How to Brush a Dog's Coat — Explained Step by Step

Understanding how to brush your dog's coat will let you learn to do it correctly and regularly at home. Thanks to this, you'll avoid tangles, dirt buildup, and the problem of dead hair scattered around your home.

This at-home grooming is important, but it doesn't replace a regular visit to a dog groomer (for breeds that need it). Below, I'll show you how to properly brush your dog's coat and the basic care it requires.

Why Is It Important to Brush a Dog?

Brushing our pet's coat isn't just about looks. Frequent brushing helps:

• Reduce the amount of loose hair around the house.
• Prevent and detect the presence of external parasites.
• Control the appearance of tangles.
• Remove dead hair.

Brushing should become a routine. The frequency and the right products depend on each dog's coat type.

How Often Should You Brush a Dog?

A dog's coat can be short, medium, semi-long, or long, as well as smooth, wiry, curly, or coarse. Brushing frequency should be:

• Twice a week for short-haired dogs.
• Three brushings a week for medium-haired dogs.
• Daily or every other day brushing for long-haired dogs.

You can adapt these recommendations to your dog's needs. For example, two short-haired breeds don't shed the same amount of hair — if you notice yours does fine with weekly brushing, or needs three, don't hesitate to do so.

Recommended Brushes for Brushing Dogs

Besides setting a routine, getting the right products to care for its coat is essential. At the very least we should have a comb or brush suited to the coat type. They're generally sold at vet clinics and/or pet stores:

• How to brush a short-haired dog: choose rubber brushes or mitts. The teeth are shorter and will feel like a massage on the dog's skin.
• How to brush a medium-haired dog: depending on whether it's smooth or curly, get a metal brush with rounded tips or a brush with long, flexible bristles.
• How to brush a long-haired dog: this is the trickiest — get a pin brush and a metal one, both with rounded tips. Use them carefully to avoid pulling on the skin.

Tips for Brushing a Dog

If you're consistent, brushing your dog's coat won't take more than 5 or 6 minutes each time.

How do you brush a dog that won't let you? At first, especially if it's an adult dog not used to being brushed, it will seem uncomfortable and may try to run off. If you're using the right brush, get the dog used to it by speaking softly, petting it, and offering a treat when it behaves well.

Follow these steps:

• Sit the dog on your lap or put it up on a chair — the idea is to have access to both its head and its legs.
• Start with some petting to calm it down.
• Grab the right brush or comb.
• Brush following the natural direction of coat growth.
• Brushing should feel like a massage — don't press too hard or pull the hair when you notice a tangle.

Other Canine Coat Care Tips

Brushing should be complemented with:

• Baths: Frequency will depend on your dog's physical activity and how much time it spends outdoors.
• Removing tangles: Tangles can be uncomfortable and even dangerous for your dog — remove them with suitable products.
• Haircuts: Check with a dog groomer about the ideal time to do this based on your dog's breed.
• Deworming: Following the deworming schedule will protect your dog against external parasites and the diseases they transmit.

How to Remove Tangles From a Dog's Coat?

Tangles are the biggest problem for long-haired dogs. Knowing how to untangle these knots is essential, although the toughest ones should be handled by your vet or dog groomer.

Follow these steps:

1. If you spot the tangle while brushing your dog's coat, try to work it loose with a fine-toothed comb.
2. Use your fingers and a bit of detangling spray to help. This will soften the strand.
3. Be patient and keep combing and separating each hair with the help of your fingers and the comb.
4. Never pull on the tangle — you'll only hurt your dog.
5. Keep brushing for a couple of minutes and then move to another tangle. Otherwise, the skin will get irritated in that spot if you insist too much.
6. If it's impossible to work the tangle loose, get a pair of round-tipped scissors and cut off the affected hair.

If the coat has a lot of tangles, don't cut them yourself and go to a groomer instead.