Ultimate Australian Shepherd Grooming Guide- Tips, Tricks, and Sanity-Saving Hacks
- Jill
- May 5
- 6 min read
If you take away one thing, let it be this:
SSH's PRO TIP: Make grooming a POSITIVE experience with lots of high-value treats and frequent experiences. With time, your Aussie will consider this a luxury spa day!
So many dogs hate being groomed - making owners hate it too.
But it doesn't have to be that way. Your Australian Shepherd can learn to LOVE being groomed and even their nails being trimmed - and we have the proof here at Sunset Hill!
Australian Shepherds are known for their intelligence, energy, and beautiful coats. So, let’s use these traits and their willingness to learn to our advantage!
Keeping Aussies looking great and healthy requires regular grooming you can do at home. If you want your Aussie to shine and stay comfortable, then think about it like training any other trick or skill - something to learn and be rewarded for.
Understanding Your Australian Shepherd’s Coat
Australian Shepherds have a double coat made up of a dense undercoat and a longer, weather-resistant topcoat. This combination protects them from harsh weather, but also means their grooming needs are unique.
The undercoat is soft and thick, providing insulation.
The topcoat is straight or slightly wavy and repels dirt and water.
Because of this double coat, Aussies shed seasonally, especially in spring and fall. During these times, grooming becomes even more essential to remove loose hair and prevent matting behind the ears.
SSH's PRO TIP: Hire a groomer to do an "undercoat blow out" every August/September to cut back on shedding and brushing when the humidity soars high.
Essential Grooming Tools for Your Aussie
Having the right tools makes grooming easier and more effective. Here are the essentials you should have:
Treats: seriously, the #1 thing to have so your dog loves grooming.
Slicker Brush: Removes loose fur and prevents tangles.
Undercoat Rake: Helps get rid of dead undercoat hair during shedding seasons.
Nail Clippers or Grinder: Here at SSH, we use a super quiet nail grinder even on little puppies; it's the best!
Dog shampoo and conditioner: Our favorite is Plum Silky and The Stuff which is silky smooth!
Towels and Blow Dryer: At Sunset Hill Aussies, we gently towel dry and then let them run around outside until they are dry. We only use dryers if we are getting ready for a show. We recommend the Flying Pig dryer.
Investing in quality tools will save time and keep your Aussie comfortable during grooming sessions. Don't forget lots of yummy treats!
How to Brush Your Australian Shepherd
Brushing is the foundation of grooming for Aussies. It removes dirt, spreads natural oils, and prevents mats.
SSH's PRO TIP: If your dog starts running at the sight of a brush, start pairing the brush with their favorite treat. Grab the treat bag first, then the brush. Don't worry about actually brushing yet - just help your dog associate the brush and treats go together.
Brush your Aussie at least once a week- if you're going to skip it, at least brush behind the ears.
Use a slicker brush for the topcoat and an undercoat rake during shedding seasons.
Start brushing from the neck down to the tail, following the direction of hair growth.
Pay special attention to behind the ears, under the legs, and around the collar area where mats often form.
If you find mats, gently work them out with your fingers or a comb and spray THE STUFF on them. Avoid cutting mats unless absolutely necessary.
Regular brushing reduces shedding inside your home and keeps your dog’s coat healthy.
Bathing Your Australian Shepherd
Bathing your Aussie too often can strip natural oils from their coat, leading to dry skin. Aim to wash your dog every 6 to 8 weeks or when they get particularly dirty.
Use lukewarm water and a shampoo-conditioner combo.
After rinsing, towel dry, and then apply THE STUFF as a leave-in conditioner, brush through fur. Makes them super soft and shiny!
Air dry or use a dog-specific dryer - we love the Flying Pig, the knock-off brands are too loud for a dog’s sensitive ears. Trust me, I already bought them and wasted my money. HAHA
This counts as a bath, right mom? ~ Quin (Cassie x Reece) Adopted from SSH Mini Aussies
Nail Care for Comfort and Health
Long nails can cause discomfort and affect your dog’s gait. Check your Aussie’s nails every two weeks and trim as needed.
Use sharp nail clippers or a quiet grinder. This is our Favorite Nail trimmer
Use lots of treats to create a high-value experience while nail trimming
We typically trim the fur on the bottom of the paws as well to prevent slipping on floor or snow matting on it.
SSH's PRO NAIL TIP: At first, if your dog dislikes nail trimming, start by giving them a treat for EACH NAIL, one nail at a time. Eventually, increase to trimming 2 or 3 nails before rewarding. I know it will seem slow, but slow and positive is better than fast and awful.
SSH's PRO NAIL TIP 2: Consider a change of scenery. It is a shocking game changer! When we were teaching our dogs to love nail trimming, many had past experience of running the opposite direction because they hated it. Instead of a game of chase to get compliance, I just took them outside on a leash, sat under a tree, and trimmed their nails while rewarding with their favorite stinky fish treats. GAME CHANGER!!
Tips for Grooming Puppies and Sensitive Aussies
Starting grooming early helps puppies get used to the process. For sensitive or anxious dogs:
Keep grooming sessions short and positive.
Use treats and praise to reward calm behavior.
Introduce tools gradually, letting your dog sniff and explore them.
Choose a quiet, comfortable space for grooming.
If your dog resists, try breaking grooming into multiple short sessions.
Patience and consistency build trust and make grooming easier over time.
Aussie Teeth Cleaning
Top 3 “best” dog teeth-cleaning products -based on Sunset Hill use and dogs actually liking them + VOHC-backed options. VOHC = Veterinary Oral Health Council.
GREENIES Original Dental Treats OR OraVet Dental Hygiene Chews (VOHC accepted) found HERE
Why it’s a favorite: super popular daily chew with VOHC plaque + tartar removal.
TropiClean Fresh Breath Dental Water Additive (VOHC accepted)
Why it’s great: easiest “no-brush” helper to reduce plaque (especially for dogs that hate brushing). VOHC approved. Seriously, just get the big bottle and do it-- such a great easy button. found HERE
Petsmile Professional Pet Toothpaste (VOHC accepted)
A great option if you are going to actually brush- just being honest- it is what we are all suppose to do, but let's be real -hahaha -Brushing is the most effective at-home method according to the VOHC. found HERE
BONUS : Any Truly Edible/Natural Bones- Yak Cheese, Bully Sticks, Pigs Ears, and Deer Antlers are all Excellent for overall dental health. While they are not "tested" by VOHC for dental health because they are sold as a "bone" and not "dental care", they are still fantastic and have worked for dogs for decades.
When to Seek Professional Help
Personally, at Sunset Hill, we schedule our adult dogs to get their teeth professionally cleaned by the vet between ages 3-4. Then once every 3-4 years from there. It's really the best. But it can be pricy. At the time of publishing this post, most vets in our area charge a couple hundred for the procedure because they sedate the dog.
Some grooming tasks, like sanitary trims, trimming around the paws or dealing with severe mats, may require professional help. Be sure to check reviews on local groomers to find out who is the best of the best in your area.
Many SSH families use a groomer once a year during high shed seasons (end of summer) for a coat blow out.
Choose groomers experienced with Australian Shepherds.
A groomer should never trim their whole coat! A tidy up of ears, feet and bum are sufficient for a grooming session.
This article contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you purchase through them. There is NO extra cost to you. This helps cover the cost of maintaining this blog and providing free resources. I only recommend products I personally use and trust here at Sunset Hill. Thank you for being part of our community! 🐾💛
.
.