how hard is it to groom a dog?

[glss1/2fll]

We had a standard poodle that we groomed ourselves. We bought professional dog clippers (about $100 15 years ago) because we were told they don't heat up as much as people clippers so wouldn't burn him. With a big dog, you're clipping for quite a while! We groomed him outside on the porch and just sat on a stool to do it. When I first started I'd do sections. Maybe his legs one day and body the next. DH always clipped his face because I'm just not a detail person! For toenails, we used a dremel tool with the sandpaper attachment. Just a little zzzttt on each nail did the trick.

I agree that being firm and giving lots of rewards (verbal, petting and treats) are the way to do it. But I was definitely the alpha in his life so grooming was never a problem because he knew he'd never get away with anything! Not that he didn't try. "Oh, you want to do this side, I'm just going to roll over now!"

 

[robinb]

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!

what clippers do you have? I have a standard poodle and new maltese mix and my grooming costs just doubled!

 

[schrammalot]

I tried to give up the grooming costs and just gave up. It's worth my $60 every few months to have someone deal with my squirmy dog who hates everything and anything about being brushed.

Not naming names...