How Often Should You Groom Your Dog?

What Most Owners Don’t Realise Until It’s Too Late

One of the most common questions we get asked is:

“How often should my dog actually be groomed?”

And honestly, there’s no single answer that works for every dog.

A lot of owners think grooming is something you do once the coat starts looking messy, smelling, or getting too long. But one of the biggest mistakes we see every week in the salon is people waiting until the dog “looks bad” before booking.

The problem is that coat condition changes long before you can clearly see it on the surface.

Grooming Is About More Than Appearance

Most people think grooming is mainly about haircuts and keeping dogs looking fluffy.

But from our side, grooming is much more about comfort, coat health, hygiene, skin condition, and preventing problems before they start.

What surprises many owners is how quickly coats can change, especially in breeds like Cavoodles, Spoodles, Pomeranians, and other curly or double-coated dogs.

From the outside, the coat can still feel soft and fluffy.

Underneath, close to the skin, matting may already be forming.

That’s why we hear comments like:

“It just happened overnight…”

“He was groomed recently…”

“He still looked okay to me…”

And honestly, most owners genuinely believe that because the top layer still looks fine.

Why Some Dogs Suddenly Hate Brushing

Another thing we hear all the time is:

“He won’t let me brush him anymore.”

Most owners think this is a behaviour issue, but often the discomfort has already started.

Small knots begin forming underneath the coat. Brushing starts pulling on them, the dog reacts, and naturally both the owner and dog begin avoiding the process.

From there, it becomes a cycle:

• less brushing

• more matting

• more discomfort

• even less brushing

Before long, the dog comes in needing a much shorter clip than the owner expected.

Grooming Appointments Alone Are Usually Not Enough

One of the biggest misunderstandings about grooming schedules is the idea that coming every 6–8 weeks automatically keeps the coat healthy.

The reality is:what happens between appointments matters just as much.

Beach walks, swimming, harness friction, rolling around, getting wet, or even daily activity can completely change a coat much faster than most people realise.

Some dogs can start matting within days depending on the coat type and lifestyle.

That’s why regular maintenance at home is so important, even between professional grooms.

So… How Often Should Dogs Actually Be Groomed?

Every dog is different, but as a general guide:

Curly & Oodle Coats

Usually every 4–6 weeks, with brushing at home in between.

Double-Coated Breeds

Regular deshedding maintenance every 6–8 weeks helps manage undercoat build-up and skin health.

Short-Haired Dogs

Still benefit from regular bathing, nail trimming, hygiene care, and skin checks.

Puppies

Early grooming introductions are extremely important to build confidence and positive experiences.

The Emotional Side Owners Don’t Talk About

One thing we’ve learned over the years is that many owners already feel guilty before they even walk into the salon.

They start explaining themselves straight away:

“We’ve been busy…”

“I’ve tried brushing…”

“I didn’t realise it got this bad…”

And honestly, most of the time it’s not because people don’t care.

Life gets busy.

People work, have kids, travel, and don’t always realise how quickly things are changing underneath the coat.

That’s why our approach is never about judgement.

It’s about helping owners understand what’s happening and keeping dogs comfortable before problems become bigger.

A Situation We’ll Never Forget

One of the most serious matting cases we’ve ever seen involved a heavily matted Pomeranian that became extremely stressed and uncomfortable from the condition of the coat.

What started as a grooming appointment quickly became a welfare situation requiring immediate veterinary attention.

That experience reinforced something we already believed strongly:

Matting is not just cosmetic.

It can seriously affect a dog’s comfort, movement, stress levels, and overall wellbeing if left too long.

Our Honest Advice

If there’s one thing we’d tell every owner, it’s this:

Don’t wait until the coat looks bad.

By the time you can clearly see the problem on the outside, it’s often already much worse underneath.

Regular grooming and coat maintenance are always:

• safer

• easier

• less stressful

• less expensive

• and far more comfortable for your dog

than trying to fix severe matting later.

Need Help With Your Dog’s Coat?

At Pawz in Style, we work with dogs of all breeds, coat conditions, personalities, and grooming needs across Sydney and Sunshine Coast.

Our team includes experienced groomers, professional dog handlers, and veterinary experience within the salon environment to help keep pets comfortable, safe, and cared for throughout the grooming process.

🐾 Sydney & Sunshine Coast 📞 Contact us to book your next appointment.