At-Home Grooming Tips for Dog Owners: What to Buy and How to Use It

I have two dogs: a Cocker Spaniel and a Cocker Spaniel-Poodle mix. Let me tell you, they are a handful. The toughest part, beyond having to train them not to pee on my sofa, was having to groom them. One of my dogs freaks out every time she sees a hair brush and the other hates water (and I mean HATE). While there is an abundance of pet groomers and do-it-yourself salons in the area, there are situations when I have to be the one grooming my dogs from start to finish in my own house (like last week when they rolled around in the sleet and left my house smelling like...you guessed it, wet dogs!).

So here are some helpful tips for getting your dog in tip-top shape for the holiday visitors without spending extra cash on grooming services.

Keep your dog in the tub/shower by using a short leash. My dogs will willingly jump into the bathtub, but will also as easily jump right out in the middle of being shampooed. If you go to any do-it-yourself grooming place, you will notice that they have short leashes you use to keep your dog still while bathing him. What a simple idea. I found my dogs' short leashes from their puppy days and was able to tie the leash to the handle of the bath tub. Get creative - find a place to tie the leash and your dog is sure to stand still.