Community Chat

[casuallady]

After having 3 Labs, I am having a culture shock taking my Labradoodle to the groomer.

I know someone will attack me for having a Labradoodle, however he is the perfect size for a 69 yr old to walk and care for. Also doesn't shed. I can no longer manage a 70+ Lab. My last lab died 2 yrs ago Labor day and we still miss his quiet disposition.

Back to grooming, Bailey is very curly and gets matted if we don't brush him daily and get him groomed every 6 wks. He doesn't like his legs shaved or clipped (must be sensitive). Hubby and I aren't very good at toe nails, under chin, ears. I am sure we could get better. The lady I got him from suggested getting a table. We already have scissors and brush.

We are retired, and I am spending more on getting Bailey groomed than for myself. I actually started coloring my own hair.

Ideas will be appreciated !!!

[jaxs mom]

It just takes practice, and you have to be persistent. You have to follow through, even if he doesn't like it. One of our dogs actually has to be wrapped in a towel with his head away from anyone to get his nails clipped. Years ago when I had a shih zhu I ended up grooming her myself because the groomers never did what I asked them to. Have you tried watching you tube videos on how to groom your breed? I do think a table would be helpful. Do you have clippers?

[chickenbutt]

Would if I could! My golden retriever got baths and brushing by me when he was little. Now he's over 90# and, due to my numerous physical limitations, I am just not able.

We have been lucky to find pretty inexpensive grooming for him. My husband just found a new place that he really likes that does it all for $45. That's even a little cheaper than PetSmart and they did a better job.

Smaller dogs, of course, would cost less.

If you can physically do it, more power to ya. Back in the day I had a show dog and I had all the equipment, from grooming table (that REALLY helps a lot!) on to all the tools.

[CamilleP]

Hi, Casuallady;

I got my first Scottie in 1985, and since I was planning to show her I had to learn to do my own grooming, and even though I don't show or breed any more, I still do my own grooming on my last three Scotties. Otherwise the cost would be prohibitive, besides worrying about leaving my furkids with a stranger. I agree with everyone else, a table is very, very helpful. You will also need a set of clippers, and grooming a 'Doodle, you will need to spring for a professional pair, not the cheap version sold as "men's grooming kits" in many big box stores. Clip on combs really don't work as well as real clipper blades. Since the cut you will probably be doing is an all-over puppy clip, then you can probably get by with just a couple of blades. Most clippers come with a #10, and you will probably want one a little longer, like a #7. One thing to remember is to always bathe and brush out thoroughly before clipping, and to clip with the lay of the hair as much as possible. Professional groomers clip against the natural hair growth pattern, which makes it shorter, but can also clipper burn or damage the skin. Going against the lay of the hair also makes the hair grow in standing up out of the follicles more, making the dog more fluffy. With terriers, we really want the coat to lay down flat, even if they are clippered pets and not stripped show dogs, so I learned that trick to clipping early on. Now when you are doing places like the throat, with all the cowlicks, you will wind up going against the growth pattern a few times, but as much as you can on the body, clip with it. Best Wishes!

[Dharma_Initiative]

I've been grooming my miniature schnauzer since we got her 10 years ago and now we adopted another senior schnauzer so I'm grooming two. I love doing my own grooming but it really helps that my dogs are angels on the table. The little fella we just adopted is not keen to have his nails clipped so I'm working on that, but if I had to struggle with them every time I groomed them I'm not sure I would do it myself. Even with them being so good, by the time I'm done my back aches (I'm 51 and in pretty good shape). You definitely need a table. It's a lot of work but worth it if you have the equipment and know what you're doing. I find it rewarding to see the end product and feel like it brings me closer to them. There's definitely a level of trust involved.

Try to find a YouTube video of grooming your breed to learn from. I did a lot of research before I started and there are a lot more resources online now than there were back then.

[mousiegirl]

I bathe both of mine once a month with brushings every day, but then they are small. I had large dogs before, but this time I wanted dogs that I could take care of since groomers are so expensive. I do take them for their nails, $15 each every month, because they go nuts if I try to do it.