facial hair and eye boogers

[Doodle Grooming]

Hello Everyone!

Gia is almost 13 weeks and she is ALL puppy. I have been trying to comb and brush her a little each day to get used to grooming, but she only tolerates it for so long. 

The problem that we are running into, is that she has really long hair (IMO) for a pup her age, and the hair nearest her eyes seems to obstruct her vision some and her eyes are always gross! I have been washing her eyes each evening with a warm cloth, but a couple of times, I have had to take a baby comb and brush the eye gunk out. 

Should I take her to a groomer now, even though she hasn't been to her puppy classes yet? I don't want to put her in a position where she gets nervous and then hates grooming for life, but I don't know if I am confident enough to do anything with scissors around her eyes. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

Thank you so much!

Amber

[Karina, Wass and Floyd]

We were able to take Floyd to the groomers after his 3rd shot. They didn't require the rabies shot. Every groomer will be a little different but I would agree that you should wait on the groomers until then. I agree that you can totally do the cutting yourself. I was apprehensive at first too so the first time I cut by Floyd's eyes he was deep asleep. Make sure that you cut with the tip pointing down just in case. You are doing well with breaking Gia into grooming with a little each day. They only tolerate so long. It's different at the groomers because they have all the proper equipment and grooming tables. The most important thing is to get her used to being handled, brushed, combed and having her feet and nails touched. Keep doing what you are doing!

We were actually able to get Floyd in an early puppy kindergarten class and he started that at 9 weeks. We were in an inside facility that was sterilized for all the puppies and it was a big help! If this isn't an option, which sounds like it's not, see if there is anyone with a puppy the same age as her for socialization with other dogs and maybe you can have different people you know come to visit and handle her the way a groomer would to help her become comfortable with other people handling her.

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

I start trimming hair at the eyes at 3 weeks if necessary. Many of my pups have had 3 eye trims by the time they move to their new homes at 9 weeks. Get a pair of small scissor with the rounded tips or take her to a groomer. If you can, call the mobile groomer in your area and see if they will show you how to trim the face in your home. Or maybe you can find a groomer who has a business in her home and get your puppy's face trimmed there.
IMO it is very important to keep hair out of their eyes.

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

This puppy had his first eye trim at 3 weeks.

[Sharon & Monty]

In the early days I was afraid to trim the hair around Monty's eyes. We had blunt end scissors and goggles! We have to trim him on a regular basis and he has learned to "hold still" while we trim.

[Tammara and Bailey's Page]

Hi Amber, I have the same issue with Bailey, I just let the gunk dry and then clean it off with a warm wash cloth or my clean fingers. I have not tried to trim around her eyes yet. I need to get a pair of blunt scissors. She is still squirmy and I don't want to poke her. Let me know how you do.
Tammy

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Tara was wild about having her face trimmed when she was young and we used to wait until she was asleep to trim her. We used blunt end scissors. Later we taught her the "face" command (we could have done this sooner if we had thought of it!!). We started by holding her face for a second while saying the word "face" and then treat. Slowly we extended the holding time and she received a treat if she held still. Now when when we say "face" she holds very still, closes her eyes and we can hold her face and trim it or remove leaves or whatever she may have stuck to it (seems like there is always SOMETHING! LOL!) This has worked well for us.

[M Kozo]

Hi Ricki, Thanks for the "face" tip -- I plan to start teaching that with our next face trim.
Elle is just over 7 months so I am reading a whole lot about grooming these days.

[Deanna Marsh]

I bought blunt end scissors and use those around my dog's eyes. I hold her collar under her chin and say hold still, very carefully trim. She doesn't like it and sometimes moves a bit, but I've never had a problem. You can find curved, blunt end scissors at PetSmart I believe. I usually just pull her eye boogers out with my fingers, they come out really easily. I used to use a cloth, but it didn't work as well, took forever to soften, but maybe your baby comb works well for you. Good luck with your little puppy!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

If Gia is a squirmy little girl, try trimming the hair when she is sleeping or very tired. You don't want to get near a happy, excited puppy who needs to play or exercise. It is amazing what you can do to them when they are sleeping!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Wooo Hooo!! Way to go Amber!!!! Nice work!!!:)

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Hey, we need a photo of all of our good work!! ha ha Group effort for sure!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Sleeping Doodles make great photos. Though we would love to see her eyes open!