Shaving your dog's armpits is an important part of dog grooming at home, especially if your dog has a long or curly coat, such as a Cavoodle, Groodle, Spoodle or Labradoodle. The fur under your dog's front legs is one of the first places mats develop because of the constant friction created as they walk, run and play.

If your dog wears a harness on walks or a jacket during winter, the extra rubbing can cause the fur to mat even faster. Brushing your dog after walks can help prevent knots, but once mats have formed, shaving the armpits is often the safest and most comfortable option. Left untreated, mats can tighten against the skin, causing discomfort every time your dog moves.

Regularly shaving your dog's armpits helps prevent matting, improves airflow to the skin, reduces the risk of skin irritation and keeps your dog cleaner and more comfortable between full grooms.

What you'll need:

To shave your dog's armpits at home, you'll need:

Dog clippers with a #10 blade - my go-to pair is my Heinigar cordless clippers, or,
Mini trimmers - I love my Sheer Magic mini trimmers expecially for smaller dogs

How to shave your dog's armpits

1. Choose the right tool

Whether you use clippers or mini trimmers depends on the size of your dog.

For larger breeds, such as Groodles and Labradoodles, I recommend using full-sized dog clippers. They make it easier to groom larger areas quickly and evenly.

For smaller breeds like Cavoodles, Moodle and Maltese, I prefer mini trimmers. Their compact size makes it much easier to reach into the small, curved armpit area where larger clippers can feel bulky and awkward.

2. Position your dog

Stand beside your dog and encourage them to stand or sit.

If your dog is wiggly, ask someone to hold them for you. Alternatively, if you're using a grooming table, a belly sling can be attached to the grooming arm to support your dog's weight and keep them still.

3. Stretch the skin

The skin inside your dog's armpit is very thin and delicate, so it's important to make it taut before clipping.

Gently lift your dog's front leg just enough to expose the armpit without overextending the shoulder. This will help minimise the risk of accidentally catching the skin with the blade.

4. Shave the armpit

Before you begin, always check that your clipper blade isn't hot by placing it against the inside of your wrist. A hot blade can cause clipper rash—a red, itchy skin irritation that can be very uncomfortable for your dog.

Using light pressure, gently scoop the blade from the back of the armpit to the front of the armpit. Avoid pressing the blade into the skin. Instead, use a soft scooping motion to remove the hair a little at a time. Usually, just a couple of gentle passes are all that's needed.

5. Check your work

Once you've finished, run your fingers through the armpit to check for any remaining mats that may have been missed.

If your dog is new to grooming, keep the session short, reward them with plenty of treats and finish on a positive note. Building positive experiences will make future grooming sessions much easier for both of you.

Watch my step-by-step video

The armpit is a tricky area to groom, so it's much easier to learn by watching than by reading. In my video below, I'll show you exactly how I hold the leg and the safest way to shave your dog's armpits at home without causing discomfort.

I’m a qualified dog groomer and fur-mum to two cavoodles; Soda and Poppy. I’m passionate about the health and wellbeing of dogs, as well as helping dog parents groom their dogs at home. I’ll teach you the basics, however if you don’t feel comfortable or confident at any time that’s completely fine, book your dog in for a regular groom and pamper session at the salon. Please never leave your dog unattended on a grooming table.

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How to shave your dog’s armpits at home