March 30th, 2023 by Sarah Miles

We all love our dogs but the reality is that they can be stinky animals that love nothing more than a roll in a muddy puddle or something even worse! While many are quite happy to be bathed, combed, and trimmed, this isn’t the case for every dog. In fact, many can be very scared, especially if they associate a negative experience with grooming or if they’ve suffered some mistreatment in the past (such as a rescue dog).

Having a few strategies for grooming dogs without alerting them to the fact is very useful and not just for nervous dogs as most will benefit from some interim TLC to keep their coats in good condition and their skin irritation-free.

Here are 5 such strategies that can help keep your dog clean and tidy, without causing them stress:

Washing without water

While that sounds like an oxymoron, it really is possible to keep your dog’s coat clean, soft, and conditioned without bathing or, indeed, using any water at all. Dog dry shampoo is a mousse product that can simply be massaged into the coat and requires no rinsing. Containing soothing ingredients such as aloe vera and avocado, it both cleans and conditions the fur, helping to loosen tangles and soften it. It’s also really kind on their skin. Great for dogs who really hate water or the whole bathing process.

Pretty Pooch Dry Dog Shampoo 250ml x 2

Price: £11.59

Buy Now

Preventative, low-level grooming

Prevention is always better than cure and many dogs develop issues with grooming when it becomes an unpleasant experience, which can happen when tangled or matted hair has been pulled and caused pain or discomfort. Preventing it from getting to that point means that it reduces the risk of that happening, making the process easier and a much more positive experience for your dog.

A little, gentle brush regularly will not only allow them to get used to it but also remove any small tangles before they become more difficult. Likewise, a rinse-off after every muddy dog walk using an outdoor tap (having a hot water tap installed is a great investment) is much less invasive than a proper bath every few weeks.

Making grooming feel like petting

Most dogs love attention from their owners and stroking is a vital part of this. By using a tool like a grooming mitt or even a very soft-bristled brush, you can mimic the motion of petting while removing excess hair, smoothing the coat, and teasing out minor tangles.

Rather than fearing being groomed, you may find that they enjoy the experience due to the love and attention they’re receiving, which is what most dogs live for.

Make it a game

Dogs require mental stimulation as much as they need physical exercise so playing and training need to be part of their regular routines. Occupying their minds is also key to avoiding less desirable behaviour such as destructiveness or even aggression. Therefore, if you can combine enrichment with grooming, that’s ticking several boxes.

Use the motivations that you know appeal to them such as food treats, toys, or just praise to reward actions such as rolling over and allowing you a brush to the tummy, or sit/down commands where you combine a little brush stroke. Make it fun and include lots of positive reinforcement.

Distraction techniques

If your dog has nothing else to focus on but the grooming process itself, it can become too much. By giving them a toy or providing a lick mat or dog puzzle filled with treats, it creates a distraction so that you can give them a brush or even snip some tufts of hair away without them consciously acknowledging the action.