How to Groom Your Poodle at Home

Be Gentle and Calm to Teach your Poodle not to be Afraid

Grooming your poodle at home can save you money and increase the bond between you and your pet. When you take your poodle to a groomer, no matter how reputable, you really do not know how your pet is treated. Groomers may be kind and love your pet, but they have deadlines and quotas, and just don't have the time to teach your poodle with the kindness you would desire. Grooming your pet at home insures that he is groomed well and with the attitude that you would want for him.

Things You'll Need

• Clippers: there are many types. I have purchased the cheapest ones and been fine with minimal use. Used clippers are also often a good buy as the motors in most better brands last forever.
• Blow Dryer
• Pin Brush
• Comb
• Nail Clippers
• Shampoo
• Towel

Instructions

1. Prepare a space to groom your dog and get all of your supplies together. I use my kitchen counter top. For dogs that need some assistance to hold still, I have installed a small screw hook under my cupboard where I can attach a slide collar. The counter makes for easy clean-up as it helps to keep the clippings all in one place. A table can also work well with a dog that doesn't wiggle.

2. Begin by clipping your poodle's face. Secure your dog if necessary. Most poodles who have had some experience with grooming will be accustomed to this procedure. Hold your poodle's head in one hand,with fingers on the top of his head and thumb under his chin, holding back the opposite ear. Place the clipper, with blade flat, against his opposite cheek and clip back towards the ear. Clean this area, holding his nose up to clean under his neck. Do the same procedure on the opposite side. Clip his face, around his eyes, leaving any facial hair desired. Clip slowly and steadily, trying not to go over an area more than once or twice as this can cause clipper burn.

3. Next, Clip your poodle's feet. Be sure that your poodle is able to sit or stand without sliding by placing a rubber mat, taped down newspaper, or a towel under him. Pick up the first foot, nails facing you, and run the clippers over the surface. Separate the toes with your fingers from underneath and clip the hair between them. Bend the poodle's leg so you can see the bottom of the foot. Separate the toe pads and clip the hair from between them.

4. Hold your poodle's front feet in one hand and lift him to stand on his hind legs. Trim the hair from his belly, from his belly button back. Trim the hair from the insides of his hind legs, to about a third of the way down. Hold the poodle's tail by the end and trim from the base of his tail to about and inch and a half from the end. Trim the hair under his tail and from his bottom.

5. Bathe and Dry your poodle. I bathe my poodle in the kitchen sink, but depending on size, the bathtub may work better. Towel dry. Place your dog on the grooming surface and blow dry him. When blow drying your poodle, use your pin brush and brush the hair against the growth pattern, fluffing his hair. Be sure to not dry in one place for too long as the dryer can burn your poodle's skin. It is best to keep the dryer moving as when drying a human's hair.

6. If you have length attachments for your clippers, you can trim your poodle's coat to one length using these handy tools. If not, you will need to scissor trim him. Use good, sharp scissors and keep them flat against the poodle's coat to make a smooth surface. Trim legs by holding the paw and trimming in straight cuts up the leg. The top knot is trimmed by brushing it all forward and trimming it into a round circle when looking from the top, then brush it all back and do the same, then to each side. When all four directions are done, your poodle will have a nicely shaped top knot. The tail is trimmed into a ball.

7. Trim your poodle's nails, taking care not to cut into the "quick". If your poodle's nails are white, you can see this portion where the blood vessels stop. If they are dark colored, use care here. If you do nick him, a stiptic pencil or a product called "quick Stop" can be applied. I have also used corn starch to stop the bleeding.

Tips & Warnings

• Be patient with yourself and your poodle. Do only as much as you can with patience at one time.

• Praise your poodle for his good behavior!