Grooming at home — the 30-minute weekly routine

A weekly slot is enough

Pick the same half-hour every week. Saturday morning is a popular choice. Dogs learn rhythms quickly — within a month, most will sit on the mat the moment they see the brushes come out.

Brush by coat, not by breed

• Short coats: rubber curry brush, two minutes.
• Medium: pin-and-bristle combo, five minutes.
• Long / double: slicker followed by an undercoat rake, ten minutes.

Always finish in the direction of the coat to keep it shiny.

Nails without the drama

Clip one nail. Treat. Clip another. Treat. Stop. Five nails a day is plenty for the first month. The "treat after every snip" pattern is the trick that breaks the fear cycle.

Teeth — twice a week, gently

Use a dog-safe paste. Finger brushes work better than handles for the first few sessions. Two minutes is plenty.