General Dog Grooming FAQs | Spitz Groom

Good grooming is about much more than what happens during an appointment. It begins with positive early experiences, continues through regular coat care and bathing, and is supported by an open, trusting relationship between you and your dog’s groomer.

Our General Grooming FAQs answer common questions about when puppies should begin grooming, how often dogs can be bathed and how working collaboratively with your groomer can support your dog’s comfort, wellbeing and long-term coat health. Every dog is different, so the right approach should always reflect their individual coat, lifestyle, temperament and grooming needs.

Puppy Grooming 

When should I take my puppy for its first groom?

Ideally, your puppy’s first grooming experience should happen early and be gentle. For many puppies, an introductory visit around 10–14 weeks of age is a good starting point, depending on their vaccination status, health and individual circumstances.

The first visit doesn’t need to be a full haircut. It can simply involve meeting the groomer, getting comfortable in the salon, having a bath and blow-dry, brushing, nail trimming and a small amount of face, feet or hygiene trimming.

The goal is to teach your puppy that grooming is a normal, positive part of life. Starting early makes future grooming considerably easier. 

How do I prepare my puppy for its first grooming appointment?

The best preparation happens at home. Gently handle your puppy’s paws, ears, face and tail, and introduce them to being brushed.

Reward calm behaviour with treats and praise. It can also help to introduce your puppy to everyday grooming sounds, such as a hairdryer, at a low volume and from a comfortable distance.

Most importantly, keep these experiences short and positive. You’re not trying to turn your puppy into a professional groomer overnight. You’re building confidence one tiny experience at a time.

Can puppies be groomed before they are fully vaccinated?

This depends on the puppy, the salon and the level of vaccination protection they have received. Your veterinarian should always be the first point of reference.

At Spitz Groom, we take a cautious, individual approach to puppy appointments. Depending on your puppy’s age and vaccination status, an introductory grooming experience may be possible, while some puppies may be better waiting until they have completed their initial vaccinations. 

Bathing & General Grooming

 

Are individual grooming services available? Or do I have to book a full groom? 

You don’t always need to book a full groom.

Spitz Groom offers individual grooming and maintenance services for dogs who only need a specific part of their grooming routine attended to.

Depending on your dog’s needs, this may include nail clipping, hygiene trims, paw and pad trims, coat maintenance, puppy introductions or desensitisation sessions.

These services can be particularly useful between full grooming appointments, for puppies learning about grooming, or for dogs who aren’t yet comfortable with a complete grooming session.

If you’re unsure what your dog needs, just ask us. We’ll recommend the most appropriate service based on your dog’s coat, grooming requirements and comfort level.

How often should I bathe my dog?

There isn’t one bathing schedule that suits every dog. It depends on their coat type, skin, lifestyle and grooming routine.

A healthy dog with a well-maintained coat can generally be bathed regularly without issue when appropriate, quality dog-specific products are used and the coat is thoroughly dried.

Dogs with longer, denser or more demanding coats may benefit from professional grooming at regular intervals rather than waiting until they become dirty or matted.

Is human shampoo safe for dogs?

No. Human shampoo isn’t recommended for dogs.

Dogs have different skin chemistry to humans, and human shampoos can be too harsh or inappropriate for their skin. Using a shampoo specifically formulated for dogs is the safer choice.

If your dog has recurring skin problems, itching or irritation, speak with your veterinarian before choosing a medicated or specialised shampoo. 

Why does my dog smell even after being bathed?

If your dog still smells shortly after a bath, the problem may not simply be that they are dirty.

Odour can come from moisture trapped in a dense coat, ears, skin folds, dental problems, anal glands or underlying skin conditions. A coat that hasn’t been thoroughly dried can also develop that unmistakable “wet dog” smell surprisingly quickly.

If an unusual or persistent odour keeps returning despite appropriate grooming, it’s worth having your veterinarian investigate the cause.

How often should I cut my dog’s nails? 

Nails generally need trimming every few weeks, although the ideal interval varies between dogs.

Dogs that regularly walk on hard surfaces may naturally wear their nails down more than dogs who spend most of their time on softer surfaces. 

A useful rule is that if you can hear your dog’s nails clicking prominently on hard floors, or they are beginning to affect the way your dog stands or walks, it’s time to check them. 

Should my dog’s ears be cleaned during grooming?

A groomer can clean the visible and accessible parts of your dog’s ears as part of a grooming appointment when appropriate. However, routine deep cleaning inside the ear canal isn’t a grooming procedure and shouldn’t be performed unnecessarily.

Excessive cleaning can irritate the ear. If you notice redness, discharge, a strong odour, excessive wax or your dog repeatedly scratching or shaking their head, speak with your veterinarian. These can be signs of an ear problem requiring veterinary treatment. 

Why does my dog lick its paws after grooming?

A little paw licking immediately after grooming isn’t necessarily a concern. Your dog may simply be responding to the sensation of freshly trimmed hair, nail trimming, bathing or having their feet handled. However, persistent or excessive licking isn’t something to ignore. It can indicate irritation, allergies, inflammation or another underlying issue. If your dog continues licking their paws well after the grooming appointment, particularly if the paws look red or irritated, contact your veterinarian.

Why does my dog’s coat smell after getting wet?

Wet dog smell is real, and there’s a perfectly good reason for it.

Dogs naturally have microorganisms living on their skin and coat. When the coat becomes wet, compounds produced by these microorganisms become more noticeable, creating that familiar odour. Dense coats, undercoats and coats that take a long time to dry can make the smell particularly obvious.

Thorough drying is an important part of professional grooming, especially for dogs with dense or double coats. 

Coats, Shedding & Matting

Can grooming help with shedding?

Yes, but grooming doesn’t stop a dog from shedding. Regular grooming can remove loose coat before it ends up on your furniture, floors and clothes. This is particularly helpful during seasonal coat changes and for dogs with dense undercoats.

The right approach depends heavily on the breed and coat type. Double-coated breeds, for example, require very different coat management from Poodles and Poodle crosses. 

How can I stop my dog’s coat from matting?

The best way to prevent matting is regular brushing with the right technique and the right tools. Pay particular attention to areas where friction and moisture occur, including behind the ears, under the collar or harness, armpits, groin and around the legs.

For longer or curly-coated dogs, brushing the surface isn’t enough. The brush needs to reach through the coat all the way to the skin. Regular professional grooming also helps keep the coat manageable between appointments. 

What brush should I use for my dog’s coat?

There isn’t one universal 'best dog brush'. The right tool depends on the breed, coat type, coat length and grooming goal.

A slicker brush may be appropriate for many curly or longer coats, while an undercoat rake or other specialised tool may be useful for certain double-coated breeds.  Using the wrong tool, or brushing too aggressively, can damage the coat or irritate the skin. Not sure what your dog needs?

Ask your groomer to show you the correct brush and technique for your dog’s specific coat. 

Breed-Specific Grooming

How often should a double-coated or long-coated dog be groomed? 

Double and long-coated breeds such as Samoyeds, German Spitz, Japanese Spitz and Pomeranians generally benefit from professional grooming every 4–8 weeks, depending on the individual dog, coat condition and lifestyle.

Regular professional grooming helps remove loose undercoat, keep the coat clean and manageable, maintain healthy skin and identify potential problems before they become bigger ones.

During seasonal shedding periods, some dogs may benefit from more frequent appointments to help manage the significant amount of loose undercoat. Between professional appointments, regular brushing at home is essential. Dogs with longer or denser coats may need brushing several times a week, or even daily, to prevent tangles and matting.

At Spitz Groom, we recommend a grooming schedule based on the individual dog rather than applying a one-size-fits-all rule. A Spitz with a dense, full coat will have very different grooming requirements from a Pomeranian maintained in a shorter, practical style.

Can double-coated dogs be clipped? 

Generally, double-coated dogs should not be routinely clipped short. Breeds such as Samoyeds, German Spitz, Japanese Spitz, Huskies, Pomeranians and many other double-coated breeds have a specialised coat that is designed to provide insulation and protection, and proper grooming is about managing the coat rather than removing it. 

Clipping can alter the coat’s structure, and, in some dogs, the coat may regrow unevenly or change texture.

There are circumstances where clipping may be necessary, particularly for severe matting, veterinary treatment or welfare reasons. In those situations, the dog’s comfort and wellbeing come first.

How often should a Poodle be groomed?

Most Poodles benefit from professional grooming approximately every 4–6 weeks. Poodle coats continue growing rather than following the same shedding cycle as many other breeds, so regular grooming is important for maintaining coat length, hygiene and comfort. The longer you want to keep the coat, the more important consistent brushing at home becomes.

How often should a Groodle be groomed? 

For most Groodles, every 4–6 weeks is a sensible professional grooming interval. Groodle coats can vary enormously. Some are relatively open and wavy, while others are dense, curly and highly prone to matting. If you want to maintain a longer coat, daily brushing may be necessary. If you prefer a shorter, easier-care style, your groomer can recommend a practical grooming schedule based on the individual coat.

 

Shedding & Matting

Why is my dog shedding so much?

Shedding is normal, but the amount can vary dramatically depending on breed, season, age, hormones, environment and individual coat cycle.

Double-coated breeds can produce an astonishing amount of loose undercoat during seasonal coat changes. It can sometimes feel like you’ve acquired a second dog made entirely of fur. Regular brushing and professional de-shedding can help manage loose coat, but they won’t eliminate normal shedding.

If shedding suddenly becomes excessive or is accompanied by bald patches, itching, redness, changes to the skin or other symptoms, speak with your veterinarian. 

What happens if my dog’s coat is too matted to brush?

Sometimes a coat reaches a point where dematting is no longer the kindest option.

 Severe matting can pull on the skin, restrict movement, trap moisture and hide skin problems. Attempting to brush out extensive matting can also be painful and may cause unnecessary stress. In these situations, clipping the matted coat may be the safest and most humane option.

At Spitz Groom, your dog’s comfort and welfare come before preserving a particular hairstyle. A short haircut isn’t a failure. Sometimes it’s the reset button that gets a dog comfortable again.

Working With Your Groomer

What should I tell my dog groomer about my dog's behaviour?

Tell us everything. Seriously. If your dog is nervous, reactive, fearful, doesn’t like their feet touched, has previously bitten, dislikes dryers, struggles with other dogs or simply thinks nail trimming is an international conspiracy, we want to know. Also tell your groomer about previous grooming experiences, what has worked well, what hasn’t, and anything that may affect how your dog responds to handling. Honest information allows your groomer to plan appropriately and use the safest, lowest-stress approach possible. Your groomer isn’t judging your dog. They’re preparing for them.