Pet Grooming Advice for Cleaner, Healthier, Happier Pets
Welcome to the PAWS Pet Grooming Advice Area, here you will find expert information and tips on the proper methods and techniques to use when grooming your pet. We have also provided numerous grooming related links to help you find the right Grooming tools and other Grooming related Products to get the job done right.
Please insure that you Bookmark this site so you don't lose it. At PAWS Dog Daycare we are committed to not only providing you with the best Dog Grooming Service available but also providing you with the information that you need to properly Groom your own pet.
Practical Home Help
Learn simple grooming basics that help your pet stay cleaner, more comfortable, and easier to maintain between professional appointments.
Healthier Skin & Coat
Brushing, bathing, nail care, ear care, and shedding control all play a role in your pet’s comfort and long-term wellness.
Know When to Call a Groomer
Some grooming jobs are simple. Others require skill, training, safe handling, and professional equipment.
Grooming Topics
Use these grooming guides as a starting point for safer, smarter pet care.
Dog Grooming Basics
Start here for the fundamentals: brushing, bathing, coat care, nail care, grooming schedules, and the basics every pet parent should understand.
Read Grooming Basics 🐾How to Clip Dog Toenails
Nail trimming can be stressful when you do not know what to watch for. Learn why nail care matters and how to approach it carefully.
Learn Nail Care ⭐How to Choose a Groomer
The right groomer can make a major difference in your pet’s comfort, safety, and grooming experience.
Choose Better 👂How to Clean Dog Ears
Ear cleaning should be gentle, careful, and appropriate for your dog. Learn the basics before you start.
Clean Ears Safely 💜Muzzle Training Your Dog
Muzzle training can help some dogs feel safer during handling, veterinary care, grooming, and stressful situations.
Understand Muzzle Training 🪮Why Dogs Shed
Shedding is normal, but excessive loose hair can often be managed with the right grooming routine and tools.
Control SheddingWelcome to the PAWS Pet Grooming Advice Area, here you will find expert information and tips on the proper methods and techniques to use when grooming your pet. We have also provided numerous grooming related links to help you find the right Grooming tools and other Grooming related Products to get the job done right.
Please insure that you Bookmark this site so you don't lose it. At PAWS Dog Daycare we are committed to not only providing you with the best Dog Grooming Service available but also providing you with the information that you need to properly Groom your own pet.
Why Grooming Matters
Grooming supports more than appearance. Brushing can help reduce loose hair and mats. Bathing can help manage dirt, odor, and coat condition. Nail trimming can affect posture and comfort. Ear cleaning can help you notice irritation, odor, redness, or buildup before small problems become larger concerns.
Home Grooming Is Helpful — But Know Your Limits
Many basic grooming tasks can be handled at home with patience, practice, and the right equipment. However, some situations call for professional help: severe matting, fearful or defensive behavior, painful nails, skin problems, ear infections, heavy coat removal, or breed-specific haircuts.
If your pet is anxious, painful, aggressive, badly matted, elderly, disabled, or medically fragile, do not force the process. A calm, safe grooming experience matters more than getting everything done in one sitting.
The History of Pet Grooming
Grooming has changed from an elite luxury into a practical part of modern pet care, but the roots of professional grooming go much farther back than most people realize.
Early Grooming Culture
Pet grooming dates back well into the Elizabethan era where there are numerous paintings that show well groomed dogs sitting by their masters sides. While in 17th century France, the official dog at court was the poodle and during the era of King Louis XV of France the first real record of the existence of dog grooming parlors was discovered.
Although at the time grooming was primarily reserved for the wealthy and the elite, as it was performed by specialized individuals using sharpened straight blades and crude scissors it was pet grooming none the less.
Written Grooming Guidance
Then in 1879 Vero Shaw, published "The Book of the Dog" in it he makes reference to the things that can be done to keep a dog clean and healthy, this book was followed in 1893 by Ashmont's Kennel Secrets where he gives specific recommendations to properly wash, groom and use coat conditioners.
The Dog Barbershop Era
From the early 1900's through the 1940's Dog Groomers as we know them today simply did not exist. The closest profession of the time in America was the "Dog Barbershop", these generally operated out of a very small area and consisted of a wooden table, some cages, and various scissors and other cutting instruments to shave or cut hair from the dog.
This was a labor intensive and arduous process in a profession that was neither glamorous nor desirable.
Modern Drying Begins
In the mid 1940's another invention changed the face of grooming as we know it today and that was the introduction of the "Pedestal Stand Dryer" which began the process of automating the drying process.
This invention made the profession of Dog Grooming a more lucrative and attractive career. Groomers of the era were now able to groom more dogs per day and earn more money due to the fact that they did not have to spend hours drying each dog by hand.
Family Pets Change the Industry
The next major advance in Pet Grooming came at the end of WWII as soldiers returned home to start families (complete with the family pet), as the number of pets in America grew so did the need for Professional Grooming.
Comfort, Health, and Style
The modern Dog or Pet Grooming Salon comes complete with stainless steel tubs, automatic washers that mix the shampoo and water to a specified ratio then atomize and spray the mix directly into the pets coat, high power cage or force dryers and specialized hydraulic grooming tables.
As Dogs continue to move from just a pet to valued member of the family, the grooming industry continues to grow by offering services such as dog massages, and acupuncture all the way to aromatherapy and mud baths.
There are also a number of Professional Grooming Schools in America that teach accredited classes on how to become a professional groomer.
Before You Groom at Home
Home grooming can be helpful, but only when it is done safely. A bad nail trim, improper ear cleaning, rushed bathing, harsh brushing, or forcing a fearful dog through a grooming task can create pain, fear, injury, or long-term grooming resistance.
Keep sessions short, use calm handling, reward cooperation, and stop before your pet becomes overwhelmed. Grooming should build trust, not break it.
Short, calm grooming sessions are better than forcing everything at once.
Look for redness, swelling, wounds, fleas, ticks, hot spots, lumps, or tenderness.
If your pet reacts strongly, stop and consider professional help.
Use grooming products intended for pets, not harsh human products or unknown chemicals.
Need Professional Grooming?
PAWS grooming services are designed around comfort, cleanliness, coat health, and a better grooming-day experience.
Dog Grooming Services
Learn about PAWS grooming, the Prima™ Bathing System, full grooming, Shed-Less treatments, and grooming paired with daycare.
Explore Grooming ServicesGrooming Pricing
View grooming prices for full grooms, baths, nails, ears, Shed-Less treatments, add-ons, and related services.
View Grooming PricingPet Requirements
Review vaccination, safety, age, and daycare participation requirements before planning grooming with daycare or boarding.
Review RequirementsCommon Grooming Questions
Simple answers for pet parents trying to make smarter grooming decisions.
How often should my dog be groomed?
It depends on coat type, shedding, lifestyle, skin condition, and haircut needs. Some dogs need frequent professional grooming, while others need routine brushing, baths, nails, and occasional salon care.
Why are mats such a big deal?
Mats can pull on the skin, trap moisture, hide irritation, cause discomfort, and make grooming more difficult. Severe matting should usually be handled by a professional.
Can I trim my dog’s nails at home?
Many pet parents can trim nails at home, but you need the right tool, good lighting, patience, and an understanding of the quick. If your dog is fearful or nails are overgrown, get help.
Should I clean my dog’s ears?
Gentle ear cleaning may help some dogs, but redness, odor, swelling, pain, discharge, or repeated head shaking may require veterinary attention.
“A well-groomed pet is not just prettier. A well-groomed pet is often more comfortable, easier to handle, and easier to keep healthy.”
— PAWS Dog GroomingStart With Better Grooming Knowledge
Browse the PAWS grooming advice topics, learn the basics, and contact PAWS when your pet needs professional grooming, Shed-Less treatment, nail care, or a full grooming experience.