The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Pets & Working Animals => Dogs => Topic started by: Bionic on June 09, 2016, 02:49:21 pm
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My poodle is always groomed by a professional but having it done every 7 weeks is quite expensive so I am thinking of giving it a go myself.
I did try once before and he looked like the dog from the specs saver ad.
I have some electric clippers and a smaller pair especially for the face and toes. The face in particular I am nervous about, getting close to the eyes.
Any tips to make the whole thing less of a problem?
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I trim my beardie around the eyes and use sharp hairdressers scissors, get someone to hold the head so they don't move and gently snip. I would think the electric clippers are fine but they will need trimming up a bit and the trimming up can be done with hairdressers scissors. Try and have a pattern to go off..... to make them rounded instead of square sticky out looking try rounding the ends a bit to blend in. Also Youtube may have some useful vids too. All the best and do let us know how you get on :)
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Yes, pics please once you've done it Bionic :innocent:
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Don't know anything about poodles specifically but wondering if you can use thinning scissors to get a softer look without steps or ridges. That is how you trim Flatties ears???
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_AWV1pVPqo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_AWV1pVPqo) - Face trimming
And one version of a clip - there are loads more on youtube :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Anx022zAEAg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Anx022zAEAg)
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My top tip is to clip the same direction the whole time - If you go left and right, you end up with a patchy look - if you always go left (or right!) the clippers stay flat to the dog and create a nice even length.
I'd also recommend a second pair of hands or a table with a grooming neck attachment - it is much easier to clip a dog stood still than one who is death rolling and moving - your poodle is used to being groomed so it should be a bit easier :)
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I don't "do" coats, I prefer the wipe clean variety but, with my inherited Yorkie I use a pair of surgical scissors to trim up face and paws. they stay sharp forever and are, I find, more maneagble than long, pointy scissors.