How to Groom a Small Dog's Eyes
Easy
15 - 20 Minutes
6 Weeks
Introduction
The last thing your pup wants it to have so much hair in his
eyes that it's irritating and makes it
hard to see where he is going. Not only can having hair in your pup's eyes be
irritating, over the course of time, it can actually cause damage to
them. On certain breeds., this irritation is responsible for the excessive
tearing that causes stains. The good news – with a little practice and
patience, you can learn to groom your small dog's eyes with confidence and keep
him from knocking that lamp off the table all the time.
Dog's Perspective
At first, your pup is not going to be very happy about you and a pair of shears getting anywhere near his eyes. But, with a little time and patience, you can teach your pup that it's okay for you to be there. Especially once he gets used to being able to see again. Take your time letting him get used to the shears and the sounds they make before you try to trim around his eyes, this will make the rest of the process go easier.
The Happiness is a Tired Pup Method
Effective
0 Votes
Slicker Brush
Scissors
Comb
Step
1
It all starts with a walk
Before trying to groom your pup's eyes when he is squirming around full of energy, start out by taking him for a nice long walk. Not only will this help tire him out and put an end to the wiggles, it gives your pup time to take care of business, all of which will only help him to remain calmer during the grooming session.
Step
2
Peek-a-boo
Your pup probably isn't going to like having those shears right in front of his eyes. So, cover his eyes with your non-shear hand. This will keep him from seeing what's going on, and it will give you a nice straight edge to trim by.
Step
3
The starting cut
Fluff up the hair on top of his eyes, this will make it much easier for you to trim and to get a good straight line. Take your time here and if your pup starts to wiggle, take a break, give him a treat and wait for him to calm down before finishing.
Step
4
Now of those "attack" eyebrows
Using your off-hand to hold your pup's eyes closed, gently trim his eyebrows. Pull them out gently and trim a small section at a time.
Step
5
Ending at the bottom
If your pup has hair growing out underneath his eyes, cover his eyes with one hand and trim the hair back. When you are all done, praise your pup for being a good boy and give him a treat.
Recommend grooming method?
The Comb and Trim Method
Effective
0 Votes
Slicker Brush
Scissors
Comb
Step
1
Brush first
Start out by using a comb or brush to gently brush the hair around his eyes out and away from them. This achieves two things. First, going through this hair with a brush or comb will help remove dirt, debris, small tangles and mats, and anything else hiding in the hair. Second, it will make it easier for you to cut the hair in straight lines.
Step
2
Meet your shears
This is the part where you need to take all the time your pup needs to get used to the sight and sound of the shears. Start by letting him see them and sniff them, then try gently placing them on his nose where he can still see them. Only move on when you are sure he is ready. Use gentle words of praise and use treats as rewards.
Step
3
The top comes first
Start by cutting a nice straight line that goes over the top of his nose, starting on one side and ending on the other side. Now give your pup a break and a treat before moving on. Doing this is a good way to get your pup used to having his face groomed.
Step
4
Finishing up
Next trim across the top of his eyes using one finger or a comb as a straight-line guide. Take your time and keep his eyes covered using your non-shear hand. Trim around the sides and gently blow away the hair from his muzzle and around his eyes.
Step
5
Let him know he did good
Once you are done and happy with the way your pup looks, give him lots of praise and a few of his favorite treats. Not only will this make him feel good, it will make grooming around your pup's eyes much easier the next time.
Recommend grooming method?
Caution & Considerations
- Never use dull shears as they tend to pull on your pup's hair instead of cutting it, which is quite painful for your pup.
- Be sure to use safety shears (they have rounded tips) to avoid injuring your pup.
- Take your time when trimming around your small dog's eyes, it is very easy to injure your pup.
- Keep plenty of your pup's favorite treats on hand to help keep him calm and reward him.
- Remember, if you are calm, your pup will pick up on the vibes and remain calmer for you.
- If your dog won't calm down enough for you to groom around his eyes, talk to your vet about a mild sedative.
Conclusion
It is very important that you keep the hair around your pup's eyes regularly groomed. Not only will with make it easier for your pup to see where he is going, but it can eliminate having the hair rub his eyes and cause injury to them. It doesn't take more than 20 minutes to groom around your pup's eye, but he is sure to appreciate it.
