Grooming Dogs in a Multiple Dog Household
- Wendy Brooks
- Feb 15
- 6 min read
Grooming Four Border Collies and a Terrier
How it all began
Before I began my formal training as a dog groomer, I always took care of grooming my own dogs at home. This involved regular bathing and brushing to keep their coats clean and healthy.
Over the years, I have shared my home with a variety of breeds, including Yorkshire Terriers, Jack Russell Terriers, a German Shepherd, and a Doberman Pinscher. This mix gave me experience with both small and large dogs, as well as those with long and short coats. Despite the diversity, I never felt the need to use a professional dog groomer.
Maisie the Yorkshire terrier
I particularly remember keeping my Yorkshire Terrier in full coat, which was not difficult. From puppyhood, I brushed and combed her daily. After muddy walks, I would bathe her at home, shampoo and condition her coat, then dry her with my own hairdryer. I enjoyed brushing her silky fur and running a comb through every inch to ensure it was tangle-free.
She was very much a dog when it came to outdoor activities, happily walking as far as any of our other dogs—definitely not a handbag dog. At home, however, she preferred to be on my lap while I watched television. I found it therapeutic to stroke her and gently run my fingers through her coat. If I encountered a knot, I always had a brush and comb handy to address it immediately. Grooming became a bonding experience for us, and she loved being handled. However, I initially struggled with nail clipping due to a lack of confidence about where to cut safely. When I finally attempted it, she was uncooperative and wriggled so much that I was afraid I might hurt her. This remained a challenge, so I made a promise to trim the claws of any future dogs regularly from an early age to avoid similar issues.
Other breeds
The other breeds I lived with were relatively low maintenance. Occasional baths and regular brushing were sufficient to keep their coats in good condition.
Things changed when I welcomed a long-coated Border Collie into my home. He loved getting muddy, and while he tolerated being bathed, he disliked having his 'trousers' brushed and combed. The coat around that area tended to knot easily, and being a male, he was naturally defensive around his back end. Grooming him on the floor was a challenge, as he would shift his position frequently, making the process tedious for both of us.
Once I started my grooming training, I invested in a portable grooming table, which transformed the grooming experience. Having my Collie at a comfortable height stopped the constant shuffling around the kitchen floor. It is important to have a dedicated grooming space that allows easy access to all parts of the dog. Establishing a routine made the process smoother—my Collie, Polo, understood what was expected, and grooming became much easier for us both.
Drying Polo’s heavy double coat presented a different challenge. The blaster, which would have efficiently removed dead undercoat, startled him. Border Collies are bred to react to movement, and Polo responded to the dryer hose with a quick nip. The breed is also highly sensitive to sound, which is consistent with their working origins.
I switched to using a stand dryer, which took longer but was less distressing for Polo. I had to line brush every section of his coat as I dried it, but it was worth it to avoid upsetting him with the noisy blaster.
Gradually, I began desensitising Polo to the blaster. By breaking the process into small steps and rewarding him with treats, he soon accepted it, making grooming more enjoyable for him.
Collies are eager to learn and love being involved. Harnessing this trait makes it easier to get their cooperation during grooming. Polo enjoyed jumping in the bath and onto the table and would enthusiastically lie flat on his side on cue.
Four Border Collies and a Terrier
Now, our four Collies have shorter coats, which require less brushing. Nevertheless, it remains essential to train them to accept bathing, as they are active dogs who get dirty frequently. Regular nail trimming and grinding are important, and every dog should be handled regularly for ear, eye, and dental checks, as well as feeling for any lumps or bumps.
Holly, my terrier, enjoys her bath and blow dry. She is comfortable with the blaster and loves being brushed. While she is not keen on nail clipping, she will jump on the table for it. We clip three or four nails at a time, rewarding her with treats after each nail. By the end, she has usually had enough, so her nails are clipped over several short sessions, which works very well.
Our routine
Running a grooming business means my own dogs are never far from the table — quite literally. One of the easiest ways I stay on top of their maintenance is by weaving little grooming moments into the natural rhythm of my day. Whenever I let them out during a break, or after my last client heads home, they’re always keen to follow me
into the grooming room while I tidy up. It’s become a lovely, low‑pressure routine for all of us.
Because they choose to be there, it’s the perfect opportunity for a quick once‑over. A brush through their coats, a health check, a look at nails, ears, and teeth — nothing dramatic, just small, consistent habits that keep everyone comfortable. These micro‑sessions mean nails stay short, ears stay clean, and I can catch any little issues before they become big ones. If anyone is shedding heavily, I simply check my diary to see where I can slot in a bath and blast.
Bathing schedules in our house are wonderfully individual. Holly is on a predictable 6–8 week cycle, purely because my stepdaughter’s dog is groomed on the same timetable. The two enjoy each other’s company, so it makes sense to pair them up.
Fleck, on the other hand, is a “roller” — and not in the glamorous sense. John will often come home announcing that Fleck has found something particularly fragrant to anoint himself with, predicting an impromptu bath for him and a late finish for me. The other collies tend to be bathed as needed: usually after wading through stagnant water, discovering a swampy corner of the world, or finding their own irresistible patch of Eau de Fox Poo.
This gentle, opportunistic approach works well for us. It keeps grooming positive, prevents any dog from becoming uncomfortable, and fits neatly around the demands of running a busy salon. Most importantly, it turns grooming from a big job into a series of small, easy moments — and in a multi‑dog household, that makes all the difference.
Managing Shedding in a Multi‑Dog Home
Shedding is one of those realities that becomes far more noticeable when you share your home with several dogs. Different breeds, different coat types, and different personalities all shed in their own way, and managing it is much easier when you build small habits into your daily routine rather than waiting for the house to disappear under a layer of fluff.
The first step is simply knowing what’s normal for each dog. Some will shed steadily all year, while others have clear seasonal peaks. A quick daily brush‑over during a health check is often enough to keep things under control. It lifts out loose coat before it ends up on your floors, and it gives you a chance to spot when someone is starting to blow their coat more heavily than usual.
When I notice one of mine shedding more than their baseline, I take it as a cue to plan ahead. A bath and blast can make a huge difference, especially for double‑coated breeds like collies. Rather than trying to squeeze it in reactively, I simply check my diary for a suitable gap and book them in like any other appointment. It keeps the process calm and prevents the coat from compacting or matting during a heavy shed.
Tools matter, too. A good slicker brush, a comb that reaches the undercoat, and a high‑velocity dryer are invaluable in a multi‑dog home. Used little and often, they prevent the kind of coat build‑up that can overwhelm both the dog and the owner. The key is consistency rather than intensity — five minutes a day is far more effective than an hour once a month.
It’s also worth remembering that shedding is influenced by more than just coat type. Age, health, stress, and even household routines can play a part. Regular hands‑on grooming means you’ll notice changes early, whether it’s a heavier shed, a dry patch of skin, or a coat that feels different to the touch.
Managing shedding isn’t about eliminating hair — that’s impossible in a home full of dogs. It’s about staying ahead of it in a way that feels sustainable. With a few minutes of daily maintenance, the occasional planned bath, and an understanding of each dog’s natural cycle, shedding becomes just another part of life rather than a constant battle.
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