🐾 How Often Should Your Dog Be Groomed?
This will not be at all surprising but one of the most common questions we get at Woof n’ Waggle is: “How often should I be grooming my dog?”
Almost all dog owners want the best for their dog. So whether your dog is a fluffy Poodle, or a lovely Labrador mix, grooming plays a vital role in keeping your dog healthy, happy, and looking their best. The truth about grooming is there is no one size fits all answer. Like us humans, dogs have different needs based on their breed, coat type, activity level, and lifestyle. But not to worry, we’re here to break it down for you.
Before & After
🐶 So Grooming Is More Than Just Looking Good
Grooming is about more than a shiny coat or a cute bandana (we love both btw!).
Regular grooming helps:
Keep your dog’s skin and coat clean and healthy
Prevent painful matting, skin infections, and pest infestations
Monitor for lumps, bumps, or any skin issues helping catch them early
Reduce shedding and allergens in the home
Keep nails trimmed to avoid joint and posture problems
Keep ears, eyes, and teeth clean
Grooming is not just a beauty treatment, it’s basic care. For many dogs, it also creates a positive bonding experience too (especially when treats are involved!).
🐩 Coat Type Maintenance
Different coat types require different levels of care which influences how regularly your dog should be groomed. Here’s a quick guide:
🐕 Short-Haired Breeds (like Staffies, Beagles, Boxers)
Low-maintenance legends like these don’t need haircuts but still benefit from regular baths and brushing.
Unless you are all over DIY grooming, recommended grooming appointments are every 6–8 weeks for a bath, brush, and nail trim.
🐾 Medium-Length Coats (like Border Collies, Golden Retrievers)
These beauties shed more and can develop tangles if not brushed regularly.
Recommended grooming: Every 4–6 weeks, plus weekly brushing at home.
🐩 Long-Haired & Double-Coated Breeds (like Cavoodles, Poodles, Shih Tzus, Huskies)
These high maintenance diva’s require lots of attention but oh so worth it! They often require professional clipping or hand-stripping to maintain that hair.
Recommended grooming is every 6–8 weeks for a full groom, with brushing 3–4 times a week at home to prevent matting.
🐶 Curly or Non-Shedding Coats (like Groodles, Maltese, Labradoodles)
These coats don’t shed much but they do grow continuously meaning regular haircuts are advisable for easier life for both you and your dog.
To avoid mats and keep coats healthy, the recommended grooming for these friendly doggo’s is every 6 weeks to avoid mats and keep their coats healthy.
Another FAQ is How Often Should I Bathe My Dog?
The answer again depends on your dog’s skin, activity level, and how much they love rolling around in the who knows what at the park.
Generally speaking:
Most dogs benefit from a bath every 3–6 weeks
Too much bathing can strip natural oils and cause skin irritation
Always use a dog-specific shampoo (never human shampoo!)
At Woof n’ Waggle, we use gentle, skin-friendly products that leave your doggo smelling fresh without drying out their coat.
One Recommendation That Will Help Dog Owners in the Long Run, Puppy Grooming – Start Early!
If you’ve got a puppy, it’s never too early to start introducing them to grooming. In fact, we recommend starting as early as 12 weeks (once vaccinations are up to date). The sooner your dog gets used to being handled, brushed, and bathed, the better the experience for you, your dog also spare a thought for your dog groomer. If grooming is something your dog is not exposed to early in life it will become a difficult task to do later in life.
At Woof n’ Waggle we provide puppy grooms that are gentle, positive and designed to build confidence for a lifetime of stress-free grooming.
So What’s Included in a Professional Groom?
When you book your dog in with us, your dog is getting more than a quick trim. Our full grooming sessions include:
Bath with premium dog shampoo and conditioner
Blow dry
Brushing and de-shedding
Haircut or tidy-up based on breed/style
Nail clipping
Ear cleaning
& Lots of cuddles and treats (of course!)
We also tailor each session to suit your dog’s needs and temperament.
🐕 Signs It’s Time for a Grooming Appointment
If you’re unsure whether it’s time for a visit, here are some of the telltale signs:
Tangled or matted fur
Smelly coat or skin
Long nails clicking on the floor
Dirty ears or visible gunk
Excessive scratching or licking
Finally you can’t remember the last time they were groomed 😅
So, how often should your dog be groomed? The answer depends on your dog’s coat, lifestyle, and health. One thing should have become clear is regular grooming keeps your dog feeling, and looking, their best.
At Woof n’ Waggle, we provide professional grooming services for dogs of all shapes and sizes. Whether your pup needs a tidy-up, a full spa treatment, or just a bath and brush after a muddy park session, we’ve got you covered.
We proudly service dog lovers from Alkmios, Ballajura, Butler, Mirrabooka, Noranda, Beechboro and beyond.
If you need help figuring out your dog’s ideal grooming schedule? Just give us a call or book an appointment online. We’re always happy to chat about what’s best for your doggo.
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