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Toy poodles are adorable when they are
properly groomed, but with hair that continually grows and easily mats, keeping
your dog groomed can become a frequent chore. Taking your poodle to the groomer
is one way to make sure that his coat stays attractive, but even between
groomings there will be some trimming that needs to be done. Here are some tips
you can use to groom your dog at home.
To trim your toy poodle on your own, you
will need some equipment. First, you will need some brushes and scissors. A pin
brush, slicker brush, greyhound come, a poodle comb, and another basic comb
with a handle are the brushes and combs you will need. You will also want a few
pairs of straight grooming scissors of differing lengths as well as round nosed
scissors. Finally, a good, quiet electric trimmer is the last piece of
equipment you will want.
The first time you are going to groom your
toy poodle, consider having it done professionally. This will give you a
starting place to know how the cut should look. As you maintain the cut, be
sure to pay close attention to the dog’s feet, where painful mats can develop.
Use the electric clippers to trim the hair around the pads after spreading the
toes by hand. Hold the foot firmly to control movement. Many owners choose to
keep the hair around the feet quite short to help the dog stay clean.
Another area that needs close attention is
the dog’s face and head. Keep the hair trimmed short around the dog’s eyes
using whatever pair of scissors feels the most comfortable. Hold the dog’s head
steady to avoid injury. Run the electric clippers along the throat while
holding dog’s the head up. Use a downward motion for long coats and an upward
motion for short coats. Use caution when grooming the muzzle so that you do not
damage the dog’s whiskers. Avoid clipping too closely when clipping the hair on
the outside of the ear. Be sure to remove tufts of hair from the inner ear by
hand or with tweezers.
The dog’s back, tummy, and tail are easier
to groom. This is best done with the electric trimmers. Be sure to comb the
hair before trimming, and keep the dog’s natural shape by clipping along the
contours of his body. By doing this basic trimming on a regular basis, your toy
poodle’s coat will stay in the best shape possible!
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