling spray on them first.

“Never line brush on a dry coat,” she emphasizes. “By spraying a light mist on where you’re about to brush, it helps avoid breaking your dog’s hair and restores moisture as well. If you find a tangle, just squirt some directly on it and gently brush it out against your hand. You can even ask your groomer to recommend their favorite brand if you’re not sure which one to go with.”

3 Other Things Pet Groomers Wish Dog Parents Would Do

1. Brush Your Dog’s Teeth

Just like people, dog’s need their teeth brushed to help keep their breath fresh and mouth clean. “You should brush your dog’s teeth at least once a week,” Rona explains.

2. Give Your Dog’s Pawdicures

“Many dog owners avoid trimming their dog’s nails because they’re afraid it hurts them, or that they’ll cut the quick, or the blood vessel inside the nail, and make them bleed. However, a dog’s nails need to be trimmed every two to three weeks,” Mucciarone declares. “Long nails force the toe and foot joints to painfully twist which, over time, causes arthritis, or worse, hip dysplasia. If you’re afraid or don’t know how to cut them, ask your groomer for a lesson, or if your dog is really difficult and won’t let you do it, keep regular nail trims scheduled.”

3. Clear Away Eye Boogers

If your dog wakes up and has little gooey or crusty pieces next to their eyes, Rona urges pet parents to take the time to remove it.

“You can easily clean your dog’s eyes by using a warm damp cloth,” she recommends. “It’s better to wipe away the dirty area with a rag, because pulling the debris can potentially hurt your dog.”

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