Grooming Your Small Dog at Home!

Dog-grooming is a talent learned, not given. However there is a certain level of patience that needs to be had whenever deciding to groom your own dog. Today, I will be walking you through step-by-step on how to do a basic summer puppy cut on your Shih Tzu, Yorkie, or Shorkie. This haircut can work for any small dog in the summer time. It is also globally known as a "puppy cut."

What you'll need: Grooming clippers, size 10, 7F, and 4F blades, hair cutting scissors, nail trimmers or file, comb, shampoo, conditioner, and preferably a Hi-Velocity dryer (or detangling spray).

1. Washing Your Dog

Pick out a shampoo and preferably a conditioner to use when bathing your dog. Conditioner helps keep your dog from matting, eases brushing, and softens the fur. Some top grooming brands include Chi for Dogs (Petsmart), Burt's Bees (Petsmart), Espree (Petco), and Furminator to control shedding (most stores carry this).

• A. Wash your dog TWICE with the shampoo you have picked out. Since dogs get their fur washed significantly less than we wash our hair, it will guarantee a much cleaner dog and helps greatly with the hair-cutting process.
• B. Let the conditioner set on your dog for five to ten minutes no matter the brand. This will help your dog's coat immensely and also ease dry skin.

TIPS when washing: Don't forget the eye corners, paw pads, and sanitary area, as these are the areas most likely to hold dirt.

2. Drying Your Dog

• A. The best possible way to dry your dog is with a professional strength grooming dryer (Hi-Velocity Dryer). This blows the fur in such a way that tangles are removed and you are left with a very sleek, tangle-reduced coat.
• B. If you do not posses a Hi-Velocity Dryer, you should just let the dog air dry after vigorously towel drying. Use a conditioning spray to reduce tangling and do not let your pet outside. Dogs love trying to roll themselves dry.

TIPS for drying: Using a human hair dryer isn't recommended since the force isn't very strong and may just scare your pupper in the long run. Hi-Velocity dryers are available on eBay for as low as $45. I personally recommend products from PetEdge.com.

3. Tips Before Grooming

• A. Always wait until your dog is completely dry to do any shaving or scissoring. This will ensure all the hair is the same length and you won't have trouble cutting.
• B. Place your dog on a table or counter. Secure the dog with a grooming loop or leash so the dog cannot fall or wiggle around while you groom.
• C. Brush through the fur to ensure all the tangles and matting is gone. If mats cannot be combed through wait until you can scissor them out. If your dog is severely matted do not groom from home as this can result in easily cutting your pet.
• D. Know your equipment. You will need, scissors, clippers (with different blade lengths. For the puppy cut, 10, 7F, and 4F blades are required.) Blades can be found on eBay for as cheap as $10 a piece. I personally prefer Andis brand of clipper and blade. Scissors only need to be branded for hair.

4. Performing the Puppy Cut

Perform these steps in order.

1. Trim or file down the nails. This will make cutting around the feet easier.
2. Shave out the paw pads with a 10 blade to remove pad mats, excess dirt build up, and help with traction when walking.
3. Use the 10 blade to shave around the sanitary area (Anus/Genital area). Never shave directly over the anus but shave outwards away from the area. This helps reduce fecal matter sticking to your dog's behind.
4. If your dog is holding very still, grab him/her by the chin fur and hold face steady. Shave out the eye corners, still using a 10 blade. Never go directly into the eye or shave over it. Skip this step if you do not feel comfortable or your dog is wiggly.
5. Begin shaving the body with the 7F blade. Always follow the grain of the fur. It's like cutting meat. When you shave the sides, shave downwards. When shaving the back, shave towards the tail base. Shave downwards on the legs and chest. Lift up the dog by his front legs to gently shave the belly.
6. When you have completely shaved the body in the 7F, use your hand or a brush to brush the fur backwards in order to lift any fur missed or lying down.
7. Use scissors to trim around the feet until a round fluffy shape as desired.
8. Trim tail as desired. Most puppy cuts do not have the tail shaved unless the tail is docked.
9. Use the 4F blade on the head for a short face. Shave over the head away from the eyes to the back of the neck. Flip clippers and shave towards the eyes to blend in the neck and back of head. Shave down sides of head and chin until the entire face is even.
10. Trim ears as desired. Most puppy cuts have very short ears. However, if your puppy is wiggling or you feel uncomfortable using scissors that close to the ear, you can simply trim the ends and add bows.

TIPS for performing the puppy cut: Anything you don't feel comfortable doing, leave to the professionals. If you want a longer face length, use attachment combs. These are typically not sold in stores. If you are finding the haircut does not blend very well, try investing in a pair of thinning sheers. These give the impression of an even haircut by blending the choppy areas.

Thank you so much for reading. :) Feedback is gratefully accepted.

Happy Grooming!