how hard is it to groom a dog?

[abmitch01]

I want to cut corners where I can. I can't cut the dogs toenails because I have visual deficits and I can't see well enough to do it safely. So I pay for that. We adopted a cavalier king charles spaniel. He has a long flowing coat. I get him shaved down probably 4 times a yr and then let it grow out. I wouldn't begin to know how to groom him in the long flowing style but I could maybe learn how to shave him down. Is that hard? Would I have to buy a grooming table so he stays still?

 

[sksjasams]

You could try watching some you tube videos on grooming that breed, and see what you think.

Does he get mats? I think those would be tricky to deal with. Also, I believe there may be the issue of dealing with the glands in his behind area...

You could try searching craigslist under services. There is a pet section. You may find someone who does it out of their home for a less expensive price.

I never knew what that dog looked like before, so I looked it up - very cute!

 

[havaneselover]

I have a Havanese and a Bichon. I wish I could groom them because I spend about $400/year on this, but there's just no way. The Havanese mats, I'm scared to death I'd cut their nails too short, and I just don't want to use scissors around their faces (it's bad enough cutting the eye gunk away). Throw in the anal glands and I wave the white flag. I'll eat mac and cheese for dinner if I have to : )

And a family friend just had a new groomer cut her Maltese's ear and the amount of blood lost was apparently unreal (almost ruined the interior of her luxury car). It's just not worth taking the chance for me.

 

[teacup princess]

Watch youtube videos and see if you think you could do it. I'd say it depends on the dog's temperament as well. I started grooming mine not only because of the cost but because it was so anxiety producing for her. She can really fight it. She hates the buzzing clippers and won't allow you to mess with her face at all so I bought a pair of these
http://www.amazon.com/Scaredy-Cut-Silent-Clipper-Pink/dp/B003JDP4UG. They really do work. We just changed her 'do to a long face long legs style she'll tolerate. I think she's cuter that way anyway.

 

[wgeo]

I have a cockerpoo and he has sensitive skin and we have found that keeping his hair very short makes him less itchy. For years we paid for grooming, but it just was too much $$$. So I bought a clippers from Walmart and starting shaving him myself. It was not fun and it seemed to take up an entire day, but he tolerated it really well. I dreaded doing it though because it took too long.

Eventually, I realized that using a really cheap set of clippers was making it a lot harder on myself. So, I did some research and about 3 years ago bought a pair that cost around $100. Love them, his haircuts are much easier and he looks better. Obviously the more that I do it the better he looks, the first year or so was kinda hit or miss with his looks. But I don't think it hurt his self esteem

I'm sure he would still look better if I took him to a groomers, but it just saves too much money and now I can clip him every month instead of trying to stretch out the time between appointments to save money, which really helps with his scratching.

 

[abmitch01]

yeah, he gets mats. And my vision for up close work makes me nervous, like around his feet and face. I had a min-dachshund who had long hair. I used to just cut his hair with scissors. The first time I did it, it was pretty choppy, he went and hid under the Christmas tree. My DD was 5 at the time and she said,"he won't come out because he's embarrassed." I think I'm gonna suck it up about the grooming, I totally forgot about the glands. You'd really need a way to make him stand still. This needs to be someone else's headache for now.

I usually get dogs at shelters but we got this dog from an old lady who couldn't keep up with him anymore. He's a beautiful red color with the sweetest disposition. We lucked out. I'd definitely recommend this breed. They love people.

 

[havaneselover]

Watch youtube videos and see if you think you could do it. I'd say it depends on the dog's temperament as well. I started grooming mine not only because of the cost but because it was so anxiety producing for her. She can really fight it. She hates the buzzing clippers and won't allow you to mess with her face at all so I bought a pair of these http://www.amazon.com/Scaredy-Cut-Silent-Clipper-Pink/dp/B003JDP4UG. They really do work. We just changed her 'do to a long face long legs style she'll tolerate. I think she's cuter that way anyway.

My havanese is nuts. Sweet as can be, but high strung. I think that's why I'm nervous about the face. The clippers don't concern me too much as I use them on my ds

 

[ktlm]

We had a Havanese for 11 years that passed away a few months ago, and now we have a new Havanese. DH grooms the dog himself. Both of us think the real groomers shave the hair too short. We like to leave it a little longer like what they call a "puppy cut", but short enough that it doesn't matt. He uses human hair clippers, and I can find out what setting he uses if anyone wants to know.

It isn't that hard. If the dog is "in a mood" it might not always be totally straight! You don't have to buy a grooming table. For a long time at our old house, DD would just set her on the washing machine and do it there. Now he just does it on the counter in the laundry room. He just lays a towel down before he puts the dog there to catch all the hair etc.

Havaneselover- no way we would do anal glands ourself! We only had an issue with that once with our previous Havanese and that one was for the vet!

DH did toenails on our previous Havanese because all of her toenails were white except for 1. Our new Havanese has all black toenails, so we probably won't do those ourselves.

This is what Maggie looked like the day after DH groomed her. 11 years old, but still looked like a puppy. Might not be straight and perfect, but it worked fine for us!

 

[havaneselover]

Awe, she was adorable. Sorry for your loss. They are amazing dogs. Thanks for the tips! I may give this a shot. I really don't need my girls to look perfect. Just not matted and without hair in their eyes.

 

[Laura66]

I have a cavalier! The key is brushing him every day! Our Rustle gets everything caught in his hair when he's outside!
I wouldn't groom him at all if it was up to me - show dogs never get a haircut - but my husband likes his "skirt" and tail trimmed. I also have them cut close around his paws in the sloppy spring as it's easier to keep them clean so he doesn't track so much mud in. We also have them clean up by his behind!
If you can't see well I don't think it would be safe to trim his paws but you probably could learn to trim his ears and skirt.

 

[Laura66]

I have a cavalier! The key is brushing him every day! Our Rustle gets everything caught in his hair when he's outside!
I wouldn't groom him at all if it was up to me - show dogs never get a haircut - but my husband likes his "skirt" and tail trimmed. I also have them cut close around his paws in the sloppy spring as it's easier to keep them clean so he doesn't track so much mud in. We also have them clean up by his behind!
If you can't see well I don't think it would be safe to trim his paws but you probably could learn to trim his ears and skirt.
How does she have hair in her eyes? I've never had her facial fur trimmed?

(Sorry - I don't know how I dbl posted)

 

[abmitch01]

we shave Buddy down to cut back on the shedding. Is your Cavalier all red and on the larger size than the black and white ones? When he got Buddy, he was so overfed, he weighed 40 lbs and is supposed to weigh closer to 22. We got his weight down and he's much more active.

Maggie was so cute, she looked like a puppy. I never heard of that breed, very sweet.

 

[Laura66]

Everyone has their preference - but for me - I hate to see dogs shaved.
(Not saying it's wrong - just my preference)
If you get in the habit of brushing him every or every other day it will definitely cut down on the shedding and matts. A Furminater comb will help - as well a special shampoo formulated to cut down shedding.
My neighbor shaved down (herself) her sweet yellow lab to cut down the shedding and guess what? She has just as much hair around the house - it's just shorter and really sticks to the furniture. She still has to swifter all the floors every day - just like I do!
i take our Cavalier - he's a Blenheim - for a full groom (bath, groom, nails, teeth brushed) about every 6-8 weeks and it about 55 dollars with a tip.

 

[Laura66]

We had a Havanese for 11 years that passed away a few months ago, and now we have a new Havanese. DH grooms the dog himself. Both of us think the real groomers shave the hair too short. We like to leave it a little longer like what they call a "puppy cut", but short enough that it doesn't matt. He uses human hair clippers, and I can find out what setting he uses if anyone wants to know.

It isn't that hard. If the dog is "in a mood" it might not always be totally straight! You don't have to buy a grooming table. For a long time at our old house, DD would just set her on the washing machine and do it there. Now he just does it on the counter in the laundry room. He just lays a towel down before he puts the dog there to catch all the hair etc.

Havaneselover- no way we would do anal glands ourself! We only had an issue with that once with our previous Havanese and that one was for the vet!

DH did toenails on our previous Havanese because all of her toenails were white except for 1. Our new Havanese has all black toenails, so we probably won't do those ourselves.

This is what Maggie looked like the day after DH groomed her. 11 years old, but still looked like a puppy. Might not be straight and perfect, but it worked fine for us!

She is sooooo stinkin cute!!!!

 

[sherreis]

What a cutie!!!!

I am in the process of learning how to groom our Goldendoodle (65 lb) and our Bichon. It's a work in progress. The goldendoodle is much easier cause he had a great groomer when we lived in Maryland and I think he enjoys it. The bichon on the other hand - she's a holy terror and cries and cries.

 

[havaneselover]

What a cutie!!!!

I am in the process of learning how to groom our Goldendoodle (65 lb) and our Bichon. It's a work in progress. The goldendoodle is much easier cause he had a great groomer when we lived in Maryland and I think he enjoys it. The bichon on the other hand - she's a holy terror and cries and cries.

Oh, gosh. I can relate. My Bichon (she's 12.5 and blind and has very thin hair ) has always whined through bath and shakes the whole time she's getting dried. I still remember when she ran away from me when I was 8 months pregnant and hid under the bed so I wouldn't blow dry her. It would drain me. And my Havanese won't sit still. It's not an easy way to save money, but you guys are tempting me : )

 

[hsmamato2]

It's not that difficult....it's a dog! I got a poodle cross a couple of years ago from the pound, covered in mats and dreadlocks (poor doggy) I thought she was a 25 lb. dog, turns out she weighs 9 pounds anyway.... I brought her to a pro friend the FIRST time,b/c I didn't know how to get the matts off.... but I watched carefully.... and then I watched some youtube videos.... a few times. Then I bought a fairly expensive clipper set (it needs to be more powerful for all the fine fur and tangles) and went to work. The first few times it took me over an hour to do it....but I learned,and the dog didn't care if she was lopsided Now it's about a 1/2 hour of work,and I save 40-50.00 each time....that's a lot of $$$ for a dog haircut.... I don't even pay that much for my family to get a haircut I basically use a #2 clipper on her all over, feet and nose gets a zero,real close cut.Basically a simple puppy cut....she actually has one longer 'eyebrow' right now....but...she doesn't seem to mind! I figure if I save 50.00 a month for dog haircuts, that goes straight into my 'spoil myself' account

 

[hsmamato2]

and when she fusses,which she does.... I tell her "oh,give it a rest girly! We ladies love a day at the spa,geting our hair and nails done! quit complaining!" (b/c the dog understands english,of course lol) You just have to be gentle, but very firm about the process, so doggy knows you mean business.... There are moments she hates (paws) so I will do a paw, stop, distract her with a brisk patting, then do the next,etc. all the time keep praising when she is still.

 

[havaneselover]

It's not that difficult....it's a dog! I got a poodle cross a couple of years ago from the pound, covered in mats and dreadlocks (poor doggy) I thought she was a 25 lb. dog, turns out she weighs 9 pounds anyway.... I brought her to a pro friend the FIRST time,b/c I didn't know how to get the matts off.... but I watched carefully.... and then I watched some youtube videos.... a few times. Then I bought a fairly expensive clipper set (it needs to be more powerful for all the fine fur and tangles) and went to work. The first few times it took me over an hour to do it....but I learned,and the dog didn't care if she was lopsided Now it's about a 1/2 hour of work,and I save 40-50.00 each time....that's a lot of $$$ for a dog haircut.... I don't even pay that much for my family to get a haircut I basically use a #2 clipper on her all over, feet and nose gets a zero,real close cut.Basically a simple puppy cut....she actually has one longer 'eyebrow' right now....but...she doesn't seem to mind! I figure if I save 50.00 a month for dog haircuts, that goes straight into my 'spoil myself' account

My family haircut budget is $100/year and I'm spending 4x that on the dogs.

So you can use clippers on the face? That's honestly what I'm most concerned about (both that it will look bad and that I'll hurt them). And how do you trim the tail?

 

[ktlm]

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!