To Groom Or Not To Groom: Home Grooming Tips
May 14, 2020
So it’s been more than a month since lockdown orders and most of our poofy pooches are looking a bit scruffy. What to do?
Most professional groomers have closed up shop, but you could still give them a call and get some tips for home-grooming.
You don’t need expensive grooming equipment
While you might think that expensive equipment is necessary to do a proper job yourself, all you really need is a beard trimmer. If you have never cut your dog’s fur before, it’s best to stay right away from a pair of scissors. Vets report many visits from dogs with nicks and cuts from inexperienced but well-intentioned scissor-wielding pet owners. So no scissors, especially around the face and eyes.
With a man’s beard trimmer, you just need a quick buzz all around the dog and they’ll be good enough to go.
Tackle one section at a time
It sounds easy, but if you have a 70-pound AussieDoodle, you’re going to have to book the whole afternoon off to get the job done. A better plan would be to tackle a section a day, so you don’t stress yourself out and your dog too. For instance, begin at the hind quarter and gently buzz off the top curls without getting too close to the skin. If the fur is long enough, you can slip your fingers under the hair and trim against your hand. That way your dog doesn’t freak out when he feels the vibrations of the trimmer against his skin. That’s when cuts can occur from sudden shifts of the body.
It takes two people to groom your dog
Your dog is not going to patiently sit still while you nervously buzz off their hair. It’s a two-person job. You need one person to hold your dog and another to trim the beast! And chances are your dog will give you a real run-around the house before you can catch him. That’s an exercise that needs two people.
Make sure you dog is calm before you trim
When you do manage to round up your dog, make sure you take time to calm him or her down and get them comfortable. Try not to plunge right into it when tensions are high. Pet your dog, give them some treats and start by giving them a good brushing from top to bottom. This will help to relax your dog while preparing the fur for trimming. You might also want to try some doggie supplement for stress like CBD oil, lavender oil, or valerian.
Talking to your dog throughout the whole process will help soothe their nerves. You can praise them for being a good dog and give them a pet once in a while until you’re finished. Again, taking on one side or section at a time (depending on the size of your dog) will make the whole process easier to handle...for both of you.
Trimming dog’s nails
If you’re going to trim your dog’s nails, make sure you only take off the tips. If you take too much off at one time, you’ll likely cut through the quick, making it bleed and causing your dog great pain. If that happens, apply cornstarch to the cut and soothe and distract your dog until the bleeding stops. Make sure your clippers are sanitized and sharp before you begin. Remember: just trim the tips of the nails. Better to trim less and cut their nails more often than cause injury.
Bathing your dog
You can bathe your dog before or after grooming, depending on if it’s a happy experience for them. Nervous dogs who hate getting wet and freak out during a bath, better to tackle that another day. You don’t want to stress your dog out too much at once. They should be calm and relaxed. Using warm water (not hot), a mild shampoo (watch the eyes), and a soothing tone will help your dog to relax. Placing a towel on the bottom of the tub, or a slip-proof mat will also help your dog to feel more secure.
Won’t be long now until our groomers will be back in business. Until then, follow these home-grooming tips and keep your dog looking trim!