Trimming hair around eyes

[Andrea, Belle and Honey]

My 4 month old puppy, Belle, has hair around her eyes that is now obscuring one eye completely. As you can see below, she looks really goofy, and I am afraid the overgrown hair will injure her eye.  I have tried to trim it with a small, blunt-edged scissor, but Belle won't stay still long enough for me to safely cut the hair.  I introduced her to the scissor gradually, with treats and without trying to cut, over the course of three weeks, with no success.  (Did I mention that Belle is more stubborn than any of my terriers ever were?)  Any suggestions for an alternate strategy would be greatly appreciated.  Or contact information for a good groomer in the Princeton, NJ or Newtown, PA area?

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

OMD! Belle is just adorable!! I had the same problem when Tara was young.  I found that if she had a lot of exercise and got really tired or if we took her for a car ride she would sleep soundly enough that I could trim around her eyes while she was sleeping. That worked long enough for me to get her acclimated to the scissors and I could do it while she was awake.

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

Sweet Belle! It might be a 2 person job initially... once person holds her and her snout while the other person trims (quickly! ). Lots of praise and treats afterwards. Or, if you have another upcoming Puppy Wellness visit at the vet's office, bring the scissors along with and have them show you how to hold her securely.  

[Wanda Klomp]

It's all about how you secure the head Andrea. I have an instruction video on www.fromscruffytolovely.com. Look under Doodle self grooming programs :-)

[Tanya and IsaBella]

These videos are free and awesome!  Your Belle is a cutie!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k18gW7ryA-I

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

What a helpful video, Tanya.  I am going to try that next time on Ned, except for the between the eyes shave. I think most doodle owners don't like between the eyes shaved.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Can someone help you with holding her while you trim?  It is what I do.

[Andrea, Belle and Honey]

Thanks everyone for responding to my hair trimming inquiry. I wish Belle slept deeply enough to allow me to cut a little hair, or clean her ears, or clip her nails, but she comes instantly awake if anyone even tiptoes near her, even after running like a wild thing at the small animal dog park.  I did have a friend try to hold her for me, but Belle is such a wiggle worm that my helper was afraid she would hurt the puppy by holding her too tightly. Now that I know it is not unusual to need a second person to hold a puppy for grooming, I'm going to call my vet's office tomorrow and see if one of the vet techs would hold her for me while I cut the hair around Belle's eyes, followed by lots of praise and treats.  

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Good luck! Remember, lots of practice and lots of patience! :) 

[Kathy and Sam]

She is so darn cute!  I cut around Sam's face and I think I ruined his looks.  (At least he can see now, though)  I chopped hair around his cheeks too.  He's cute even with my poor hair cutting skills.