FAQs: The Dirty Truth About Dog Grooming

Because if you’re asking, it probably means you care and that’s our kind of human.

Why is grooming actually that important?

Let’s put it this way: it’s not just about the floofy finish. Grooming keeps your dog feeling good, not just looking good.
Regular grooming helps:

  • Spot problems early (like skin nasties, ticks, or sore spots)

  • Prevent painful matting (that can cut off circulation—yep, that serious)

  • Keep allergies, parasites and smells in check (yours and theirs)

It’s basically healthcare in a bubble bath.

How often should my dog be groomed?

It depends on their coat, lifestyle and mud-attraction levels. But here’s a rough cheat sheet.

Coat Type & Frequency:

Long/Curly (e.g. Cockapoos: Every 4–6 weeks

Short (e.g. Staffies: Every 6–12 weeks

Double-coated (e.g. Retrievers): Every 6–8 weeks with de-shedding

Between visits, regular brushing at home keeps things fresh. (And yep, we’ll happily show you how.)

What’s actually included in a professional groom?

At Dirty Dog Washes? A lot. We don’t do half-jobs.

Here’s what your dog gets:

  • The most important bit is a general health and fitness check (we track them in our app!)

  • Deep, gentle wash x2 with non-toxic, cruelty-free products

  • Blow dry (fluff up or smooth down, your call)

  • Full brush-out and detangling - de-matting if required

  • Breed-appropriate haircut, tidy-up or a style of your choice

  • Nail trim and file

  • Ear clean

Want extras?

We’ve got facials, paw balm, teeth cleaning and more.
Explore our Dirty Extras

Can I groom my dog at home?

You can—but should you? That depends.

Brushes, baths and bum wipes? Go wild or use our self-service dog wash station and keep your bathroom looking good.

Haircuts, nail trims and dematting? Maybe leave it to the pros. Dogs can’t say “ouch” in English, but they feel it all the same.

We’re trained to spot the signs, soothe the stress, and keep things safe. (Plus, your bathroom won’t look like a wet sheep exploded.)

My dog’s scared of groomers. Can you help?

Totally. We specialise in nervous nellies, drama queens, and first-timers.

Here’s what we do:

  • Slow introductions (we let them sniff us out)

  • No crate drying or conveyor belts just kind hands

  • One-on-one grooms

  • Calming environment (no loud dryers or chaos)

  • A safe outside space away from traffic to take a break in.

We work at your dog’s pace. Trust takes time, but we’re here for the long game.

How often should I trim their nails?

Roughly once a month, or whenever you hear the click-click on hard floors.
Long nails can mess with posture and joints over time.

Nervous? No shame. It’s tricky, and the “quick” (that pink bit inside) can bleed if cut.

We know how to avoid it and how to distract with a fish treat while we do it.

What about ears and teeth?

We clean ears during every full groom or you can add it to a wash.

For dental care, we offer gentle, dog-safe teeth cleaning, but remember nothing beats adding brushing at home (or at least some dental chews).

Pro tip: brushing just twice a week can reduce plaque by 80%. And stinky breath? Optional.

Will grooming help with shedding?

Yes. And dander. And allergies. And sofa hair.
Our de-shedding treatment is like spring-cleaning for your dog’s coat. It removes the undercoat before it ends up all over your black jeans.

Do you offer mobile grooming?

Not right now. We’re all about creating a safe, welcoming salon environment where dogs feel relaxed and humans can sip coffee while you wait across the street, or take a gym session next door, or even wander down to Swanky’s and have your own grooming session!

We’re just around the corner. And always worth the walk.

What products do you use?

Only the good stuff - we’re a huge fan of Pawdinary:

  • Ethical, non-toxic shampoos

  • pH-balanced for sensitive skin

  • Free from parabens, sulphates, or weird chemicals

We wouldn’t put it on your dog if we wouldn’t use it on our own.

Still got questions?

Pop in. Or drop us a DM—we love a chinwag (even if it’s not furry).

And if your dog has specific needs (health, temperament, breed quirks), let’s chat, we’ll tailor everything to them.