[River Rat]

Grooming - what should I buy if I want to try to do it myself? Chouette has very silky puppy hair now, with a soft curl. Don't know what it will be like when she gets her big girl coat. I saw the Les Pooches brushes discussed here but am not sure whether they're appropriate for her coat. And what about clippers? I used to cut the family's hair, and help shear the sheep, but can I tackle a wiggly puppy? And still have her looking like something I'd like to admit to owning when I'm out with her?

Leslie (and Chouette/formerly Truffle)

 

[Maureen]

FAQ is a GREAT IDEA!

hmm........ I think nail clippers, and blunt-tipped scissors that are kept sharp are a good plan. Hemostats or fine, clean tweezers or pliers for pulling the hair out of ears, when necessary....

I LOVE this new rake I found! It's $5 at kv vet.com and I'm about to give it the acid test today, on a shaggy poodle here who desparately needs grooming!

Then......the machines: We like WAHL clippers....I guess Oster are fancier, and certainly more expensive but WAHL sets are readily available at Walmart or even Big Lots sometimes! My DH and I laughed when we realized we could THROW AWAY the clippers after every use and still save half off of a professional grooming!

That's all I can think of til I finish my coffee....but this is a GREAT THREAD to collect tools and tips!!

 

[Jac]

Honestly? If I only had one dog, I'd use a groomer! I have bought so many different products to groom...still trying to find the right one...and I have to admit to nipping skin on occassion! (And I went to beauty school!)
And, I'll never be good enough to show them off! LOL
But, if you insist, www.idog.biz has a download button with grooming instructions which might help.
I just put together a fancy grooming table...complete with a loop to hold them up. That's my toughest challenge, getting them to stand up!
Also...when clipping near their mouth...be soooo careful...they lick and you could snip right then...oooooh, it can be tricky!
Tools I find invaluable though:
Good sissors (from a beauty supply...expensive ones)
grooming brush, I do use Les Pooches, but it costs a lot and unless you have a lot of matting or a Poodly coat, it isn't necessary. I actually like the rakes.
I most always clip with sissors, even though I have clippers. Our dogs have thick, Poodly coats and most dog grooming tools won't make it through one dog!
If you use clippers (electric) get the cooling spray or dip because the clippers get hot. Also, use the kind with clip on combs to keep from getting the cut too short.
Watch out using just the main clippers...I knew someone who cut off a nipple! Really...UGH!

 

[kari]

I just bought a great pair of Oster sheers for Pepper! I go the the skin on her face. Just pull back the cheek towards the ear to get a tight skin surface. This helps to eliminate cutting a kissable puppy lip!! I do use a mat cutter for the occaisional mat around the back of her head/ear area and just a regular old brush that looks like a carding brush for her body. Granted, I do keep her body at 3/4 ", tail long (except that I had to use the matting comb recently when she got into some fiberglass resin). Was doing her feet to skin like a poodle until recently. But she is a beauty!!!

I say, try doing it yourself. It saves money and builds a loving trust with your puppy. And if they get a bad hair cut one day, it'll always grow back!! Pepper looked really bad one day (ok, for about 3 weeks) when I took her down to 1/2 inch. If she were curlier, it would have looked better!!. Also, I save the clippings and put them in an mesh bag (like some produce comes in) and hang it from the tree for the birds to use a nesting material. [/img]

 

[Jac]

Hey, that is a good idea to keep her coat for the birds to use! I knew that they used other things, but had not thought of the hair...that might help them to ward off predators too, huh?
Pretty picture of our Pepper!

 

[Maureen]

Nice of you to help the birds!!

That fur will also discourage rabbits, by the way. :wink:

 

[Jac]

Really? Wow...I never would have thought of that!