Grooming

Grooming  your dog is a great way to bond with your dog. It will mean you will always have a clean and well groomed dog and save money at the grooming parlour. This applies particularly if you have more than one dog as many poodle owners do. The guide below also applies to people with any long coated breed- not just poodles. Poodles are non- allergenic and do not shed coat thus they must be groomed regularly.

The picture above is "Teddy" in a traditional lamb clip- an easy to maintain and smart clip. There are many basic poodle clips and it is a matter of personal choice.

To initially commence grooming you need the right basic equipment and if possible access assistance or lessons from a professional. If these are not available there are many videos on facebook and you can google sites which will help. There are also books available which will help.Remember ebay and google will help you find and compare so many items both to buy and for instructional purposes.

I offer basic lessons to people in Wagga Wagga and the surrounding areas for a minimal cost and they have found these very helpful. I am also prepared to offer assistance by email or phone if this is helpful. I know that many professionals do not have the time to help or feel people want to learn and start up in competition. As a retired teacher  and also exhibitor and owner of poodles for over 40 years I have the experience and ability to help and gain a great deal of satisfaction from this.

Equipment.

The equipment I recommend  is:

• Good quality clippers. I use Andis 2 speed clippers ( approx cost $250- $300). Some people like the Oster or Wahl which are similar. Do not buy the cheaper clippers  ( around $100) as they are not powerful enough and you will waste your money. Clippers may be accessed from outlets such as www.clipperworld.com.au, ebay or by googling sites. The clippers comes with a size 10 blade but you will need other blades to do an effective job.
• Blades- These are metal and interchangeable. A size 5  ( approx $50- $60) is ideal for the body while a size 30  ( approx $40- $50) will clip the face, feet & tail. Other sizes may be used but these are a good guide. ( I use a size 40- which is closer for FFT).  Clippers blades may be sharpened as needed ( approx $10) to ensure blades cut smootly & cleanly.  ( I use" Clipperman" http://www.clipperman.com.au/ who has been sharpening blades for many years and offer a very reliable and prompt postal service) Recently I have used a 3 3/4 blade for dogs which are clipped off but not too short.
• Grooming table- with pyramid matting or similar on the top to ensure dog has a comfortable grip and does not slip. Professional tables are available in a range of sizes- approx $200
• Clipper blade spray is available for cleaning, lubricating & disinfecting blades after use. ( approx $26)
• Scissors- good quality ( approx $70 and upwards) will give a good finish. I use  size 8.5 straight and curved scissors- beginners may prefer a smaller blade.  These may also be sharpened.
• Comb- metal greyhound comb
• "Doggyman "slicker brush- is soft and effective on the dog's coat- approx $35
• Nail clippers. I use the guillotine type but others prefer the plier type.  Styptic powder or even soap is ideal to stem bleeding if you cut a little too much from the nail.

• A good dryer- ranging in price from $100 upwards. For 1-2 dogs most people buy the Aeolus barrel type while the professionals use the Simpson or Liberty or turbo dryers.
•  
•  Liberty or Simpson type                                         barrel type dryer

• Shampoo, conditioner
• Towels
• A pin brush is also helpful for long coats. When brushing a long dry coat a spray bottle of water will lightly danpen the coat and  make it easier to brush.
• Non slip mat in bath
• A hose attached to the tap which will provide adequate presure and spray to rinse your dog.

While this may seem a daunting list- it can be purchased as the budget allows but will be invaluable over time. 

For that finishing touch- optional extras are:

• grooming spray. I use Lustre Aid. Other dog colognes include Four Paws, Plush Puppy "Odour Muncher". These leave your dog sweet smelling . 
• bows/ bandanas
• matching collar & lead.
• beautiful diamante collars & leads are available at http://lovebitepet.weebly.com      
• Moulded or mesh carry box.
• knitted or polar fleece coat for winter.

A very good site that explains in more detail the clipping procedure is: http://ridgewoodpoodles.com/Grooming.htm

Books

Books on grooming( e.g The New Complete Poodle Clipping & Grooming Book by Shirlee Kalstone - $26 incl freight) may be obtained from:

http://www.fishpond.com.au

Useful sites to access grooming equipment include:

• http://www.peperonepetsupplies.com/
• http://www.groomersproducts.com.au
• http://www.petnetwork.com.au
• http://www.clipperman.com.au/
• http://www.ezycoat.com.au
• http://www.ozgroomingworld.com.au

Clipping/ Grooming your dog

When choosing to clip and trim your dog you need ample time and a suitable quiet location in which you can approach your workprofessionally and concentrate on what you are doing. It should be a pleasurable experience for both you and your dog- not a stressful one. Your dog becomes more used to grooming and is easier to manage if it is done regularly with maintenance grooming in between to ensure the dog is used to brushing, combing and handling. This should start at an early age.

If possible your dog should be brushed/ combed out gently to ensure no knots- this can be done the day before. Always handle your dog gently but firmly.

Ensure the bath and all equipment are ready and easy to access.

Place your dog on the grooming table and you are ready to commence. The dog should stand quietly and gradually learn your instructions such as sit, stand, turn etc. Puppies may initially be a handful and squirm etc but they will learn with regular training.

I commence with clipping the face, feet and tail with a size 40 ( 30 or 15) blade. I also clip their underneath private parts- taking care in this area. The face and feet are clipped against the grain. There is an imaginary line from the ear to the corner of the eye. Then scoop down the neck. Clip the nose and the remainder of the face.

At all times check whether the blade is heating up- just touch the blade on the back of your hand. If too warm allow to cool on an ice pack for a few minutes. I have more than one blade and so swap to a cool blade.

When the feet are clipped the hair is removed to show the feet to the top of the back pad. It is then easy to see the nails and I carefully trim the nails. I like the nails to be short ultimately and so often the nails are trimmed every week even if not grooming. Short nails make it more comfortable for the dog.

Shave the tail to leave a pom/ brush at the end.

I also clean the anal glands on a toy poodle ( your vet can show you this). By keeping these clean it reduces the possibility of an anal abscess.

The body is clipped with the grain of the coat with a size 5 blade or blade of your choice- from the base of the skull all over the body to and tops of the shoulders and tops of the back legs. This is just a basic trim to remove excess hair prior to their bath, trim and final tidy up. The number 5 blade is easy to work with and leaves a good length on the back, chest and under the body.

As with all tools, the clippers, blades and scissors become easier to use with practice. 

Bathing / Drying

Place the dog in the bath and using your hose spray ( medium temperature) fully wet the coat. Then shampoo your dog being careful not to get water or shampoo in their eyes or ears. Work the shampoo into the coat- then rinse. Repeat with conditioner. Using a wet cotton ball clean the area under the eye. ( This may need doing priott o clipping the face).

When fully rinsed placea towel over the dog and either dry in the bath or move to table and dry. When the excess water has been removed use the dryer to dry the dog. The coat must to totally dry. Be careful not to blow air into the ear canals or too forcefully on the face.

Trimming- Lamb Trim

Now the coat is fully dry, gently comb/ brush the coat toensure it is as straight as possible.

Using your scissors and comb commence on the leg. I start on the rear leg. Comb the hair upwards and out and trim a small amount each time folwoing the shape of the leg. After trimming several times, comb the leg again. Repeat the procedure until the shape is achieved. Blend the top of the leg to the shape of the body. Repeat on other rear leg.

The front legs are like cylinders and the tops are also blended in. There shoulds be a smooth finish with no floppy pieces of hair on the legs.

The topknot is shaped like a round ball. Once again comb and scissor- ensuring the eyes are shown and clear.

The tail is shaved to leve a pom pom or brush shape. This is neatly trimmed.

The ears may be trimmed to the length required or shaved. Check that the inside of the ear is clean an non smelly. If smelly they chould be checked by the vet.

Finishing Touches

Now you have finished the poodle you may wish to add bows, spray etc. Bows may be made or purchased on line. These areon small dental rubbers and may be placed in the topknot or on the hair of the ears. ( Never put bands on the leathers of the ears.

Congratulations- clipping and grooming your poodle is a big job and very rewarding.

If the job is too much for one effort- do it regularly in small steps.

Have fun & enjoy your poodle.

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