Most grooming problems (mats, long nails, smelly ears, bad breath) don't come from doing the wrong thing. They come from small jobs that slip for a few weeks. A simple checklist fixes that. Below is the at-home dog grooming checklist our groomers give clients: what to do every day, every week and every month, how it changes by coat type, and what to check before each trip to the groomer. Save the page, screenshot the lists, or print it and put it on the fridge.
Get a checklist made for your dog's coat in the free 1-min quizStart the Pawfile quiz →- Daily (2 to 5 min): quick brush of the friction spots, wipe eyes, check paws after walks.
- Weekly: full brush-out to the skin, teeth, ears, nails check.
- Monthly: nail trim, bath (most dogs), sanitary and paw-pad tidy, skin and weight check.
- Every 4 to 8 weeks: professional groom for coats that keep growing.
- Biggest rule: short and often beats long and rare.
Daily dog grooming checklist (2 to 5 minutes)
- Brush the friction spots: behind the ears, collar or harness line, armpits and back of the legs. That's where mats start.
- Wipe the eyes with a soft damp cloth, especially on white or flat-faced breeds. See dog tear stains if you see reddish-brown marks.
- Check paws after walks for burrs, sand, cuts or hot-pavement redness, and dry between the toes if they got wet.
- Brush the teeth if you can. Daily is ideal; a few times a week still helps. Our guide on how to brush a dog's teeth walks you through it.
Weekly dog grooming checklist
- Full brush-out down to the skin. Not just the top. Finish with a metal comb: if it doesn't glide from skin to tip, keep going. Curly and doodle coats need this 3 or more times a week (see the Goldendoodle grooming guide).
- Look inside the ears. They should be pale pink with little smell. Wipe the outer ear with a cotton pad and a dog ear cleaner; never push anything down the canal.
- Check the nails. If you hear clicking on the floor, they're due. Our guide on how often to trim dog nails has the details.
- Run your hands over the whole body for lumps, ticks, fleas, hot spots or tender areas.
- Wash the bed and toys or at least shake out the bedding. A clean bed means a cleaner-smelling dog.
Checklist tools from the Pawradise shop: Self-cleaning slicker brush · Stainless steel comb set · Quiet nail grinder
Mango's guides: a happy coat between grooms
Printable PDF guides from our groomers, with Mango as your coach. Instant download after checkout, anywhere in the US. English and Spanish editions included.
- Mango's Grooming Calendar & Checklists · $7.99 (the printable version of this checklist)
- Mango's Starter Kit: Brushing Guide + Calendar · $19.99 (Calendar + Brushing Guide, save $2.99)
- Mango's Between-Visits Brushing Guide · $14.99
Monthly dog grooming checklist
- Trim or grind the nails (every 3 to 4 weeks for most dogs).
- Bath for most dogs, with a dog shampoo and a full rinse. How often depends on the coat: see how often to bathe your dog and how to bathe a dog at home.
- Tidy the paw pads and sanitary area on long-haired dogs, or book a quick tidy-up between full grooms.
- Check weight and skin. Can you feel the ribs easily? Any flaky, red or bald patches? Note it for the vet.
- Restock shampoo, ear cleaner, toothpaste and treats so nothing gets skipped next month.
Dog grooming chart by coat type
The checklist above is the base. This is how often brushing, baths and grooms usually work by coat. Not sure which one your dog has? The dog coat types guide explains each one, or take the free quiz.
Brush 1 to 2 times a week with a rubber curry or bristle brush. Bath every 4 to 8 weeks. No haircuts needed; a bath-and-nails visit every 6 to 8 weeks is plenty.
Brush 2 to 3 times a week, daily during shedding season, with an undercoat rake and slicker. Bath every 4 to 8 weeks. Deshedding groom every 6 to 8 weeks. Don't shave it.
Line brush down to the skin 3 or more times a week, daily during the puppy coat change. Bath every 3 to 6 weeks. Haircut every 4 to 6 weeks.
Brush daily or every other day, plus a face and eye wipe. Bath every 3 to 4 weeks. Groom every 4 to 6 weeks, or keep a short puppy cut.
Brush 1 to 2 times a week and comb the beard and legs. Bath every 4 to 8 weeks. Groom or hand-strip every 6 to 8 weeks.
For your exact breed, open its guide from the grooming schedule by breed.
Before-the-groomer checklist
- Brush out what you can the week before, especially if the coat is long. Heavy mats can mean a shorter cut than you wanted.
- Take your dog out for a walk and a potty break before the appointment.
- Tell the groomer about any lumps, skin issues, sore spots, recent vet visits or behavior worries.
- Bring a photo of the cut you want, or read types of dog haircuts first so you know what to ask for.
- Keep vaccines up to date and ask the salon what they require.
How to make the checklist stick
- Tie it to something you already do. Brush after the evening walk, check nails on Sunday, bath on the first weekend of the month.
- Keep the tools in one spot where you'll see them.
- Use treats or a lick mat so grooming time is something your dog looks forward to. If your dog fights it, start with our tips for dogs who hate grooming.
- Write it down. A tracker on the fridge, ticked off by whoever did it, is the easiest way to keep a whole family on the same page.
Dog grooming checklist FAQ
What should be on a dog grooming checklist?
Brushing, teeth, ears, eyes, nails, paws, baths and a skin and body check. Most dogs need a quick daily check, a fuller weekly routine and a monthly nail trim and bath, plus a professional groom every 4 to 8 weeks if their coat keeps growing.
How often should I groom my dog at home?
A few minutes a day plus one longer session a week works for most dogs. Curly, doodle and long-haired coats need brushing more often than short coats.
How often should a dog see a professional groomer?
Usually every 4 to 6 weeks for curly, doodle and long-haired coats, every 6 to 8 weeks for double and wire coats, and every 6 to 8 weeks for a bath and nails on short coats.
Is there a printable dog grooming checklist?
You can print this page. If you'd like a ready-to-print version, Mango's Grooming Calendar & Checklists ($7.99, PDF) has 12 undated monthly pages, a brushing tracker, a fridge poster and a kids' brushing chart.
How often should I brush my dog's teeth?
Daily is ideal and a few times a week still helps. Use a dog toothpaste, never human toothpaste.
What does a professional groom include?
It depends on the salon. Every Pawradise bath and groom includes teeth brushing and a nail trim. See what affects the price of a groom. New to our Boca Raton salon? Get $10 off your first groom with code PAWFILE10.
This guide is general grooming information, not veterinary advice. If you notice lumps, sores, hair loss, ear pain or constant scratching, talk to your vet. More Pawfile guides.