how hard is it to groom a dog?

[havaneselover]

I talked to DH and he says the reason he uses human clippers, not dog clippers, is that dog clippers usually only have 1 setting and it is too short. It gives that shaved look and Laura66, I'm with you that I don't like it that short. DH does the setting at either 1 inch or 1 1/2 inch on the human clippers. 1 1/2 inch is cuter, but if it is a really hot time of year he might do 1 inch as the dog likes it, or if he just wants more time between groomings or she has gotten too many mats he will do 1 inch. He also says that if your dog gets a really big mat, then he would recommend cutting it out or apart some with scissors before using the clippers because the clippers can snag in really big mats.


Thanks Havaneselover, Laura66, and Sherreis, I really miss that dog. She was my shadow. DH always complained that she liked me best! She was running around like a puppy the day that picture was taken, and 2 weeks later she woke up one morning with a really bad cough and passed away a few days later. She went to the vet the day she got sick and she had an enlarged heart, they were hoping the coughing was an unrelated virus, but it wasn't.

On the bright side, here is our new little troublemaker. It was a great decision for us to go ahead and get a new dog right away. She likes DH best though!

Wow! She is so precious!

11 is way too young : (

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

I shave my shih tzu every 3 to 4 months. I just bought some dog clippers and use them. Then I trim up where I have to with a pair of scissors. I refuse to do nails so I take her and the other dogs to the vet to get it done.

I do the shaving in little sessions so she doesn't have to sit there too long all at once. I give her a 5 min break to run a little then back at it. Then when I am fully done I give her a treat for being a good girl.

 

[abmitch01]

my other dog, an abused dog from the shelter just needs baths. She gets petrified, I feel so bad. I tried several times to cut her nails with someone to hold her still she raised holy hell, it was awful. Yet at the vet or groomers, she's fine.

I really like those Havenese pics. Are they shed-less dogs? how big do they get? although I vowed never to buy from a breeder again

 

[abmitch01]

oh and I pay $10 for my haircuts while Buddy gets the full doggie spa experience for $55. that's just not right!

 

[havaneselover]

my other dog, an abused dog from the shelter just needs baths. She gets petrified, I feel so bad. I tried several times to cut her nails with someone to hold her still she raised holy hell, it was awful. Yet at the vet or groomers, she's fine.

I really like those Havenese pics. Are they shed-less dogs? how big do they get? although I vowed never to buy from a breeder again

Mine is plus-sized. She's 22 pounds I like to think I got more for my money. Breed standard is 8-14 pounds or something like that. Her cousin who my ex owns is 10 pounds. Yes, they don't shed and are "hypo-allergenic". Their coats can be high maintenance because their hair is like cotton so if you don't comb it all the time it may mat.

I know what you mean about a breeder, but I got one from a breeder because my first dog had so many medical problems (double cataracts by 6, four bladder surgeries, etc.) I wanted to minimize the chance of large medical bills and went to a very high quality breeder who runs all the tests you should on the dogs she breeds. So far it's worked. My hav is 7.5 and has had no medical issues besides two allergy attacks.

 

[abmitch01]

Plus all the shelters seem to have anymore are pits. I'm not against them. I bought a house with my aging parents and they have one. He is so sweet but he is HIGH energy. I wouldn't get one again because of that. I like low key dogs.

 

[MichiganKris]

Grooming a dog is not difficult IF you have the proper tools. This means $100 clippers with different blades and combs to get the length coat you want on the dog. If you brush the dog regularly you will not get matts and it will make the grooming easier.

 

[ktlm]

I really like those Havenese pics. Are they shed-less dogs? how big do they get? although I vowed never to buy from a breeder again

Thanks. We have allergies in our house and they are great for that. They are totally shedless. They are supposedly hypoallergenic (but like anything else if there are a ton of allergens outside and you stick your face in their fur after they have been out, it is going to make you sneeze). They are also very smart and train quickly- the Havanese have a history of often being used for dog acts and circuses because they train well and love doing anything that will get them attention. They are good with kids. If you keep their fur puppy cut like the pics and then don't wait until it gets horribly long before you groom them again, they are low maintenance. If you wait until it gets too long, you are going to have mats if you aren't brushing it regularly. If you try to keep it really long and uncut like the breed standard for a show dog, then you better like brushing a dog because you will need to do it every day or two or it will mat up. We kept Maggie's uncut and long for the first 3 years we had her, but then we had DD, and keeping the long haired dog mat free and handling a baby was just too much! I cried the first time we cut her, but she loved it and when I look back at old pics she looks much cuter with shorter hair. They are supposed to be 7 to 14 pounds, but Maggie was 15 pounds. My SIL has one that is about 20 pounds. We know 4 other Havanese in our area and they are all in the 8 to 11 pound range. Our new one is 7 pounds right now, but she is only 6 months old so I'm guessing she will fill out and add some. The one thing about them is if you don't want a lap dog or a dog that is going to follow you everywhere around the house, they might not be for you. They are very social and like to be wherever people are. If you sit down or lay down, you very often will find a dog lying on top of you or pressed up against you. They are also smart enough to figure out that if they have been following you around with a toy and you are not throwing it or playing with them or paying attention to them, that if they grab a sock or some underwear of yours from the laundry and get your attention then take off that you will play (i.e. chase them).

I think it is great to adopt Shelter dogs, but we are in love with Havanese and with allergy issues and a still fairly young child, they just work out better for us.

 

[havaneselover]

Thanks. We have allergies in our house and they are great for that. They are totally shedless. They are supposedly hypoallergenic (but like anything else if there are a ton of allergens outside and you stick your face in their fur after they have been out, it is going to make you sneeze). They are also very smart and train quickly- the Havanese have a history of often being used for dog acts and circuses because they train well and love doing anything that will get them attention. They are good with kids. If you keep their fur puppy cut like the pics and then don't wait until it gets horribly long before you groom them again, they are low maintenance. If you wait until it gets too long, you are going to have mats if you aren't brushing it regularly. If you try to keep it really long and uncut like the breed standard for a show dog, then you better like brushing a dog because you will need to do it every day or two or it will mat up. We kept Maggie's uncut and long for the first 3 years we had her, but then we had DD, and keeping the long haired dog mat free and handling a baby was just too much! I cried the first time we cut her, but she loved it and when I look back at old pics she looks much cuter with shorter hair. They are supposed to be 7 to 14 pounds, but Maggie was 15 pounds. My SIL has one that is about 20 pounds. We know 4 other Havanese in our area and they are all in the 8 to 11 pound range. Our new one is 7 pounds right now, but she is only 6 months old so I'm guessing she will fill out and add some. The one thing about them is if you don't want a lap dog or a dog that is going to follow you everywhere around the house, they might not be for you. They are very social and like to be wherever people are. If you sit down or lay down, you very often will find a dog lying on top of you or pressed up against you. They are also smart enough to figure out that if they have been following you around with a toy and you are not throwing it or playing with them or paying attention to them, that if they grab a sock or some underwear of yours from the laundry and get your attention then take off that you will play (i.e. chase them).

I think it is great to adopt Shelter dogs, but we are in love with Havanese and with allergy issues and a still fairly young child, they just work out better for us.

Mine is completely velcroed to me when I'm home. And the second I sit down on the couch she's in my lap, often sitting on my laptop. They are dog lovers' dogs for sure. I will say that I went through a very rough divorce (I'm sure they all are) and that dog was there for me whenever she sensed I needed her. I need to keep that in mind when she drives me insane.

Luckily she's outgrown the Havanese trait of playing with/shredding toilet paper. It's so odd that things like that can be breed specific but man did she unravel a lot of rolls and apparently it's very common. She also is a dumpster diver if we forget to shut the pantry door where the garbage can is and I cannot for the life of me figure out how to keep her off the kitchen table short of buying a new, taller one. Even with these minor shortcomings, I cannot imagine ever getting any other breed.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I love the pictures of your beautiful dogs!

Does anyone here do hand stripping?

Background: Some of you might know me here as someone who's fairly dog savvy. I've always had German Shepherds and always groomed them myself - including nails - until several years back when we had our tub reglazed, then we started bringing our girl to be groomed or doing it ourselves at the DIY groomers. On a Shepherd it's easy-peasy.

So now, for the first time in my life, I have a terrier. He's a great little guy but this grooming thing has got me a bit perplexed. DD and I are watching youtube videos on hand stripping (apparently if you shave their coat it changes the texture, and at least to start, I'd rather keep the texture as I really like it) but we are not ready to tackle it yet ourselves. Recently his face was overgrown (as seen in picture below) so I had to trim it. Like others have said, it was rather difficult but eventually I think I succeeded (for the most part) without traumatizing him, lol. I did buy some human clippers for his face but haven't used them yet.

Advice is welcome. He does enjoy a bath. (And sometimes jumps in the shower with us! ) SOS!

 

[got2sammies]

I have to fur babies One is a Corgi and I dont cut his hair. I cant even cut his nails because he hates anyone touching his feet. The Vets office can do it and for $15 go right ahead. My other fur baby was inherited(my brother got stationed across county) anyway he is a Chiuaha(sp) Pomerian mix with Long thin hair and he sheds a lot (worse than the corgi) My brother always took him to the groomers but I dont have $$ like that so I started doing it myself. I keep him short (not completely shaved though)in the summer and use regular clippers with the longest guard and then use the scissors for face legs and underbelly. He is not going to a fashion show and it works. The more I do it the better I get

 

[hsmamato2]

Yes,my pro friend showed me how use the clippers on the nose,face,it's a simple technique,once you learn. I use high end(powerful) human clippers,with all the liitle #'d spacers.....cheap ones just don't work. Youtube videos are your friend....like I said, I'm not fussy,just a simple puppy cut,for keeping her clean!

 

[ktlm]

Mine is completely velcroed to me when I'm home. And the second I sit down on the couch she's in my lap, often sitting on my laptop. They are dog lovers' dogs for sure. I will say that I went through a very rough divorce (I'm sure they all are) and that dog was there for me whenever she sensed I needed her. I need to keep that in mind when she drives me insane.

Luckily she's outgrown the Havanese trait of playing with/shredding toilet paper. It's so odd that things like that can be breed specific but man did she unravel a lot of rolls and apparently it's very common. She also is a dumpster diver if we forget to shut the pantry door where the garbage can is and I cannot for the life of me figure out how to keep her off the kitchen table short of buying a new, taller one. Even with these minor shortcomings, I cannot imagine ever getting any other breed.

You mean this:



Note all the toys scattered around Lacie, but apparently those weren't nearly as interesting. I wasn't aware that was such a Havanese trait, but Maggie did it too until she was about 2 years old. You really cracked me up because just this morning, I was walking through the house and saw a bunch of papers scattered on the floor by our kitchen table. I look at the table, and there is Lacie standing on the table throwing all of DD's papers off of it one by one. I was shocked! Maggie NEVER once in 11 years climbed on the kitchen table! Ah, the joy of having a puppy again! Maggie quit almost all mischief by age 2 and was a pretty calm dog. I'm hoping this one does the same, but she is definitely a bit more of a troublemaker!

Havanese are great at comforting and taking care of people. Sorry you had a rough time, but glad you had a Havanese at your side. We had infertility issues and I also lost my Dad to cancer in that time period, and that dog was absolute velcro to me through all of that. When I was pregnant, she stuck to me like glue and would just lay next to me with her head on my stomach. Then when we finally had DD, every time DD would cry or sneeze, the dog would come running to get us. They are such people puppies. She was also very good at climbing on me and laying across any book I was trying to read if it meant I was not paying any attention to her. I'm with you, I love all dogs, but I can't imagine not having a Havanese either.

Pea-n-me your little boy is adorable. I love his precious face. I think it is beautiful a little long. I grew up with German Shepherds, they are great dogs. I don't even know what hand stripping is, so I can't help you there though!

 

[havaneselover]

You mean this:



Note all the toys scattered around Lacie, but apparently those weren't nearly as interesting. I wasn't aware that was such a Havanese trait, but Maggie did it too until she was about 2 years old. You really cracked me up because just this morning, I was walking through the house and saw a bunch of papers scattered on the floor by our kitchen table. I look at the table, and there is Lacie standing on the table throwing all of DD's papers off of it one by one. I was shocked! Maggie NEVER once in 11 years climbed on the kitchen table! Ah, the joy of having a puppy again! Maggie quit almost all mischief by age 2 and was a pretty calm dog. I'm hoping this one does the same, but she is definitely a bit more of a troublemaker!

Havanese are great at comforting and taking care of people. Sorry you had a rough time, but glad you had a Havanese at your side. We had infertility issues and I also lost my Dad to cancer in that time period, and that dog was absolute velcro to me through all of that. When I was pregnant, she stuck to me like glue and would just lay next to me with her head on my stomach. Then when we finally had DD, every time DD would cry or sneeze, the dog would come running to get us. They are such people puppies. She was also very good at climbing on me and laying across any book I was trying to read if it meant I was not paying any attention to her. I'm with you, I love all dogs, but I can't imagine not having a Havanese either.

Pea-n-me your little boy is adorable. I love his precious face. I think it is beautiful a little long. I grew up with German Shepherds, they are great dogs. I don't even know what hand stripping is, so I can't help you there though!

Lol! Yes, that's what I meant. They're incorrigible but they're so darn cute that they get away with it. They definitely are good for laughs

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Wait, I can join the toilet paper club!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

ktlm, this describes hand stripping:

http://www.tlcgroomingdogs.com/stripping/

 

[Happyjen27]

I think you can do it!

Get GOOD clippers. I paid about $75 for a set of Oster Professional (I worked at a vets and got them at cost) and they are still working great 17 years later.

It won't look nearly as good as a professional groomer, however, it will save you tons of money. The key to success is putting the dog on a table, on your level, that will improve their willingness to do what you're asking.

In the beginning, give tons and tons of treats and love and treats! It will help make them not hate grooming time so much.

 

[ktlm]

Wait, I can join the toilet paper club!

Guess it is not just a Havanese trait!

Thanks, I just learned something completely new. Hand Stripping sounds like it might be hard though!

 

[tinktinktink]

Hand stripping just sounds painful and if it's not done properly it will hurt the dog.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Hand stripping just sounds painful and if it's not done properly it will hurt the dog.

It's very labor intensive. Like a labor of love, because it enables the rough coated dog to keep his natural coat. (Shaving changes the texture if you didn't get to read the whole article, and that subjects them to injury as they are likely to go into brush and holes after small living things, even in a yard.) My sense is that people who do it aren't the types to hurt their dogs, including me. From what I can tell, it doesn't hurt the dog; the dog is no more uncomfortable than any dog is at the groomer's. The hair follicle is different than in most dogs and humans, so it doesn't feel the same way it would to us or other dogs.

At any rate, I had mine done professionally yesterday. The groomer showed me how to hand strip, and it didn't hurt my dog - I was right there. She wound up doing a modified version (as to do a full hand stripping would take hours). We were happy with it. This lady was nice enough to share her knowledge with me and show me a tool I can buy to do it at home between groomings. We were happy with results. (And he wasn't traumatized.)

After

Before

I think it is beautiful a little long.

Thank you! I do, too - but it was getting too long and was hanging in and across his eyes, etc. I had to trim him up myself a bit (had just done so in the before picture) and I had no clue what I was doing.