Grooming puppy pads

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

I just noticed today that the fur on Jersey's paws is really long. The fur in between her toes is very long and hangs past the bottom the of her pads. It doesn't seem to bother her at all but I found little mud balls hanging off the fur. Should this fur be so long that "tucks" under her pads when she walks?
She is only 8 weeks so I can't take he the groomers until her shots have be given. Do I just cut the fur with my normal kitchen shears? Any advice would be great.

[Adina P]

I would use scissors that have rounded ends made it just for grooming. Unless she is a very laid-back puppy, she will probably fight you on it. So wiggly feet with pointy scissors make me uncomfortable. You might also buy a pair of small Clippers just for her feet. Get her used to the sight of the Clippers, get her used to the sound before you start using them. play with her feet lots and give her treats for accepting that... over the course of a week work up to trimming a tiny bit of fur an the outside of her feet and eventually she will be just fine with you using scissors and Clippers on her feet.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Hi Angie,

I just trimmed my Gracie's pads tonight for the first time. She is 20 months old and the groomer has always done it. I have been experimenting with a bit of trimming here and there so that she doesn't have to go to the groomer so frequently. I ordered a nice pair of 7 1/4" curved, blunt tip shears on line. They are made by Miracle Coat. I liked the curved ones because if you trim the fronts of the paws you are able to get a nice round cut and not a straight across cut. There are so many shears to chose from and they can get pretty pricey. I found the ones at the local pet stores are horrible and don't cut. They just bend the fur or pull it. I also don't like working with long shears because I feel I can control shorter ones better if the dog should make a quick move.

I did Gracie's tonight while she was laying on the kitchen floor. I just grabbed a paw and sort of turned it so I could get to the underneath. She has huge and very floppy paws and it was easy to do. Another way to do it is when they are asleep on their backs...which most Doodles are! Since Doodles have webbed feet (webbing between the pads (toes), you have to be extremely careful to not cut the skin or web. There is a lot of fur between the pads and it can get matted. I use my finger nails and pull it and feel for mats. Before I do any cutting I gently pinch the fur starting at the deep webbed end until I don't feel the skin any more. Then I cut in front of my fingernail so I can guarantee I won't cut them. Also, the fur grows right up to the pad so you have to be careful not to cut the pad. Our groomer uses electric clippers but I haven't learned how to use them yet...only on my husband!!!

Hope this helps you. I have never groomed a dog before but I am slowly learning how to do the face, sanitary area and feet. Definitely do it when your baby is exhausted and sleeping. Good luck!

Nancie