How Grooming My Anxious Dog at Home Saved Me Money (and Reduced Stress!)

If your pet has anxiety about the groomer, you know the stress it brings. My dog, Buddy, would always panic the second rolled into the parking lot. Even paying for express grooming didn’t help—he was still so nervous. He's a rescue dog so we are not sure exactly where his trauma comes from but it causes him a lot of anxiety. When I unexpectedly got laid off from my job, $90 grooming sessions weren’t in the budget. So I figured: Why not try to groom him myself?

I found some quiet, cordless clippers from amazon for about $30 and figured I’d give it a try, even if I groomed him once it would pay for itself. The Oneisall brand I like offers a one-speed and a two-speed version. I opted for the two-speed because Buddy's hair is pretty thick. I set up a little grooming station with his bed on the table and a haircutter’s cape on top of his bed, and he just sat there. No stress. No panic. I couldn’t believe it. Buddy was calm.

Looking back, I wish I’d done this sooner. Not only did I save money, but I also saved Buddy from all the anxiety. If you’re thinking about grooming your pet at home, it’s easier than you might think—especially with the right tools. Here are some of the best ones I’ve used that made all the difference.

1. Oneisall Cordless Clippers - A Game Changer

I have to start with the oneisall cordless clippers because they are hands-down the best thing I bought for Buddy’s grooming. The biggest issue with most clippers is the noise, which can send anxious dogs into a full-blown panic. But these are incredibly quiet, and since they’re cordless, I don’t have to wrestle with a cord while trying to trim him.

What I love about them:

• Super quiet — Buddy doesn’t even flinch when I turn them on.

• Cordless and rechargeable, making it easy to maneuver, I hate anything with a cord.

• Comes with multiple different guard lengths, so I can adjust for different areas of his coat.

• The blades are sharp but safe, and they don’t get hot like some clippers do.

• Comes with a pair of sharp scissors and a comb.

If you have a nervous dog (or just want a solid pair of clippers), these clippers are a must-have.

2. A Good Pair of Scissors for Detailing

While clippers do most of the work, a sharp, high-quality pair of scissors is crucial for detailing. The scissors I use come with the clippers in the kit I got from oneisall on amazon. I use them around Buddy’s face, paws, and any sensitive areas where clippers might be too much.

3. Grooming Table (Or a DIY Setup Like Mine)

If you’re going to groom your dog at home regularly, having a stable surface makes a world of difference. Professional groomers use height-adjustable grooming tables, but if you don’t want to invest in one, you can do what I did—use a sturdy table like a kitchen table.

I just put Buddy’s bed on the table and covered it with a barber’s apron for grip. It keeps him comfortable and still while I work.

If your dog tends to wiggle, you can also get a grooming arm with a leash attachment to keep them steady. Ot try using a grooming hammock.

4. Amazon Flea and Tick Treatments – Keep Your Dog Safe

Another grooming must-have is flea and tick prevention. Trust me, if you’re like me and prefer not to deal with the hassle and cost of vet visits for routine flea and tick treatments, Amazon has several great options that make it easy and affordable. It's easy to apply, doesn’t require a prescription, and helps prevent both fleas and ticks. We switch to using the Flea, Tick, & Mosquito version in the summer months to prevent mosquito bites.

We use Amazon Basics brand (previously solimo), which has the same active ingredients as Frontline Plus, but it's way cheaper. It even smells the same. 6 treatments of Frontline Plus for small dog's runs about $69, where as Amazon Basics is about $26, and sometimes they offer a discount if you subscribe and save. Even without the discount that is a savings of 38%! This is a product that you know you can use for subscribe and save because it should be used consistently each month.

Amazon Basics for Dogs: (available in 3 or 4 or 6 count, click links below for current pricing)
Repels & Kills Fleas, Ticks, & Mosquitos. Kills Flea Eggs, and Flea Larvae, waterproof.
Flea, Tick, & Mosquito - Dog 4-10 Pounds
Flea, Tick, & Mosquito - Dog 11-20 Pounds
Flea, Tick & Mosquito - Dog 21-55 Pounds
Flea, Tick & Mosquito - Dog over 55 Pounds

Kills Flea, Flea Eggs, and Flea Larvae, Ticks and Chewing Lice, Long-lasting, waterproof.
Flea & Tick - Dog 5-22 Pounds
Flea & Tick - Dog 23-44 Pounds
Flea & Tick - Dog 45-88 Pounds
Flea & Tick - Dog 89-132 Pounds

This same medicine is also offered for Cats: (available in 3 or 4 or 6 count, click links below for current pricing)
Kills Flea, Flea Eggs, and Flea Larvae, Ticks and Chewing Lice, Long-lasting, waterproof.
Flea & Tick - Cat over 1.5 Pounds

Kills Flea, Flea Eggs, and Flea Larvae.
Flea Only - Cat 5-9 Pounds
Flea Only - Cat over 9 Pounds

Flea and tick prevention is key, especially if you live in an area where those pests are common. It keeps Buddy comfortable and itch-free, and I can rest easy knowing I’m helping protect him from potential diseases.

5. Docrok Grooming Brush – The Magic of Regular Brushing

A grooming brush may seem simple, but trust me—this one is the best. It works for both Buddy and Kitty. It's an absolute GAME-CHANGER for cat hair. I’ve found that using a Docrok grooming brush has made a huge difference in keeping both Buddy’ and Kitty's coat healthy. It gently removes loose fur, prevents tangles, and stimulates his skin, helping distribute natural oils that keep their fur shiny and smooth. Brushing your dog or cat regularly definitely helps the house to have less hair on the floor.

With this brush it's best to brush in every direction (especially for cats). I'm telling you, you are going to be amazed the amount of hair this brush pulls off! It has two sides too! Start with the side with bristles further apart to help work through the hair, then switch to the side with the tighter together bristles to remove even more hair. You need to have a trash bag handy to collect the hair because so much comes off with each swipe of the brush!

My cat absolutely loves this brush!

Why I recommend it:

• it's fast and air comes off in clumps

• Great for detangling and removing shedding fur

• Can be used on all coat types for dogs and cats, from short-haired to long-haired breeds

6. Pet-Friendly Shampoo – The Right Formula Matters

Not all pet shampoos are created equal. I used to think any dog shampoo would do, but after some trial and error, I realized how important it is to find a formula that suits your pet’s specific needs. We have two favorites: Adams Flea and Tick shampoo and Virbac Epi-Soothe shampoo. We typically use the flea and tick kind more in the summer because the bugs are more frequent.

Some dogs have sensitive skin, and using a harsh shampoo can cause even more itching and irritation. I switched to Virbac Epi-Soothe shampoo and it seriously helped Buddy's itchy skin, it is gentle, moisturizing, and smells amazing! It can be used on both dogs, cats, and even horses!

For the summer months, when bugs are common we use Adams Flea and Tick shampoo in addition to his monthly Flea, Tick, & Mosquito Topical.

Things to look for in a good pet shampoo:

• Soap-free and pH-balanced for pets

• Free of artificial fragrances and dyes

• Contains soothing ingredients like oatmeal, aloe, or coconut oil

A great ear cleanser for dogs and cats is by the same brand of shampoo we like: Virbac Epi-otic Ear Cleanser for dogs and cats. If your dog has floppy ears like Buddy, it helps to have an ear cleanser to make sure they are properly cleaned when bathing.

Save & Share this advice with anyone who has a nervous pet!

Not only has at-home grooming saved me hundreds of dollars, but it’s also saved both him and my sanity. He would get so stressed out, it would stress me out for the rest of the day. Buddy being calm and stress-free while being groomed is honestly worth way more than any money I could have saved from bringing him to the groomer.

If your pet struggles with grooming anxiety, I highly recommend giving home grooming a try. Start slow, use quiet tools like the oneisall cordless clippers, and create a setup that makes them comfortable. It might take a session or two for them to get used to it, but once they realize they’re safe, it’s a game-changer.

Plus, there’s something satisfying about looking at your freshly groomed pet and knowing you did that. You saved them from stress. You made their life easier. And in the end, that’s what being a pet parent is all about.

So, if you’re on the fence—trust me. Just go for it. You (and your pet) won’t regret it.

It's important to note that since your dog usually gets a nail trim and anal gland cleaning while at the groomer, so you should still get this done by your vet if you decide to not go to a groomer.