How Often Should You Groom Your Dog?

A Dog On Fun Grooming Guide for Dog Owners in Covina

If you’ve ever wondered “How often should I groom my dog?”—you’re not alone. At Dog On Fun in Covina, it’s one of the questions we hear most from dog parents. The real answer? It’s different for every dog—but it doesn’t need to be complicated. This is the simple guide we use with our clients to keep dogs healthy, happy, clean, and comfortable year-round. One quick read, and you’ll never have to guess again.

Why Grooming Frequency Matters

Grooming isn’t just about looking clean after a haircut. It directly affects your dog’s skin health and natural oils, shedding control, comfort in SoCal heat, paw health and nail comfort, ear hygiene, and even behavior. Good grooming isn’t vanity—it’s wellness care.

Screenshot This: The Quick Answer

The biggest factor in grooming frequency is coat type. Find your dog below:

Short Coat (Terrier, Beagle, Boxer, Pitbull)
• Bath: every 6–8 weeks
• Nails: every 3–4 weeks
• Brushing: weekly
• Why: odor control, shedding

Medium Coat (Labrador, Aussie, Shepherd, Golden Retriever)
• Bath: every 4–6 weeks
• Nails: every 2–3 weeks
• Brushing: 2–3× week
• Why: tangles, seasonal shedding

Long Coat (Poodle, Doodle, Shih Tzu, Yorkie, Maltese)
• Bath: every 4 weeks
• Nails: every 2–3 weeks
• Brushing: daily
• Why: matting, hygiene, sanitary trim

Double Coat (Husky, Malamute, Akita, German Shepherd)
• Bath: every 8–12 weeks
• Nails: every 3 weeks
• Brushing: 2–3× week
• Why: undercoat protection, airflow

Puppies (Any breed)
• Bath: every 4–6 weeks
• Brushing: daily short sessions
• Why: early confidence, grooming calmness

Does SoCal Change the Schedule?

A bit. Dogs in Southern California deal with heat, dry air, and year-round outdoor play. Add in grass, dust, beaches, and pool time, and your dog can need brushing and bathing a little more consistently—especially during warmer months. If your dog is active outside daily, don’t stretch the schedule.

Signs You’re Waiting Too Long

If you’ve noticed mats behind the ears or collar area, hair clumping near the chest or belly, nails tapping on the floor, licking paws constantly, dog smell returning quickly, flaky skin, eye crust stuck to fur, or a “lion tail” mat—your dog is overdue. If you see more than two of these signs, it’s time for a groom.

What You Can Do at Home

You don’t need a professional for everything. At home, you can handle weekly brushing, quick nail checks, ear wipes (vet-approved), eye area cleaning, and between-bath brushing sessions. Try this routine: 5 minutes every day—your groomer will love you (and your dog will too).

When a Professional Groomer Makes Sense

Some things are best done by a pro: nail trimming, sanitary trim, paw pad cleanup, deshedding and undercoat blowout, coat shaping for poodles and doodles, mat removal, ear cleaning and trim, and puppy “first groom” confidence building. If brushing feels like a fight or your dog acts uncomfortable, a professional groom can reset the coat and make maintenance easier at home.

A Note for First-Time Dog Owners

Don’t feel bad if you didn’t know any of this. Most owners learn grooming the hard way—when their dog mats, smells, or feels uncomfortable. If all you do after reading this is pick your dog’s coat type, screenshot the schedule, and set a reminder—you’re already ahead of most dog owners.

FAQ (From Real Dog On Fun Clients)

How often should I groom my dog in SoCal heat?
If your dog spends time outdoors daily, plan on more brushing and more frequent baths—heat and grasses can irritate skin.

When should puppies start grooming?
8–12 weeks is ideal. Early grooming builds confidence, reduces fear, and creates a calm adult dog.

Do short-coat dogs really need grooming?
Yes—just less often. Short coats produce oils and can develop odor and skin discomfort if neglected.

How often should nails be trimmed?
Every 2–4 weeks. If you hear clicking, it’s time.

Can I bathe my dog more often?
Yes, if you’re using the right shampoo and following coat-type needs.

Final Thoughts from Dog On Fun

The right grooming rhythm makes life better for both you and your dog. You don’t need to guess. If you’re unsure, ask us—we help Covina dog owners build grooming schedules that fit their dog and lifestyle. Your dog will look better, feel better, and act better when grooming is a routine, not a rescue mission.

About Dog On Fun (Covina, CA)

Dog On Fun is a dog care center in Covina, California, offering grooming, training, and boarding designed around one belief: dogs live better when care is simple, positive, and consistent. From the grooming room to training sessions, everything we do is built to help your dog look good, feel good, and behave beautifully.

Ready to Groom Smarter?

If you want help figuring out your dog’s grooming schedule—or if brushing feels like a battle—visit us at Dog On Fun in Covina. We’ll make it easy.