by Sasha Riess | 29.03.26. | Coat Care
How often to bathe and brush dogs is a question every owner of a double-coated breed must master to ensure their pet’s health. Understanding how often to bathe and brush dogs correctly is not just an aesthetic ritual; it is a vital practice that directly affects the dog’s comfort, prevents pain during detangling, and helps effectively remove the undercoat. In many breeds, brushing a dry coat can be extremely painful, which is why your grooming routine must always combine proper bathing with brushing.
How Often to Bathe and Brush Dogs: Frequency Matters
The frequency of bathing depends on the environment in which the dog lives. A dog that stays in a clean home and does not sleep in the owner’s bed can usually be bathed once a week or every ten days. However, dogs that live in dirtier, urban environments or spend a lot of time outdoors may require more frequent bathing, every five to seven days. If the dog sleeps in the owner’s bed, many choose even more frequent bathing to maintain impeccable hygiene.
Why How Often to Bathe and Brush Dogs Is Vital for Double Coats
Breeds such as Pomeranians, Chow Chows, Keeshonds and Samoyeds have a dense undercoat that matts easily, especially when dry. Brushing without bathing often causes pain because the hair breaks, pulls and catches, and owners frequently make the mistake of brushing the dog “dry” thinking they are helping. Proper bathing with plenty of high quality conditioner allows the coat to glide under the brush and the undercoat to be removed easily.
Proper bathing with shampoo and conditioner prevents painful hair pulling.
What Does a Proper Brushing Routine Look Like
Undercoat is removed with special brushes that do not hurt the dog when the coat is well prepared. After bathing, with the right shampoo and conditioner, the coat separates more easily and the process becomes much more pleasant. Professionals in grooming academies teach students this skill first, how to hold the brush correctly, how to work in sections, and how to assess the condition of the coat before starting. If you are unsure how to brush your dog properly, it is best to do it after a bath or consult a groomer.
Why You Should Never Brush a Completely Dry Coat
Dry hair breaks easily, the skin becomes tight and every stroke of the brush can cause pain, especially in breeds with long or double coats. This is the main reason why many dogs run away from the brush, not because they dislike grooming, but because it hurts. Bathing and proper conditioning make an enormous difference and make the entire process much easier for both the dog and the owner.
At Integrative and Holistic Grooming Education, we believe that grooming is a conversation of touch. By choosing the right method, you turn a chore into a moment of pure bonding. Explore our philosophy: Linktree Sasha Riess
by Sasha Riess | 02.03.26. | Coat Care
Cleaning a Dog’s Ears: Why It Is Not as Simple as It Looks
One of the most common questions owners ask is: “How should I clean my dog’s ears. Can I put shampoo in them and rinse with water?”
At first glance, it sounds logical. You apply shampoo, rinse with water, the dog shakes his head, and it is done. However, the problem occurs much deeper inside the ear canal, exactly where water should never end up. Cleaning a dog’s ears requires a more careful approach than just basic washing.
Why Water in the Ears Can Cause Problems
Dogs have a natural mechanism for cleaning their ears. Anything that stays in the shallow part of the ear canal can usually be expelled by shaking the head.
The problem arises when:
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water penetrates below the cerumen layer (ear wax),
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dirt softens and becomes trapped,
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moisture remains locked inside the ear.
Under these conditions, the ear becomes an ideal environment for inflammation, fungal infections, bacterial growth, and unpleasant odor from the ears.
Shaking the head helps a dog expel excess fluid and keep ears dry.
Is Shampoo Safe for Dog Ears?
Shampoo itself is not the problem. The problem is how it is used. When shampoo comes into contact with dirt, it no longer behaves as shampoo but as foam. Foam has an excellent ability to break down grease, remove impurities, and clean surfaces.
This is why foam can be useful, but only if:
How to Properly Clean a Dog’s Ears
A safe approach to cleaning a dog’s ears includes the following steps:
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Use products specifically designed for cleaning dog ears.
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Do not pour water directly deep into the ear.
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Clean only the outer ear and the visible part of the canal.
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Rinse gently, without pressure.
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Allow the dog to shake thoroughly.
Dogs are naturally capable of expelling excess fluid from their ears, but only if the water has not become trapped beneath layers of ear wax.
The Most Common Owner Mistake
The biggest mistake is not cleaning itself, but overcleaning. Ears are not meant to be washed frequently, nor should they be cleaned “thoroughly” like skin.
Too much intervention:
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disrupts the ear’s natural protective barrier,
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increases the risk of infections,
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creates chronic ear problems.
For a healthy dog, minimal and proper hygiene is the best hygiene.
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by Sasha Riess | 03.02.26. | Coat Care
Problems with dog cosmetics rarely come from bad intentions on the part of owners. Much more often, they come from a lack of knowledge and from the need to care for dogs in a way that suits humans more than dogs themselves. The industry understands this very well and profits from it.
The Myth of 2-in-1 Dog Cosmetics
If you are holding a dog shampoo that claims to be both shampoo and conditioner in one product, it is important to understand this: That product is not made for the dog’s needs, but for the owner’s convenience.
The idea of “everything done in one wash” does not exist in chemistry. Shampoo and conditioner cannot function properly within the same formula because they have different chemical roles.
Why do products claiming to be 2-in-1, 3-in-1, or even 10-in-1 exist?
The reason is simple. If people do not want to use shampoo and conditioner separately, the market will provide an „all-in-one“ solution. These products are not developed to improve the dog’s health, but to sell more easily. In other words, this is not dog cosmetics for dogs—it is cosmetics designed for people.
How to Recognize When Someone Is Simply Taking Your Money
If you come across a cosmetic line for dogs that includes nose balm, paw balm, and special creams for every possible body part, this is a clear sign that the focus is on your wallet.
A dog does not need a softer nose or silky paws. These are not canine needs; they are human projections. A dog is not a baby and not an aesthetic object.
Shampoo and conditioner have different roles – that is why they are not used together.
What Does a Dog Truly Need?
A dog does need a hydrated nose, but that hydration comes from within, not from external products. It comes from:
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High-quality and properly balanced nutrition.
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Adequate water intake.
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A healthy mineral balance, especially sodium and potassium.
When these basic conditions are met, the dog’s body regulates the condition of the skin, nose, and paws on its own.
The Importance of Separate Shampoo and Conditioner
Shampoo and conditioner have different purposes. That is why they should never be used as one product. Less dog cosmetics, less chemistry, and more understanding of canine biology lead to a healthier and more stable dog.
A dog does not ask for luxury. A dog asks for a solid foundation.
This understanding of a dog’s emotional and physical state is at the heart of everything we do. At Holistic Grooming Education, we teach people how to apply these principles of stability and care in their everyday lives with their dogs, helping create calm, healthy, and happy results.
