How Can You Keep On Top Of Dog Grooming In Wet Weather?

by Sarah

As any dog owner in the southern regions of the UK will tell you, so far 2026 has been a very wet year. And if you feel like you’re getting soaked every time you go out for a walk with your dog, you aren’t imagining it.

Figures from the Met Office reveal that the south-east of England and central south of the country experienced 188 per cent of its long-term average rainfall in January. 

Meanwhile, the south-west of England and south Wales didn’t fare much better, with 156 per cent of this region’s long-term average rainfall, while Cornwall experienced the wettest January on record. 

Of course, when you have a dog you’re out and about every day, regardless of the weather. That brings its own challenges for keeping your dog’s coat in good condition, particularly if you have a breed with thicker fur.

Why is it important to dry your dog after a wet walk?

At this time of year, it’s almost impossible for your dog to stay completely dry on a walk, because even if it’s not raining the ground will likely be dotted with puddles and muddy patches. 

Whether you’ve got soaked in the rain or just have a soggy pooch after walking over wet ground, it’s important to dry them thoroughly when you finish your walk. This serves multiple purposes.

First, it helps prevent that “wet dog” smell in your home. Second, it’s one of the simplest and easiest ways to prevent dirt and mud from being spread throughout your home. Third, it prevents your dog from developing skin conditions as a result of having fur that doesn’t fully dry.

In some breeds, like doodles, you’ll notice that their fur mats and tangles much more easily when it’s wet. So, making sure you dry your dog properly after a walk can help minimise the number of mats that develop. 

How is it best to dry my dog after a walk?

As a regular step, which you should carry out after every walk, make sure you towel dry your pup. This will help remove a fair amount of the moisture that’s accumulated in their fur, which helps them dry more quickly. 

Using a towel to dry your dog when you return from a wet and muddy walk will also remove the worst of the dirt. While you’ll still need to wash your dog regularly – or book them in for regular doodle grooming – getting into a good drying routine post-walk will mean they need washing less often.

This is important because over-washing your dog can remove the natural oils from their skin and lead to skin conditions. 

If your dog is really wet, and is a breed like a doodle or cockapoo with a thick coat, you may want to use your hairdryer to help them dry off more quickly. While a proper dog dryer is more efficient, not everyone will want to invest in one.

A hairdryer can work, but it’s important to choose the right setting – the highest airflow speed your hairdryer offers. Warm air is ideal, with occasional cold air to ensure your dog doesn’t overheat. 

However, you should only get your hairdryer out after you have given your dog a good dry with a towel to remove as much moisture as possible and make the drying process more efficient.