With in-person dog-grooming appointments off the table for a while due to social distancing, pet parents who previously relied on professionals to keep their pups looking sharp are having to make other plans. Yes, at-home grooming is a hassle (at best), for even the most patient dog owner. But regular grooming is key if you want to avoid unpleasant smells or having someone mistake your beloved pet for a feral dog. Whether your Shih Tzu’s mane keeps getting tangled, your Rottweiler’s nails are overgrown, or your Chihuahua suffers from dry skin, we can help.

We asked groomers, pet experts, and veterinarians for advice and recommendations on the best products and grooming tools for dogs. “It’s important to keep any grooming sessions short,” says Erin Askeland, pet behaviorist and training manager at Camp Bow Wow. According to her, pet owners will have the most success if they can get their dog to associate grooming sessions with attention, treats, and praise rather than stress and being upset. Below, Askeland and six other experts on everything you need to bathe, brush, and trim your dog yourself in a way that’s safe and as easy on your pet (and you) as possible.