Going to attempt grooming at home

[Erin]

Hi all. I decided I'm going to attempt grooming my standard golden doodle myself. I need to know which tools you recommend and also any tips on how to do it. I've started watching videos. If I'm not super picky and have a guard on the clippers so I can't trim past a certain length on his body can I still mess it up badly? Thanks in advance!
-Erin

[c zoomer]

How did you keep Picco's coat groomed when he was a wiggly puppy? I don't seem to be able to really brush properly around the neck, inside legs, chest or ears and tail. Took her to a groomer for a sanitary cut and they held her with her hips dangling..yikes!..but it was a quick clip. What works for puppies? Her coat is silky.
She is a 4.8 lb puppy (not the similar adult photo).\

[DonMarie and Picco]

I didn't groom him as a pup.  I kept him brushed, which he used to love, and trimmed his mop head and my husband clipped him around the eyes while whispering to him.  He went to his first real groomer and got a scissor cut (very expensive) at a year old.  When Picco gets nervous, meeting someone new or at a groomer, he gets really still and not fidgety.

[c zoomer]

I forgot to ask about the coat around the eyes. It's gotten a tad longer, can't decide if it would stay ou of her eyes if longer, or if clipping is in order. She has a problem tracking right side and left side as taught in puppy school.

[c zoomer]

Well I DID it! This group's postings were read top to bottom for courage. My first bath for little Dinah.(4 months)  I was nervous...then I knew I'd better relax or it would be worse for her. I had done treats in the bath tub several times already...then today I tried to use a kitty litter pan with diluted puppy soap.  I dipped Dinah's 2 front paws in the water.  She was ok with that, but wanted to get out. (natch)  Then I went for the real thing. I tried wetting her with a sponge (too slow) and then used the hand held shower spray to wet her.  The soapy bath water (2") didn't really get me anywhere, but I did give the feet and legs a go with it. Then I used a diluted puppy soap and poured it onto her back.  More soapy than I thought for one capful in a soda bottle, but I ran my fingers through and did a shampoo.  Rinsing seemed to take longer than I thought since the soap had been diluted...and she started to tremble.  Water temp was ok, so it must be fear taking hold.  Out came the freeze-dried treats, phew! but Dinah was still quivering.  At last it was time to dry off.  She wanted to jump out while soaking wet.  I got her back in to "squeegee" her with my hands...then got her into a towel.  I never did really wash much of her head as I was concerned about her eyes.  She looked wonderful all soaking wet.  Rather like the faux topiary spaniel I have.  Thin and elegant.  Definitely got the poodle going for her. It seemed like her coat was rougher, and I found it grabbing the brush.  No hope in you know what to brush out the under leg areas---under ears as well...but we had prepared by "playing brush" where she objects to the one touching her brushing on one side when the other side gets in there for a quick brush.  She loves this game (thank you, Lord).  Since she hasn't had a bath since her 8 week puppy go-home bath, this was like a first time for her and me.  All's well that ends well. grin>>  I would have given anything to have a photo of her soaking wet as a 4 mo. old.  Next time I might have someone standing by to take one.

While I'm writing, I want to revisit why it's not good to use human conditioners.  All the while I brushed I was thinking--if I could only use a little bit of my L'Oréal diluted.  So why is it a terrible thing?  I can understand some of the types that I've used over the years not being ok, but I get a real silky result from the tube that comes in the hair dye. 

btw, in reading so many of the different emails about giving baths, I want to thank the person who mentioned that kitty cookies caused diahrrea. Sometimes her stools are softer, and that explains it. She is always on the alert for kitty and squirrel poop.

Next time I might allow the groomer to do the whole magilla, bath, blow dry, comb out and clip.  I've been having tiny things done every week to get her used to the grooming clippers.  As always, she was really a sweetie. I just hate to have her be afraid.  The groomer told me that was the secrete...they could get more done because the dogs were intimidated by having to use a stand etc.

My sincere thanks to all those who contributed encouragement and knowledge to this discussion.  I hope my scenario will allow other newbies still another a way to mentally prepare for their first time.  I look forward to some tips on how to shower with a Dood.  I might give that a try sometime.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Hi C - congrats on your first grooming try.  just saw your Jan 20 post.  Did you brush her out completely (so you can run a steel comb through her hair) before bathing?  IMO it makes the whole process go easier.  I think you will find every time gets easier.

[DonMarie and Picco]

Yeah! I think it's a great bonding experience!

I don't think human products will harm but the pH levels aren't the same. I am very happy with Ikara Comfort shampoo and Nurture conditioner.  Picco is silky soft, much less itching, and the condition really cuts down on matting. 

Did you brush her when wet? If the hair is wet it can stretch and break easily. I wait till partially dry then lightly brush or comb to separate the hairs for quicker drying.  We heat up some towels in the dryer and wrap up Picco to keep him warm and helps the hair to dry quicker - just don't use hot towels against the skin!  You can try a towel against the skin then layer a heated one on top.

[Tiffany Golden]

Hi all! I'm a new doodle mommy to a baby girl who's 11 weeks:) I'd love to do some "maintenance" grooming in between pro grooming and would love to know what to buy? i.e. special scissors for eyes, clippers, etc. TIA!!