How to Give a Dog a Haircut

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How to Give a Dog a Haircut

Medium

15 - 30 Minutes

3 Months

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Introduction

Are you tired of paying a fortune to the groomer just to keep Charly's hair cut every couple of months or so? Have you thought about doing the job yourself, but are not sure how to go about it? There are two ways you can go about cutting her hair. You can use electric clippers, or you can use shears. By the time you have mastered the skills, you will probably be using both of them to do a great job. Imagine all the money you will be saving and what you can do with it!

Dog's Perspective

If you have already been taking Charly to the groomer, then making the switch to you being her groomer should be very easy. If not, then you will have to work just a little bit harder to get her used being groomed. You may have to start with short sessions at first until she gets used to being groomed.

The Electric Clippers Method

Effective

0 Votes

Slicker Brush

Shampoo

Scissors

Pin Brush

Clipper

Step

Bathe your pup first

Before you try to cut his coat, you need to give her a bath and let her coat dry thoroughly. This will help remove tangles, mats, dirt, debris, and anything else hiding in her coat. Brush her coat out once it is dry. Place the appropriate length guide comb on the clippers and install a sharp blade. Make sure to lubricate the blades.

Step

Head first

Turn on the clippers and let Charly get used to the sound of them before starting to shave her from the top of her head all the way down her neck and chin. Make sure you get under her chin, ears, and down her chest. This may take some time if she isn't used to the sensation of being shaved.

Step

Front legs and on

Trim the outsides of both front legs, her back, and sides. Be sure to cut in the direction her hair is growing to avoid it from being uncomfortable. If necessary, work on this part in sections, taking breaks in between.

Step

Rump time

Being very careful, cut the hair around her rump and tail, then move onto her rear legs. Be careful in these areas, as they can be sensitive, and Charley may be prone to leaping or flinching at strange sensations.

Step

Roll over and finish up

Have Charly lay down so you can trim her belly, the rest of her chest, and the insides of her legs. Then use shears to trim the hair between her pads and toes. Have her stand up, brush her coat, and use shears or clippers to level any areas you missed.

The Simple Shears Method

Effective

0 Votes

Slicker Brush

Shampoo

Scissors

Pin Brush

Clipper

Step

It all starts with a bath

Before you attempt to cut Charly's hair, it needs to be clean first. Give her a good brushing and then a nice warm bath using a vet-approved shampoo. Rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of the shampoo and brush out the last of the mats and tangles. Let her air dry so you don’t add new tangles to her coat.

Step

Pick a style

If Charly has a breed specific style, be sure you have pictures of it to work from as you cut her coat. Alternatively, you can cut her hair to virtually any style you want. Just keep in mind level of comfort and be sure that the cut is appropriate for the outside weather.

Step

Off to a good start

Using shears, trim her face first, including around her eyes, nostrils, chin, and ears. You can hold her eyes closed with a finger while you trim around them if she gets too nervous. Trim down the front of her chest and the back of her neck. It will take a bit of practice before you will be able to cut perfectly even all over.

Step

Moving on down

Continue clipping her back and sides. Start at the bottom and work your way up from there when trimming her sides, as this will give a more even result. Trim around her bum, being very careful as the skin here is extremely thin and sensitive.

Step

And to finish

Have Charly lay down and roll onto her back. Trim her chest, belly, legs, and paws. Make sure you get the areas between her toes and pads. Stand her up and give a final brush her coat one more time. If there are any areas you missed, this is the time to touch them up. Give her a treat and let her know she is a good girl!

Caution & Considerations

Never use shampoos, soaps, or conditioners made for humans on Charly as they contain chemicals that can harm her. Be sure that all of your grooming tools are also appropriate and safe for her.
Use only vet-approved products as they are designed to meet the needs of dogs. This will ensure a better result of your grooming endeavors.
Be sure the blade on your clippers is sharp and well-lubricated. Not lubricating the blade could lead to injury or burns. Make sure that you've read all of the necessary safety information regarding your clippers of choice.
Be sure to use the correct guide on the clippers for length.
Check that your shears are sharp and have rounded safety tips. Maintain control of the shears throughout, as not being careful can result in nicks or cuts.
Take your time and make the process fun for both of you by using toys or treats to keep her still and in place.

Conclusion

It might take Charly a little while to get used to having you cut her hair, but as long as you keep working with her, using treats along the way, it won't take long before she settles down and starts to enjoy it with you. Make it fun, but always let her know who is in control by keeping a steady and firm hand throughout the process.

How to Give a Dog a Haircut

Introduction

Dog's Perspective

The Electric Clippers Method

The Simple Shears Method

Caution & Considerations

Conclusion

Success Stories and Grooming Questions

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