Before your first session, make sure you have all your grooming equipment in one place. If you have to leave your client halfway through her trim to go retrieve a brush from another room, she might become restless. Larissa Wohl, host of Hallmark Channel’s Adoption Ever After, has another helpful tip for at-home pet polishers.

“Exercise, exercise, exercise! Getting your dog tired before bath time is essential. Take them for a good walk or run, because you know what they say … a tired dog is a happy dog, or at least less likely to try and climb out of the bath!”

And don’t forget treats to reward her for being the best─and only─customer you’ve had all day!

One way to make grooming easier is by introducing regular brushing every other day, which prevents matted hair, distributes natural oils across your pooch’s coat, and cuts down on shedding. FURminator is one of the most recognizable doggy devices on the market. The innovative design safely removes loose hair from the topcoat all the way to the undercoat and ejects it neatly with the use of the FURejector button. If you decide to use a different product, remember that bristle brushes work best for short-haired breeds, while hairy hounds are better suited to a sleek brush.

It’s important to take good care of your dog’s nails. If they are left too long, nails can curl over and put pressure on your pup’s pads, cause issues with walking and even lead to arthritis. Walking on paved surfaces can help file them down, but most dogs will also require a regular trim. When cutting Fido’s nails, be careful not to go too short. The vein in his nail is called a quick and can cause pain and bleeding if clipped. Only trim a little at a time with a classic nail trimmer, or go for something more hi-tech. This nail grinder will gently and slowly remove your pup’s excess nail.

Fido’s groomer knows the best tools to use for his fur type, how to keep him sitting pretty during a haircut, and how to style his hair to “paw-fection.” But when you’re his stylist, steer clear of scissors and go for clippers instead. The last thing you want is a trip to the vet because of a wriggly pup. This set of clippers comes with six different lengths, great for everything from an afro to a buzz cut. Keep clipper blades flat against the skin, go slowly and only clip in the direction of his hair growth.

Pups who don’t suffer from allergies should only be bathed once or twice a month to avoid drying out the skin. Groomers recommend soothing shampoos with ingredients like chamomile and oatmeal if your dog’s a regular bather. Lively Pets Derma-Soothe is designed to moisturize the skin and can even be used on Fluffy, too.

“Only use lukewarm water during bath time and always be cautious around your dog’s ears,” says Wohl. “Trapped water can lead to ear infections and pain, so be very careful when cleaning the face and head. You can use products that help distract your dog in the bath, too. My favorite is a 'lick mat' that suctions to the tub.”

Dental care is another valuable service offered by groomers. We’ve all been on the wrong end of Fido’s morning breath at some point, and it’s great that they can help keep his fangs minty fresh. Although most bad breath is caused by poor canine dental hygiene, it can be a sign that your pooch has an underlying health issue like diabetes, kidney disease or liver problems. Persistent and pungent issues should be checked by a vet. Dog owners should aim to clean their canine’s canines every single day. Start with a finger toothbrush before working your way up to a toothbrush for dogs. We wouldn’t want to use Fido’s poultry-flavored toothpaste, and he shouldn’t use ours, either.

Grooming provides the ideal opportunity to give your pup a checkup. Check for fleas and ticks that might have nestled in hard-to-see parts of her body.

“Check for lumps and bumps! Bathing your dog isn't only about getting them clean. It's also a great time to check for any abnormalities that need to be seen by a professional. Lumps, bumps, bugs, sore spots and overgrown nails are just some of the areas to inspect,” says Wohl.

It’s also a fine time to inspect her pads to make sure they aren’t dry or cracked; be sure to apply some balm if they are. Don’t forget to take a look inside your dog’s ears, too. The floppier the ears, the more likely they are to get infected. Clean ears are pink and odor free, whereas stinky ears could mean infection or that they need cleaning. Always follow directions when using a vet-approved cleaner, and be super careful during application.