DIY Dog Grooming: Location, Location, Location!

Finding the Best Location to Groom Your Dog

Finding a good place to groom your dog can make a huge difference in establishing the habit.  A suitable location for grooming should be convenient and enjoyable in order to be conducive to the regular practice of grooming your dog.  Consider the following factors when determining the best place to do your dog grooming:

Essential elements: The ideal grooming location should have enough space to move around in, has good lighting and is easy to clean. 

Indoors or outdoors? A harsh climate makes outdoor dog grooming difficult during much of the year while a temperate climate is more conducive to outdoor grooming. Long-haired dogs whose coat stays in the comb are easy to groom indoors, but brushing your short-coated dog may release tiny hairs into the air, so you may have to find an outdoor location.

How much clean-up will your dog require?  The size of the dog and the mess your dog grooming sessions will make can determine the best location to groom.  Think: splashed walls, floor puddles (and in some cases, flying hair). A homeowner may find that a basement or enclosed porch can make a great grooming studio whereas apartment dwellers may find that the family's bathroom (depending on the size of the dog) can do the trick.