15 Essential tools for DIY dog grooming

When it comes to dog grooming, having the right tools can make a world of difference. From brushing and bathing to drying and styling, here are 15 essential tools I recommend you invest in to help you groom your fur-baby at home:

1. Grooming table

The first thing you’ll need is a flat surface you can groom your dog on. You could use the laundry bench or a table outside, but what I like to use is a grooming table. 

I purchased my grooming table from Amazon when I started my grooming business. I couldn’t be happier with it. It has a non-slip table top, an adjustable grooming arm, and it’s portable - you can fold up the legs and remove the grooming arms for easy storage.

It also has three loops on each end of the grooming arm that you can attach things to, such as a belly strap to hold your dog up and prevent them from sitting.

2. Hairdresser stool

Grooming your dog can hurt your back if you’re constantly leaning over them. Especially if you’re new to grooming, it could take you a few bursts over a couple of days to finish grooming your dog, which can be a lot of strain on your back. I sit on a hairdresser stool, it has a lever to adjust the hight of the seat, and it has wheels so I can easily move around the table. It’s really helpful when you’re grooming your dog’s legs and underneath their belly/groin area.

3. Clippers

I have a pair of Heiniger cordless clippers. I love that they’re cordless, it makes it really easy to makeover around the dog you’re grooming. The corded clippers can get quite tangled, especially if your dog moves around a bit.

I’ve had these clippers for four years now. I use them every week for my grooming business. I was lucky to have bought them second hand from the grooming school I trained at, because they are expensive, but they’re worth it. They come with a size 10 blade, a battery and a charger.

You can purchase cheaper clippers, just do your research first - I have found some of the cheaper clippers you can buy from say Kmart or Aldi aren’t strong enough to clip through thick fur.

4. Comb attachment set

I use the Wahl stainless steel comb attachment set. These combs attach to A5 blades which are compatible with my Heiniger cordless clippers.

There’s eight different comb lengths in the set. I like to use a four comb (which is 13mm) most of the time. I often use the two comb (which will trim the fur to a 6mm length) in summer when you want a shorter coat. When grooming puppies for the first time, I like to use either a seven or eight comb to keep their fur a bit longer. 

I highly recommend first time groomers use comb attachments and not metal blades. Metal blades can heat up very quickly and can cause razor burn which is an itchy rash on your dog’s skin which is uncomfortable for them.

5. Mini trimmers

I absolutely love mini trimmers, they’re cheap and I use them on every dog I groom. I use them to shave their feet, shave in between their paws, shave their arm pits, shave out little mats behind their ears and shave their sanitary area. They’re great for grooming small dogs because they can get into those hard to reach places like arm pits.

I prefer to use Shear Magic Rocket 4500 battery operated Mini Trimmers (read my Mini Trimmers review for more info on the pros and cons of these mini trimmers compared to the Wahl Pocket Pro Mini Trimmers).

6. Slicker brush

A slicker brush, it’s the one and only brush I use on all the dogs I groom. I do only groom dogs that need to be clipped, so if your dog has a short coat you might use a different brush. Slicker brushes have fine, wiry bristles, that are great at removing loose fur and getting out knots and mats. 

I bought my brush from Kmart four years ago for $4 and it’s still in great condition. Other groomers I know prefer to use a double-sided flexible slicker brush. One side of the brush is specifically for brushing and the other for getting rid of knots and mats. The flexible head can put less strain on your hands and wrists.

7. Scissors with rounded tip

If you’re new to grooming, a pair of dog grooming straight scissors with a round tip is essential. The round tip can help prevent you accidentally cutting your dog’s skin or paw pads.

8. Scissor and comb set

When I first started grooming I bought a basic scissor and comb set, which came with multiple scissors (or shears) and a comb, which was quite cheap. I use the straight scissors (which you’ll notice doesn’t have a round tip) to trim most areas, however I’ll always use the rounded tip scissors when I trim the fur in between a dog’s eyes, just encase they accidentally move so I don’t accidentally poke them in the eye with a sharp end.

The set also comes with a pair of curved scissors which I use to trim around dog’s feet, to trim tails, trim ears and to also trim the fur around their mouth.

The set also includes thinning shears. These scissors are great to use when grooming you dog’s head to blend the hair cut or softer it so you don’t have a blunt cut which you get with normal scissors. They can also be used to remove unwanted bulk, like from around a dog’s muzzle if the fur is really thick.

I use the comb to comb through my dog’s tails, ears, I use it when trimming the fur around their eyes, and around their face to create that teddy bear look. I also use it to comb through the rest of their body once I’ve brushed with a slicker brush to check for any hidden knots of mats.

9. De-matting comb

A de-matting comb is a groomers best friend. The one I use has eleven serrated blades that easily cut through mats, tangles and knots. Once the mat is broken up, you simply use the slicker brush to brush out the rest of it and remove it completely.

10. Nail clippers

Nail clippers are essential for dog grooming. I use a small size pair because I mainly groom dogs that are around 10kgs, but I also use them on a couple of large dogs I groom, but you can buy a larger pair if you have a big dog. These clippers are comfortable to hold and they have a handy safety guard to help prevent you from over clipping. 

11. High velocity pet dryer

Using a high velocity pet dryer will dramatically speed up the drying process. You may be tempted to whip out your human hair dryer, however dog skin in a lot thinner than human skin which means our hair dryers can easily dry out their skin, or worst burn them when on a heat setting. You could use a human hair dryer on a cool setting, however human hair dryers aren’t as powerful as pet dryers which means it will take you a lot longer to dry your dog. 

High velocity pet dryer use force to remove water from the hair. My dryer has a couple of heat setting, it has high heat, low heat, and no heat which I use in summer. It has a dial which increases the speed of the air flow, which you can dial up or down depending on how comfortable your dog is. It also comes with a few different shaped nozzles.

12. Grooming belly sling

I use a grooming belly sling on dogs that sit down when I try to groom their back legs. I attach it to the top of my grooming table, and I place the strap under their belly and adjust the straps so their feet are still sitting flat on the grooming table. They can then rest their weight on the sling which will prevent them from sitting so you can easily groom their legs.

13. Slip lead

I attach a slip lead to my grooming table to help keep the dog I’m grooming still. I prefer to use this lead instead of the grooming loops which came with my grooming table because I can tie the slip lead to the grooming table using a quick release slip knot, so if a dog accidentally falls of the table, the lead will release and the dog will fall to the floor without injuring their neck or worse.

14. Grooming jacket

I wear a grooming jacket made by Groom Tech. It has a comfortable neckline, a zip to the side, a pocket for your phone and it’s long enough to cover your bum so if you sit down on a stool fur won’t get stuck to your bum, and that’s because the jacket is made from100% Polyester which is totally hair repellent. There’s nothing worse than getting fur stuck to your clothes, and once you put those clothes into the wash, the fur gets stuck to everything in the washing machine. It’s not water resistant, however I find it helps keep your cloths underneath dry when you bath your dog.

15. Dog Shampoo and conditioner

I use Vetkleen and Melanie Newman’s dog shampoo and conditioner. Whatever your shampoo preferences is, just make sure it’s dog shampoo. It’s not recommended to use human shampoo on dogs. Without getting into the nitty-gritty, dogs have a different pH balance to us, which means our shampoo can be too acidic for them and can damage their skin.

Regular grooming will not only keep your dog looking good but also contributes to their overall health and wellbeing. With these essential tools, you'll be well-equipped to keep your dog looking and feeling their best.

I’m a qualified dog groomer and fur-mum to two cavoodles; Soda and Poppy. I’m passionate about the health and wellbeing of dogs, as well as helping dog parents groom their dogs at home. I’ll teach you the basics, however if you don’t feel comfortable or confident at any time that’s completely fine, book your dog in for a regular groom and pamper session at the salon. Please never leave your dog unattended on a grooming table.

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