How to Shave a Small Dog's Face

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How to Shave a Small Dog's Face

Medium

15 - 30 Minutes

1 Month

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Introduction

Jock has a ton of hair and it often seems like most of it is on his head and face. How you cut it depends on your personal tastes, your breed's specific styles, and how creative you feel like being. It helps if you visualize Jock's head in terms of three different sections: the top of his head going from the brow line to the back of the skull, the sides of his head and cheeks going from just under his ears to the outer corner of his eyes, and the chin, going from his chin to the middle of his throat.

Dog's Perspective

While Jock might not be worried about having his coat groomed, when it comes to shaving his face, that’s a horse of a different color. When the hair on his own head becomes long enough to get in his eyes and block his vision or get inside of his nostrils where they can irritate his sinuses, he will probably start trying to let you know that it's time for a trim.

The Going for a Walk First Method

Effective

0 Votes

Slicker Brush

Scissors

Pin Brush

Clipper

Step

Out for a walk

Take Jock for a nice long walk before you groom him. This gives him time to go to the bathroom, stretch his legs, relieve anxiety, and tire him out. The less energy he has, the easier it will be to get him to settle down in order to shave his facial fur.

Step

Choose your room

Pick a room where you can close the door and set up all the tools you will need to shave Jock's face. Bring him in and if you are not sure he will stay still, have an assistant come in to hold him still. You may want to have his collar in order to have something to hold onto while you are working.

Step

Use a slicker brush

Using a slicker brush, brush the fur on his face following the "grain". Then brush the hair away from his eyes. Using a slicker brush separates the hair and make it easier for you to clip them. Attach the appropriate blade guide on your clippers along with a sharp blade, making sure to lubricate the blades first.

Step

Starting at the top

Place the clippers flat on top of Jock's head and clip from the brow line to the back of his head. Repeat until the top of his head is shaved. Gently clip between his eyes by placing the clippers with the spokes facing forward and trim the top of his muzzle.

Step

Work on the chin

Hold Jock's muzzle gently and lift it up so you can clip the hair going from his chin towards his throat. Finish up by holding each ear flap so you can shave them. Go over his face with a boar hair brush and you are all done! Easy, wasn't it?

The Set Up Method

Effective

0 Votes

Slicker Brush

Scissors

Pin Brush

Comb

Clipper

Step

Set up the grooming station

For this, you will need shears, clippers, a slicker brush, and a comb. Place them all in a convenient location where you can reach them from the grooming table or on a table if Jock is big enough to work on the floor.

Step

Clippers on

Turn the clippers on and let Jock have a good sniff and let him hear them run. This will help reduce his anxiety and make sure he doesn't try to pull away. Feel free to reward him with plenty of treats only when the clippers are on so that he associates the sound with good things.

Step

Choose your shaving direction

You should always shave in the direction Jock's hair is growing. This will make it much easier. Hold his head still and start at the top of his muzzle, working your way from the center and down the sides. Lift up his ears so you can shave his cheeks, being very careful around his eyes.

Step

Above the eyes

Use a comb and shears to trim the hair above his eyes, around the sides, and under them. Go slowly and take small breaks if Jock becomes too fidgety or nervous. You don't want to risk poking him in or around the eyes if you can help it.

Step

Wipe down

Wipe his face down with a damp cloth to remove any stray hairs that can cause irritation and you've got a mission accomplished. Give him a treat and plenty of praise for staying still during the grooming process which will help reinforce the idea that having his face groomed is a fun and rewarding affair.

Caution & Considerations

Never use products intended for humans on Jock as they can cause serious health issues or irritation of the skin.
Be sure your clippers have sharp blades. Clippers that do not have sharp blades may catch the fur and tug it, causing injury and pain.
Be sure to lubricate the blades to keep them from getting hot and burning Jock's skin. If you're inexperienced with clippers, you may want to ensure that you have plenty of practice with them before using them on your dog.
Use safety shears with rounded tips to avoid poking Jock. Feel things out with your hands to make sure they are less prone to causing cuts or nicks.
Take your time during this process, as this will make things much easier for both of you. If you need to take breaks or give your dog a reward to keep him still, don't hesitate to do so. The more fun and relaxing you can make it, the better.

Conclusion

It really doesn’t take long to learn how to shave your dog's face, but it does take a lot of patience and an eye for detail. The most important thing to remember is to take your time and work with Jock instead of against him and you should have no problem shaving his face. Feel free to consult professional groomers for tips and tricks for making the process pain-free and fun.

How to Shave a Small Dog's Face

Introduction

Dog's Perspective

The Going for a Walk First Method

The Set Up Method

Caution & Considerations

Conclusion

Success Stories and Grooming Questions

More Dog Grooming Guides