How to Brush Your Dog Between Grooming Appointments
Regular brushing between professional grooming appointments is one of the best things you can do for your dog's coat health. It prevents matting, distributes natural oils, removes loose hair and debris, and gives you a chance to check for skin issues, lumps, and parasites. But not all brushing is created equal — using the wrong brush or technique can be ineffective at best and painful at worst. Here is your guide to brushing your dog correctly between grooms.
Choosing the Right Brush for Your Dog's Coat
- Slicker brush: The most versatile grooming brush, a slicker has fine, short wire bristles set on a flat or slightly curved pad. It is ideal for medium to long coats, curly coats, and double coats. It removes loose undercoat, detangles, and smooths the outer coat. If you own a Poodle, Doodle, Bichon, Shih Tzu, or any breed with hair that mats, a slicker brush should be your primary tool.
- Pin brush: Similar in appearance to a human hairbrush, a pin brush has widely spaced, rounded-tip pins. It is good for dogs with long, flowing coats like Yorkies, Maltese, and Afghan Hounds. It gently detangles without pulling or breaking the hair. It is less effective on thick or curly coats.
- Bristle brush: A bristle brush with natural or synthetic bristles works well on short-haired breeds like Beagles, Boxers, and Dachshunds. It removes loose hair, dirt, and distributes natural oils across the coat for a healthy shine. It does not penetrate thick coats, so it is not suitable as a primary tool for double-coated or long-haired breeds.
- Rubber curry brush: A flexible rubber brush with nubs that massages the skin and removes loose hair. Excellent for short-coated breeds and as a pre-bath brush for all coat types. Dogs generally love the sensation.
- Dematting tool/comb: A specialized tool with sharp, widely spaced blades designed to cut through mats. Use with extreme caution — improper use can cut skin. Best reserved for small, surface-level mats. Severe mats should always be handled by a professional groomer.
Proper Brushing Technique
Effective brushing is not just running a brush over the top of the coat. For dogs with any length of coat, you need to brush down to the skin — not just the surface. The technique professional groomers use is called "line brushing": part the coat in a line with your hand, brush from the skin outward in small sections, and work your way across the body. This ensures you are actually reaching the undercoat and catching tangles before they become mats. Simply brushing the top layer gives the illusion of a well-brushed coat while mats form underneath against the skin.
How Often to Brush
Brushing frequency depends entirely on coat type:
- Curly/wool coats (Poodles, Doodles, Bichons): Every day or every other day. These coats mat rapidly, and daily brushing is not optional if you want to maintain any length.
- Long, silky coats (Yorkies, Maltese, Shih Tzus): Every day to every other day, particularly if the coat is kept long.
- Double coats (Huskies, German Shepherds, Goldens): Two to three times per week, increasing to daily during shedding season.
- Medium coats (Spaniels, Setters): Two to three times per week.
- Short coats (Beagles, Boxers, Labs): Once a week is typically sufficient.
Detangler Spray: Your Best Friend
A good detangler or conditioning spray makes brushing easier, less painful for the dog, and more effective. Spritz the coat lightly before brushing — never brush a completely dry coat on long-haired or curly-coated dogs, as this causes static, breakage, and discomfort. Detangler spray lubricates the hair shaft, allowing tangles to slide apart rather than tighten. It also conditions the coat and reduces static. Keep a bottle near your brushing station and use it every time.
Where Mats Form: The Trouble Spots
Mats tend to form in predictable locations that you should pay extra attention to during brushing:
- Behind the ears
- Under the collar
- In the armpits (where the front legs meet the body)
- Around the groin area
- On the rear end and backs of the legs
- Between the toes
- Anywhere there is friction — where a harness sits, where the dog lies down, where legs rub against the body
When to Call Your Groomer
If you encounter a mat that is tight against the skin, do not try to brush it out — you will hurt your dog and potentially damage the skin. Tight mats need to be carefully clipped out with the right tools and technique. Similarly, if you have fallen behind on brushing and the coat is matted throughout, it is time for a professional groom rather than a painful at-home brushing marathon. Your groomer can assess the coat and determine the best approach, whether that is careful dematting or a shorter cut to start fresh.
If you are unsure about the right brush or technique for your dog's coat, ask us at your next appointment. At American Puppy, we are always happy to demonstrate proper brushing technique and recommend the right tools for your specific dog. Book your next grooming appointment and we will set you up for success between visits.