How to shave your dog’s bum
If your dog has a fluffy coat, regularly trimming the fur around their bum and anal area is important for hygiene and helps prevent painful matting. As a dog groomer, I'd estimate that around 98% of the dogs I groom have had some form of dried poo stuck in the fur around their backside.
It might not sound like a big deal, but every time your dog sits down, those little bits of poo can transfer onto your floors, furniture and bedding. And if your dog has an upset tummy, it can become an even bigger (and messier) problem!
Matting around this area can also cause serious issues. I once groomed a dog with severe matting around their anus, and the tangled fur was actually preventing them from passing poo properly. The poo had become trapped halfway out, which was extremely uncomfortable and potentially dangerous for the dog.
The good news is that keeping this area trimmed is quick and easy. Follow my DIY tutorial below and you’ll be an expert in no time.
What you’ll need:
A pair of clipper - I use Heiniger cordless clippers or,
A pair of mini trimmers - I use Shear Magic mini trimmers
Grooming belly sling - to prevent your dog from sitting
Let’s get started - either follow my step-by-step instructions or watch my video tutorial below.
How to shave the fur around your dog’s bum
The first step is to prevent your dog from sitting down while you trim their bum.
[1] One way to do this is to place your arm underneath their belly while gently holding their tail up with your other hand. If your dog reacts to the clippers and tries to sit, your arm will provide support and help keep them safely standing while you finish the trim.
[2] Alternatively, you can use a grooming belly sling. If you're using a grooming table like I am, simply attach the sling to the top grooming arm, place the strap comfortably underneath your dog's belly, clip it together and adjust the straps until it provides support. Make sure your dog's paws are still firmly resting on the table and that they aren't left dangling in the air.
[3] If your dog has a long tail, it's easy to accidentally trim it when you shave their bum. To keep their tail out of the way, I like to use a plastic food storage clip. I simply clip the excess fur at the end of the tailbone and attach it to one of the straps on the belly sling.
To shave your dog’s bum, you can use either a pair of mini trimmers or clippers. I absolutely love my Shear Magic mini trimmers, they’re small, compact, and much quieter than larger clippers. Alternatively, you can use a pair of clippers, like my Heiniger Cordless Clippers fitted with a #10 blade.
I’ll demonstrate using my cordless clippers, but the technique is exactly the same if you're using mini trimmers.
[4] Gently hold your dog's tail up, turn on your clippers and carefully skim the fur around the anus in a downward direction. Some groomers prefer to shave upwards, but I personally avoid this technique. If your dog suddenly sits down when they feel the clippers, it's much easier to accidentally catch the underside of their tail when shaving upwards.
[5] You can see I've removed most of the fur around the area. If you'd like it a little shorter, or there's still some dried poo caught in the fur, simply go over it again with the clippers.
[6] And that's it! I'm happy with that result. If your dog regularly has soft or sloppy poos, you may want to trim a little further down their backside so their poo can slide to the ground without getting caught in their fur. Keeping this area short helps prevent poo from sticking to the fur, making clean-up much easier and keeping your dog more comfortable.
Well done! Once you’ve finished, reward your dog with treats and praise for their good behaviour. This positive reinforcement will help create a more positive association with future grooming sessions.
Watch the step-by-step video tutorial
Want to see the technique in action? Watch my step-by-step video where I show you how to safely and hygienically shave the fur around your dog's bottom. You'll learn the tools I use, the safest clipping techniques, and helpful tips to keep your dog comfortable throughout the process while achieving a clean and tidy sanitary trim.
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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