Grooming your puppy at home
Simple, calm steps for baths, brushing, nails, teeth and ears.
General care guidance. Needs vary by species, age and health. Your veterinarian can tailor a plan for your pet.
Keep it short and calm
Pick a quiet time when your puppy is relaxed. Short sessions with treats teach your puppy that grooming is nothing to fear.
Never force or scold your puppy during grooming. If it gets upset, stop and try again later.
Set out everything you need before you start, so you never leave your puppy alone in the tub or on a table.
Baths and brushing
Use shampoo made for dogs. The AKC says not to use people products like shampoo, conditioner or toothpaste on your dog.
Brush often to keep mats from forming. If you find a small mat, work it loose with your fingers, a little conditioner and a comb instead of cutting it out.
After a bath, dry your puppy well with a towel and keep it out of drafts until it is fully dry.
Nails
Clip only the tip of each nail, straight across. Stay away from the quick, the pink part inside the nail that has blood in it.
If your puppy is nervous, do one nail per session and give a treat after each one.
Keep styptic powder close by. If a nail bleeds, press the powder on it. If the bleeding does not stop, call your vet.
Teeth and ears
Brush with a dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste. People toothpaste can contain xylitol, which is poisonous to dogs, and dogs swallow it.
Start by letting your puppy lick a little dog toothpaste off your finger, then move to a soft cloth, then a brush.
Wipe the outer ear gently with a damp cotton ball or soft cloth. Redness, swelling or a bad smell is a reason to see your vet.
Sources & further reading
Sources checked November 1, 2026. These are original starter summaries; read the full guidance below.
Puppy Basics, one short lesson a day.
Potty training, the crate, the first vet visit, feeding and socializing, in plain words. See the lessons
First 30 Days with your puppy.
A week-by-week checklist, a shopping list and a feeding schedule. Print it and stick it on the fridge.
Join the Gotcha Day club.
Tell us your pet’s name and the day they came home. Every year we send a happy Gotcha Day note.