From shampoo choices to nail trimming and brushing, some of the most familiar dog grooming advice deserves a second look.
Most dog owners build their grooming routines from experience, advice from friends and family, and recommendations they've heard over the years. Some of that advice is helpful, while other recommendations have been repeated so often that we rarely stop to question whether they're still the best approach.
Our understanding of canine skin and coat health has improved, grooming products have evolved, and we've learned more about how routine care affects a dog's comfort and mobility.
At A Place for Paws, we believe grooming is about much more than keeping dogs looking and smelling nice. It's an important part of their overall well-being.
Let's take a closer look at some common grooming beliefs, where they come from, and what matters most for your dog today.
Bathing and Shampoo: Is What You've Heard Really True?
Myth #1: Baby Shampoo or Human Shampoo Is Gentle Enough for Dogs
Baby shampoo seems like a reasonable choice for a puppy. It's designed to be gentle, so why wouldn't it work for your dog?
The answer comes down to skin health. Human and canine skin differ in surface pH and barrier characteristics, and dogs have their own coat types and grooming needs. Even products labeled gentle or hypoallergenic for people aren't necessarily appropriate for regular use on dogs.
An occasional use doesn't automatically mean a problem will develop, but a shampoo formulated for dogs is generally the better choice. The right product should remove dirt and debris without unnecessarily disrupting the skin's protective barrier.
The best shampoo also depends on your dog's individual needs. At A Place for Paws, our everyday go-to is TropiClean Deep Cleaning Shampoo. For dogs with sensitive skin, we recommend exploring Skout's Honor Probiotic shampoos or Pet Releaf CBD shampoos, choosing a specific formula suited to your dog's needs.
What matters: Choose a dog-specific shampoo suited to your dog's age, coat, and skin condition. Gentle for humans doesn't always mean appropriate for dogs, and not every dog needs the same formula.
Myth #2: Dawn Dish Soap Is Great for Bathing Dirty Dogs
Dawn is an effective degreaser, which explains why it has become popular for cleaning oily substances from animals and removing some of the residue associated with skunk spray. But there's a difference between removing an unusual contaminant and bathing a dog routinely.
What about really dirty or greasy dogs?
For certain oily substances, a degreasing detergent may help. However, your dog's skin naturally produces oils that support its protective barrier and contribute to coat condition. Repeatedly stripping those oils can contribute to dryness, irritation, and changes in coat quality.
A muddy dog usually doesn't need a product designed to remove cooking grease. A quality canine shampoo is better suited to routine cleaning.
What about fleas?
Dawn dish soap has a reputation for killing fleas, but its effectiveness isn't unique. Like ordinary shampoos, it contains surfactants that help wet, immobilize, and wash away fleas, some of which may drown during bathing.
A shampoo specifically formulated to kill fleas and ticks, with appropriate active ingredients, is generally a better choice when parasite removal is the goal. These products are designed to target fleas, ticks, or both, depending on the formulation.
However, even a flea and tick shampoo may not provide ongoing protection or address parasites developing in the dog's environment.
For routine bathing, a quality dog shampoo, like Tropiclean Flea + Tick, is preferable to Dawn, which is formulated to remove grease rather than maintain the natural oils of a dog's skin and coat.
And what about skunk spray?
This is another situation where the grease-cutting ability of dish detergent can be helpful.
Skunk spray contains oily compounds that cling to the coat. Dawn is sometimes included in homemade de-skunking solutions because it helps break up and remove those oils. In commonly recommended peroxide-and-baking-soda mixtures, the other ingredients help chemically neutralize odor-causing compounds.
Dawn alone may help remove some oily residue, but it isn't a complete odor neutralizer.
Skunk-removal mixtures also require care around the eyes and mouth, and peroxide-based mixtures should be prepared fresh rather than stored.
What matters: Dawn has useful cleaning properties, particularly when removing certain oils and greasy substances. But that doesn't make it an ideal everyday dog shampoo. For routine bathing, a properly formulated canine shampoo, like Skout's Honor Skunk Odor Eliminator and TropiClean Skunk Odor Control can clean effectively while being better suited to maintaining healthy skin and coat condition.
Myth #3: Dogs Shouldn't Be Bathed More Than Once a Month
The advice to limit bathing comes from a reasonable concern: harsh shampoos and excessive washing can dry the skin and disrupt its protective barrier. But that doesn't mean every dog should follow the same bathing schedule.
A dog who spends most of the day indoors has different needs from one who swims, hikes, plays in mud, or attends daycare several times a week. Coat type matters, too, and some dogs with specific skin conditions may benefit from more frequent bathing with products selected for their needs.
Modern dog shampoos can make regular bathing practical for many dogs. Some may do well with weekly baths, while others need much less frequent washing.
The goal isn't to bathe as often as possible. It's to keep the skin and coat clean and comfortable without causing unnecessary irritation.
What matters: There is no universal bathing schedule. Consider your dog's activity level, coat, skin, and the products you use rather than following an arbitrary once-a-month rule.
Myth #4: If Your Dog Smells Bad, It Just Needs Another Bath
We all recognize that familiar dog smell, especially after a rainy walk or an afternoon outdoors. But when a dog develops a strong, persistent, or unusual odor, another bath may not solve the problem.
Healthy dogs have a natural scent, and some coats retain more odor than others. Dirt, moisture, and environmental debris can contribute to temporary smells that bathing easily removes.
Persistent odor, however, may originate from somewhere more specific.
Ears can develop unpleasant odors when inflammation or infection is present. Skin folds may trap moisture and debris. Dental problems can cause strong breath, and some skin conditions involving yeast or bacteria produce distinctive smells.
A dense coat that remains damp near the skin can also develop an unpleasant odor, particularly when moisture is trapped beneath the outer hair.
One useful clue is how quickly the smell returns. If a dog smells unpleasant again shortly after a thorough bath and drying, the issue may not be a lack of cleanliness.
What matters: Rather than repeatedly shampooing a dog with persistent odor, try to identify where the smell originates. Sometimes the solution involves addressing a specific skin, ear, dental, or coat-care issue rather than simply bathing more frequently.
Nail Care: Small Details That Make a Big Difference
Myth #5: Walking on Pavement Keeps a Dog's Nails Short
It's true that walking on hard surfaces can naturally wear down a dog's nails. For some active dogs, that wear contributes significantly to nail maintenance.
But it doesn't necessarily keep every nail at an appropriate length.
How much wear occurs depends on the dog's activity level, walking surfaces, gait, and the way individual nails contact the ground. Some nails may wear down more quickly than others.
Dewclaws, which are positioned higher on the leg, generally don't contact the ground at all. Without regular attention, they can become overgrown and may even curl toward the skin.
Older dogs and dogs with limited mobility may experience less natural nail wear. Changes in how a dog walks can also cause uneven wear.
What matters: Even dogs who enjoy daily pavement walks need regular nail checks. Look at all the nails, including dewclaws, rather than assuming exercise is taking care of them.
Myth #6: Nails Only Need Trimming When They Look Too Long
Nails grow gradually, so it's easy to overlook their length until they click on the floor or begin affecting how the toes meet the ground. But nail care is about comfort and movement, not just appearance.
Overgrown nails can interfere with paw placement, traction, and comfortable movement. They can also become harder to shorten safely because the quick—the part containing blood vessels and nerves—may extend farther toward the tip as the nail grows.
Regular, small trims or grinding sessions can help maintain nail length. For dogs with significantly overgrown nails, a consistent schedule may also allow the quick to gradually recede.
Frequent, positive handling helps, too. Short sessions can teach dogs that paw handling is a normal part of life rather than something to endure only when nails become uncomfortable.
What matters: Make nail care routine maintenance instead of waiting until nails are obviously overgrown. Checking them weekly is a good habit, although the appropriate trimming interval varies by dog.
Brushing and Coat Care: More Than Keeping Hair Neat
Myth #7: Short-Haired Dogs Don't Need Brushing
Brushing isn't just for long coats and tangles. Short-haired dogs shed, sometimes heavily, and regular brushing helps remove loose hair, dirt, and debris.
It also gives you a chance to notice changes in the skin, such as bumps, irritation, dry patches, or unusual hair loss.
Choose tools suited to the coat. A rubber grooming brush or soft brush may work well for a short, smooth coat, while aggressive brushing or excessive pressure can irritate the skin.
What matters: Short-haired dogs benefit from brushing, too. The goal is to support coat condition, manage shedding, and become familiar with what's normal for your dog's skin.
Myth #8: If You've Brushed the Top of the Coat, You've Brushed the Whole Dog
A fluffy, freshly brushed coat can look beautiful while hiding tangles underneath. This is especially common in doodles, poodles, and other dogs with long, curly, or dense coats.
Mats often develop close to the skin, where hair rubs together during everyday movement. Behind the ears, under the legs, around collars and harnesses, and near the tail are common trouble spots.
One technique that helps is called line brushing. Rather than brushing across the surface, the coat is gently separated into small sections so the brush can work through the hair closer to the skin. A metal grooming comb can then be used to check whether tangles remain.
The technique doesn't need to be complicated, but learning to use the correct brush, pressure, and method makes an enormous difference.
If you're unsure whether you're brushing thoroughly, ask us at Paws Dog Wash or your regular grooming professional to show you how to line brush your dog's coat. A short demonstration can help you understand how to reach the undercoat without pulling or irritating the skin.
What matters: A coat that looks brushed isn't necessarily free of tangles. Reaching through the coat gently and checking with a comb can prevent small tangles from becoming uncomfortable mats.
Myth #9: Shaving a Double-Coated Dog Keeps It Cooler in Summer
When temperatures rise, removing a thick coat may seem like an obvious way to help a dog stay cool. But a dog's coat does more than provide warmth.
Double-coated breeds, including Huskies, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds, have an outer layer of protective guard hairs and a softer undercoat. These layers provide insulation and help protect the skin from environmental exposure and direct sunlight.
That doesn't mean a thick coat always keeps a dog cool in every condition. Dogs primarily regulate body temperature through mechanisms such as panting, and heat management depends on more than coat length alone.
Shaving removes the coat's protective layers and can alter regrowth, sometimes resulting in delayed or uneven coat recovery. For most healthy double-coated dogs, regular brushing and appropriate deshedding are preferable to routine summer shaving.
Exceptions exist, including severe matting, medical needs, and individual circumstances in which clipping is appropriate.
What matters: Before shaving a double-coated dog for summer comfort, consider thorough deshedding, shade, hydration, and activity during cooler parts of the day. Watch for signs of overheating regardless of coat type.
Myth #10: Mats Are Just a Cosmetic Problem
Mats can do much more than make a coat look untidy. Tightly tangled hair pulls on the skin, and normal movement can increase that tension. Severe matting may restrict comfortable movement, trap moisture, and conceal irritation or injury.
Trying to brush out every mat isn't necessarily the kindest option. When mats are tight against the skin, pulling them apart can be painful and may damage the skin. Carefully clipping the matted hair may be more humane than trying to preserve coat length.
This is why a groomer may recommend a shorter haircut than an owner originally requested. The dog's comfort and the condition of the coat should guide that decision.
Regular brushing, appropriate bathing, thorough drying, and scheduled grooming can help prevent tangles from becoming severe mats.
What matters: Matting isn't just an appearance issue. Keeping the coat free of tight tangles protects the skin and helps your dog move comfortably.
Drying: Does Hotter Mean Better?
Myth #11: Hot Air Dries Dogs Better and Faster
Because people commonly use heated hair dryers, it seems logical to assume that hotter air is the best way to dry a dog. Heat can increase evaporation, but effective dog drying doesn't require high temperatures.
Holding a heated dryer too close to the skin or concentrating hot air in one place can cause discomfort and potentially burns. Dense coats also present a challenge because the outer hair may feel dry while moisture remains trapped closer to the skin.
Professional forced-air dryers work by using concentrated airflow to move water out of the coat rather than relying primarily on heat. Towel drying first can further reduce drying time.
At Paws Dog Wash, our self-wash stations use forced-air dryers without added heat. This approach helps us dry coats effectively without exposing dogs to unnecessary high temperatures. Because some dogs are sensitive to noise or airflow, it's also important to introduce the dryer gradually and pay attention to their comfort.
What matters: Hotter isn't automatically better. Appropriate airflow, technique, and patience help achieve a thoroughly dry coat while keeping your dog's comfort and skin health in mind.
The Best Grooming Routine Is the One That Fits Your Dog
There's no single grooming routine that works for every dog. A short-coated Labrador who swims every weekend has different needs from a curly-coated doodle. A senior dog who spends much of the day resting may need more help with nail maintenance than an active young dog, while a puppy learning to enjoy grooming needs a different approach from a dog who's comfortable with baths and brushing.
Those needs can change throughout a dog's life, too.
Good grooming means paying attention to those differences: choosing products suited to the skin and coat, maintaining nails before they become uncomfortable, brushing effectively rather than simply brushing often, and making the experience as positive as possible.
At A Place for Paws, we believe understanding why we do something is just as important as knowing how to do it. Whether you're bathing your dog at home, using our self-wash stations, or working with a professional groomer, we're happy to help you understand the products, tools, and techniques that may work best for your dog.
Because grooming isn't just about having a clean, beautiful dog. It's about helping your dog feel comfortable, healthy, and cared for throughout their life.