How to cut hair for new puppy

[Yelena]

Hi everyone. I just brought Leo home on Saturday. He's very furry/shaggy, which I love. However, I noticed that the hair is covering up his eyes. And he has a lot of hair in his ears. What's the best way to cut it? Which specific tools (product names) do you use?  I'm so scared to hurt him but I don't want to wait until we take him to the groomer since that may be in a while (after all of his vaccines).  Is there a technique to cutting it? Like when he's sleepy or something. I don't want to use my manicure scissors since they're sharp and I would probably poke his eyes out. Our first vet appointment is on Thursday, should I just wait and ask the vet to do it? Is this something that a vet would do or would know how to? 

Thanks! 

[BG and Gavin]

Hi Yelena!  Leo is a real doll.  Here is a good discussion that should give you everything you need to know about trimming Leo's eyes.  http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/doodlegrooming/forum/topics/trimm...

[Cristiana Witkowski]

BruceGirl - boy oh boy this was exactly what I needed too!  Your link above with pictures was spot on.  I took my puppy bear to a very prominent animal pet store chain (not sure if we are supposed to mention stores names, etc. here), and they shaved my puppy's face down so close that his face looked white (like his skin), unlike the rest of his apricot colored body.  I was horrified and have vowed never to go there for grooming again.

I would absolutely love to be able to groom my puppy myself.  We currently do the bathing, blow drying, nails, some trimming between the paw pads, and get the crusties out.  Everything else I'm a little nervous about.  But more than anything, I want to get some confidence in trimming around the eyes, as Flynn's eyes are starting to get covered again.  My main question was about his long eyelashes - we trim those too?  But according to the link above, we just trim that with the hair, got it!  My only other question, for now at least:  does everyone get their dogs / puppies scissor cut?  That's the better way to go?  I've had multiple people ask me how we'd shave down our dog and to be quite honest I was thinking that he doesn't need to be shaved, I'd rather he's cut... I've heard the term "summer cut" - that does not entail shaving, correct?

 

Thanks again for this information and helping to make it dummy-proof.  This is EXACTLY what I joined this website.  I only hope I can be of help to someone else when it comes my turn to hand out advice :)

[BG and Gavin]

Gavin's groomer uses clippers to cut his body with a long comb (guard) and can leave his coat anywhere from 2-3 inches in the winter to 1- 3/4 inch in the summer.  His head she uses scissors on.  Shaved down is just a term for short cut when used here on DK.  No one would shave their doodle down to the skin as he would be left without sun protection.  It is great that you are doing bathing and nail trims yourself now.  Getting him used to this type of handling is invaluable.  p.s. it is okay to say PetSmart on the forum :)

[Lynne B]

get some blunt end scissors, you can probably get them in the baby department of Walmart or maybe blunt end pet scissors on ebay.  I just cover the eye with my hand and leave the fur that I need to trim exposed, I started doing annoying stuff like that when my dogs were young so they are used to be mauled (trimmed, bathed, nails clipped, etc)

[Lynda Kamrath]

I think it is a great idea to start with him early and cutting the hair above his eyes and pulling the hair in his ears is something you want him to get accustomed to asap.  Another thing is their feet.  You should always check the areas around his pads when you have been out walking, and trimming the hair between the pads is a good area to start.  You can scissors trim or use a clippers.  The more you handle him when he is young the better.  Just do a little bit at a time.  The vet would definitely know how to pull the hair in his ears and my vet always checks the ears when we go in.  They should be clean and dry.  You will impress him(her) if the ears are in good shape when you take him in.

[Yelena]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I've been brushing Leo every day and he does well with that. I'll go and buy some scissors this weekend and I was thinking about a nail grinder instead of clippers. But the vet did clip his nails yesterday and apparently he did well with that. They took him to another room to do it so I didn't see how they did it. The vet also told me not to bother trying to cut the hair on his paws or in his eyes since he said that this is dangerous and that he's had to suture a lot of puppies from owners doing that. He told me to wait for the groomer at about 12 weeks and for the groomer to show me the best way to do it. He said I should just continue handling Leo as much as possible so he gets used to being touched in his eyes, feet and ears. He also said that his ears are really clean and there's no reason to cut the hair out since this hurts the dog and isn't necessary yet. We're coming back in 2 weeks and he told me that I don't really need to cut anything until then.

[Sue & Lily Grace]

Leo is so very cute. I am keeping a watch on these answers so I can get tips for when I finally have my little one. Have fun with him.