How to Groom a Dog's Rear End

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How to Groom a Dog's Rear End

Medium

15 - 30 Minutes

4 Week

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Introduction

Trimming your dog’s rear end may not be the most fun you will have with your dog, but it’s an important task of grooming your pup. If his fur is long and becomes matted, he could also be tracking feces in and out of your house in this nest of fur. If this sounds like your dog, you may be familiar with the smell that accompanies a dirty and matted rear end. If your pup comes with his own amazing fluffy tail, consider shaving the bottom part of this as well so he doesn't begin to track from his bottom to his tail.

Dog's Perspective

This part of your dog’s body is quite sensitive. He may be a bit worried if you are back there with the buzzing sound and vibration of clippers. Also, if you are behind your dog, he may be apprehensive at letting you touch him from behind. If he’s feeling nervous, a partner may be able to help you the first few times by petting your dog’s ears and face while giving him lots of loving praise.

The Clippers Method

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Clipper

Step

Position your dog

Place your dog on a table high enough for you to reach your dog’s bottom or sit on a stool so you are level with the area you need to trim and sturdy at the same time. You may need to do this for larger breed dogs who may be difficult to put on the top of a table. Either way, be sure to leash and tether your dog to keep him stable secure and in place.

Step

Scissors

With your scissors in one hand, use your other hand to lift your dog's tail into the air. This will keep your dog from trying to sit, as well as give you free reign to the area you need to groom.

Step

Tail

With your dog's tail in the air, you can begin to trim the fur on the bottom of his tail to keep the fur on his tail from becoming dirty. If you choose to trim the length of the fur on the bottom of your dog's tail it only needs to be an inch to three inches long and is not really noticeable while looking at your dog once grooming is complete.

Step

Clip

Trim your dog's rear end for from the center outward. Use your clippers with a steady hand to make sure your dog is comfortable with the tools you are using.

Step

Not too close

You can trim this area pretty close to bald if you wish to keep the area super clean. However, try not to touch the blade of the clippers or any scissors directly to your dog's skin or anus. Avoid nicks and cuts by taking it slow and cutting away from your center position.

Step

Potty cut

To continue down towards your dog's genitals, spread your dog's rear legs and be cautious with how close your tools are to your dog's genitals. You can very gently pull the fur forward and cut close to the skin without getting too close.

Step

Tighten skin

If you need to go further down your dog's legs or into his potty area for a potty cut, you can pull your dog’s back leg out to tighten the skin to avoid nicking any skin folds.

The Scissors Method

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Scissors

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Step

Partner

Have a partner hold your dog with their arms around your dog's back to keep him secure. If your dog fits in your partner's arms and is a small to medium breed, your partner can simply hold your dog, exposing his rear end for you to groom.

Step

Tail

Hold your dog's tail down and to the side you are not grooming. To trim around your dog's anus, you will need to have your partner lift your dog's tail up and out of the way.

Step

Brush

Brush your dog's fur around his rear end down toward his back feet. Be sure to get any tangles out before you begin to trim and groom his rear end. Large mats can be cut out first before you groom and shape his rear end.

Step

Scissors

Cut with long stroke with the scissors pointing downward towards your dog's feet away from your dog's skin and your partner who is holding your dog. Be sure not to point the scissors towards your dog to avoid any risk of accidentally poking or stabbing.

Step

Groom

Cut your dog's rear end fur in long lines from the top to the bottom. Keep the scissors flat but not directly against the skin to avoid any nicks and cuts.

Step

Shape

If your goal is to have your dog's bottom as clean as possible, you will want to cut fairly close. You can shape your dog's rear leg fur with scissors by turning the scissors and not keeping them flat against the skin. As you move away from your dog's bottom and down towards your dog's rear legs, you may want the fur to remain a little longer.

Caution & Considerations

Be careful of the sensitive skin around your dog’s anus.
Scissors and clipper methods can be mixed as you see fit to get the best results using both tools.
If your dog is afraid of the sound of clippers, let him sniff them while the are on and buzzing. To do this, hold the blade down away from his nose. You can also place the clippers against his skin so he can feel the vibration and hear the sound.
To keep the rear end clean, maintain this area with every grooming.
If your dog has knots and matting, you may need to comb the area first and cut out any mats before grooming.
Trimming with scissors or with clippers and working from the center of the area outward helps to protect your dog’s sensitive skin.
Be sure your dog stays still while grooming his rear end to keep his skin protected.

Conclusion

Don't get caught in arrears with this particular grooming task or your dog could have quite the mess. Keep up with rear end cleaning and avoid the ruff times ahead cleaning your dog's dirty hiney. If your dog gets into a mess or makes a mess before you have time to clean him and groom his read end, hold his tail up to keep him from sitting. Enjoy that trick next time your dog forgets to wipe.

Success Stories and Grooming Questions

Grooming Questions & Answers

Question

Ruby

Miniature Australian Shepherd

2 Years

1 found helpful

Question

1 found helpful

Ruby

Miniature Australian Shepherd

2 Years

My dog Ruby has a furry rear end that leads to debris and other unwanted accumulation materializing in this region. She regularly gets on the couch/bed and would like to allow her to continue this with a clear conscience. What is recommended from a grooming perspective and how frequently would you suggest the method to make sure that this is no longer an issue?

6 years, 5 months ago

Ruby's Owner

Paige Thompson

Dog Groomer

0 Dog owners recommended

Hi Tyler, It sounds like Ruby needs a sanitary trim, sometimes called a hygiene cut. Its a shave just under the tail and in between the legs, sometimes taken up to the rib cage on especially furry or messy dogs. Each dog is unique with regards to grooming frequency, but once a month is probably a good place to start. Good Luck! Paige

6 years, 5 months ago

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Question

Woody

Papillon

13 Years

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Question

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Woody

Papillon

13 Years

The groomer shaved backside genital area and the tummy is shaved exposing the skin

2 years, 10 months ago

Woody's Owner

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Question

Fendi

Border Collie

8 Months

0 found helpful

Question

0 found helpful

Fendi

Border Collie

8 Months

Her back legs have been trimmed really short and she has a show next week will off grown back

4 years, 4 months ago

Fendi's Owner

Darlene Stott

Dog Trainer and Groomer

0 Dog owners recommended

Hello and thank you for the question about Fendi. Short feathers will not grow very much in a week to my knowledge, although the look may soften a bit. I would find a groomer who specializes in grooming dogs for shows and work with them from now on. When you are at the show, ask other Border Collie owners who they use as a groomer. Good luck with Fendi!

4 years, 4 months ago

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Question

Nieva

Lhasa Apso

4 Weeks

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Question

0 found helpful

Nieva

Lhasa Apso

4 Weeks

Hi, I am hoping to try to show Nieva in time and intend to keep her in full coat. I have researched this extensively but cannot find an answer to my question. That is, my other Lhasa’s needed hygiene trims as puppies on their bottoms. Can show dogs have hygiene trims or is it best to manage the rear end until the coat has grown down and is more manageable? Many thanks in advance for this help!

4 years, 1 month ago

Nieva's Owner

Darlene Stott

Dog Trainer and Groomer

0 Dog owners recommended

Thank you for the question; I am not aware of the specific regulations for showing canines. I would suggest contacting the kennel club that you plan on showing with to speak with or be connected to someone who typically judges in your area. They may be most aware of the regulations. Alternatively, maybe contact the American Kennel Club. https://www.apps.akc.org/apps/contact/index.cfm. Check the link and look under "Sports & Events" or "Clubs & Delegates". Good luck and have fun!

4 years, 1 month ago

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Question

izzy

Havanese

11 Months

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Question

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izzy

Havanese

11 Months

my dog was groomed on Monday, Monday she was fine then yesterday she started licking her bottom and scooting on floor. I liked at her anus and it is a little red, can't tell if it is from licking or groomer clicked her too close. he said to put Neosporin on it. is that okay? how long will this issue last. thank you

3 years, 11 months ago

Izzy's Owner

Darlene Stott

Dog Trainer and Groomer

0 Dog owners recommended

Hello and thank you for the question as well as the cute picture of Izzy. I am not a vet, so cannot say if Neosporin is okay to use, but from what I have read on sites that are verified by a vet it should be okay (if you use a small amount and make sure Izzy does not lick it). Why don't you give your vet a quick call and ask? If the problem is from a nick, I would expect it to be sore for a couple of days. All the best to you and Izzy!

3 years, 11 months ago

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Question

Daisy

Great Pyrenees

1 Year

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Question

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Daisy

Great Pyrenees

1 Year

My dogs butt is matted to her skin. I've removed Matt's from behind her ears but not from her rear. We also don't have clippers and can't take her to the groomers because of her size. Is there a way to remove this large Matt with only scissors?

3 years, 3 months ago

Daisy's Owner

Darlene Stott

Dog Trainer and Groomer

0 Dog owners recommended

Hello, I think if Daisy will sit still you should be able to use scissors. Try buying a detangling spray at the pet supply store and see if you can work at the mats a bit. Of course, if the skin is tender, you may not be able to detangle to a great extent. But be extra careful to not nick the skin. Keep the scissors parallel to the skin and not pointed at the skin. As for not taking her to the groomers due to her size, I think a groomer would be willing to help you out if you call and discuss the issue with them. They are there to help and to make Daisy as comfortable as possible. You can also consult the vet to see if they can give you a hand. Once the mats are taken care of, try and brush her regularly, using the detangler to keep mats at bay. These guides may give you a few tips: https://wagwalking.com/grooming/groom-a-dog-with-matted-hair and https://wagwalking.com/grooming/groom-a-dog-with-knots. All the best to Daisy!

3 years, 3 months ago