Dog Grooming 101
Posted by Brittanie · March 17th, 2008
Last weekend, I sat down on my front porch in the middle of west campus and became my dog’s own personal hair stylist. Comparable to a professional sheep shearer from Ireland, I sheared about two pounds of hair in the time it takes to drink a beer. I made sure that every last inch of fur was cut close to the skin, except the Mohawk which I kept dangling a mere 4 inches high and down the length of Sparky’s back. At first I did it because I was bored but now I see the benefits of a clean-cut pet.
Why would you want to shave your pet?
1. To reduce the amount of shedding by ten-fold.
2. To give your pet room to breathe during the hot days of summer.
3. To give him a new do with style.
4. To let him enjoy a day at the dog spa.
5. To build a bond of trust between man and best friend.
To my surprise, I am now the eccentric neighbor for always doing something weird in my front yard. To me, this title is totally worth it, because I disposed Sparky of hair that would have eventually ended up everywhere else in my life, i.e. my apartment, my car, my dinner…However much I enjoy it now, grooming a dog proved to be more challenging than I had thought.
Here’s what I learned:
#1: Do not shave the tail.
If you do, your dog will look like an over-sized rat. Believe me, I made that mistake once, and it takes a while to grow out. So instead of using shears, opt for a trim with the scissors. You have more control over the length of the hair and you can avoid the embarrassment of having a nutria for a pet.
#2: Shave with the hair on the legs, against the hair on the back, and a mix of both around the neck.
Cut according to the way the body is shaped. Each section is different. Make sure not to cut too much around the neck and especially watch out for the tail.
#3: Leave some hair for the birds.
Birds use the hair to make nests. Instead of throwing it all away leave some behind in the garden.
#4: Mohawks are fun but grow out very quickly.
…In other words, they are very high maintenance. Sparky’s Mohawk is in need of a trim and it’s only been a week since his last hair appointment.
#5: Play with your dog in between shearing.
This way he associates the experience with playtime. While Sparky was happy having doggy day spa, other breeds, especially smaller dogs, might panic at the sight and sound of the shears. So play with a ball, cut, trim, throw a frisbee, snip, and shear.
#6: Do not be afraid to go under the tail.
I know it looks gross but leaving the butt hairy is very noticeable. Lift the tail and shear upwards, starting from the middle of the leg and ending at the lower back. Most of this hair will be really thick and tough to shear through so try combing it before you start.
Finally, breathe in all that good, clean air, free of floating hair and fresh of stinky fur.
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March 17th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
My goodness, is there a dog under that Mohawk?
March 18th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
I thought this cut really suit him. Love it!