To those that groom their own dogs...

[Zahboo]

I know some people prefer taking them to groomers, but I like to groom myself. I don't do anything fancy, but I know how to shave the face well, and on my pomeranian how to get her one length on her body. My problem is FEET. My new pup has been groomed today. He is a yorkie schnauzer mix. I have him groomed like a poodle though.

Not purposefully, just it works. He is eating soft food and face dives into it, so I shaved off his mustashe and then just decided to do the poodle face, go from the eye's corner to the ear and then down in a v. It looks good on him. Plus, it grows back. He looks really muttish before and his hair kept matting after each meal (and he is on 5 small meals a day!). I shaved his feet and he hated it. He didn't mind the ankle being done (I do from the ankle joint down) but when you get to his toes and the bottom of his foot he FREAKS. It took an hour to do his feet. My clippers are quiet and not pulling his hair. He just didn't like it at all. We took breaks and all that. He has done good with his face, even by his eyes and then the toes set him off.

How do you groom the toes? I didnt want to upset him, but finished it off after a break so he calmed down and to keep from getting scared. He doesn't mind his nails being trimmed and I can handle his feet, spread his toes, mess with his nails and all that but not shave his feet? Anyone ever had this?


And IDK if you guys know but how old does a dog have to be for capstar?

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
We have a Lhasa Apso that I would dearly love to groom. But she hates the clippers and gets real 'snarly' when they come out!

 

[EweSheep]

I used to work for the groomer one time and she muzzled those tempermental ones. They would complain alot about having their feet trimmed.

I worked with collies accepting to have their feet trimmed and you always have treat on hand. No licking, biting, or any vocal complaints allowed!

Takes two people to work with it a few times. One will give treats while the other one would clip. Take one toe at a time, talking while the other person would let the dog try to get the treat from fingers, once the job is done, then the treat is given. Hot dog treats are the best!

 

[Zahboo]

Quote:
Interesting. I just don't trust groomers here. A popular grooming place is being sued because they left a dog on the table and the dog jumped and strained his neck. Thank god he was able to get back up or he'd be hung by the neck collar! The groomer was fired, but it just reminds you that everyone makes mistakes, some could be lethal

 

[Stumpy]

Groomers can vary so much -- I used to have a Cairn terrier who would go ballistic when I turned the clippers on. He literally would not allow me to clip him. The first groomer I took him to called me and said he wouldn't let her get him out of the cage. Thinking back on it, the place had a real unprofessional look about it. The next groomer I tried had a clean, peaceful place in the country and had groomed and trained dogs for many years. After one day with her, gradually getting used to the clippers, he never balked again.

I've been grooming my own dogs, mostly poodles for about 20 years now and it's just easier to do feet with two people on a difficult dog. I do like the blade that narrows down to do small feet -- can't think of the number right now.

 

[Zahboo]

I was using a trimmer clipper. It's smaller so it doesn't freak out the dogs that much. Just use it on face and feet.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

1. Find a vet.
2. Sedate dog.

I have to do this EVERY time I decide to clip the feet...or risk losing a fingernail..or having a broken finger at the end of the ordeal. Plus, I get a few hours of "me" time without worrying about the dog trying to bolt out the door every 5 minutes.

Sorry...Pogo has issues.

 

[BorderKelpie]

I have found that peanut butter and patience is the only thing that works for my little one. He was a bit snarly when I got him (at approx. 5 mos) He just turned 6 yrs old July 3 (Happy B'day, Sic-Puppy!) and he is much better now. Make sure you're relaxed and comfortable when you get started, too. And, there is nothing wrong with doing a foot a day (if you can stand to look at a lopsided doggie. lol)
Best wishes!

 

[lurky]

The clippers can get hot and even when they are not hot they can poke tender spots on the dogs. Mine used to go to the groomer but they hurt them so many times i had to start doing it at home. The clippers can also bite the skin and pull hair. Cheap clippers can cause alot of pain. If the dogs had one time when any of the mentioned ouchies occured, they might never forget

I switched to shears for all the legs and feet, it works so much better, and the dogs dont fight me

ETA: i imagine it depends on the breed/type hair/fur the dog has if this would work for yours.

 

[Zahboo]

Well right now all feet are clipped but certainly not even. Maybe tomorrow after playtime when he's wore out I will work on evening them out. His face is even and looks good. The only thing he didn't like was when I had to lift his head to make the V under his head.