Need Ideas for best grooming

[Marcia Black]

Taharaa is almost 6 months old, and her fur is getting longer, but I feel bad because she is so HOT!!!! What is the best way to groom her, just cut off the ends of the fur, shave her, I need help! Thanks to all of you! Marcia

[F, Calla & Luca]

I prefer to cut my dogs' hair with scissors so that I can get the length I want overall and then groom their faces the way I like them i.e. short under the chin, showing their eyes etc. If you use scissors you can always go back and do more or do some at at time. I usually don't have to restrain them since they don't mind it.

[Marcia Black]

Thanks so much for the idea - I think Taharaa is young enough so we'll be trying it this weekend, I'm sure - I just didn't want to have to shave her completely - I love her fur! Plus with winter around the corner, still wanted to make sure that she has plenty to keep her warm : ) Thanks again!

[Adina P]

I use clippers but don't 'shave' down to nothing. Depending on the dog's coat (if not too thick) you can snap on different length guides/combs onto the clippers to keep hair at a certain length. I think they make them anywhere from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But if you just need a little touch up (hair around eyes, butt, lady parts, etc) you can do that without clippers...although I prefer clippers near the anus to really keep it short there as poop comes out.

I bet you would enjoy our Grooming group here on Doodle Kisses as it is chock full of do-it-yourself info =)

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I tried scissoring Charli - the squirmy little doodle. I got off a good inch and left a good inch but she didn't look very kempt! It was not even. Needless to say, I did it Monday night and she went to PK Tuesday am! A tad embarrassed. After class, I took out the clippers with a 1" comb, stood her on my kitchen counter, and clipped away! She looks adorable. I scissor trim between her eyes with a short, blunt tipped scissor I got a PetCo (I will be investing in a good pair when I have the funds but I need new a better set of clippers first).
It really isn't too difficult if you take your time, read lots in the grooming group and repeat the blessing to the doodle grooming G-ds to keep you from making a blunder!! Start slow, don't get scissor happy, you can always go back and take off more.
Post pics to show of your grooming in the discussion in the Grooming Group "show off".
Good luck and have fun!