Really considering being a "self groomer"

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

Alright self groomers, after the second grooming appointment where I go home and touch up the face, I think I'm gonna take the plunge. I already clip her toenails, and face as needed between appointments and last night while sitting on the floor cleaning up her face I realized I'm just as qualified as any groomer to clip my dog! So tell me, how should I go about this? Do I really need to blow dry her? Or as long as she's dry is that enough? I grew up on a ranch and have a history of livestock shows. I've clipped lambs and cattle, so I feel like I have somewhat of an idea of how to get the look I want. I'm actually thinking of going home and getting a lamb grooming stand to use for her, does this sound okay? Any recommendations on a clipper set? I'm looking at the andis 2 speed professional and the stainless steel guard set which is running about $180 on amazon. I'm a little hesitant to go ahead with this purchase because I haven't used any clippers on her (my dad's cattle and lamb ones would be giant on her!) any recommendations are WELCOME!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

You can really use any surface to put them on that works for you.  I think the key is just getting them up and off the floor so they are a little better behaved.  That being said, having a regular grooming  table I think does make it easier height wise.  I personally have an electric table that I can raise and lower to get to the areas that I need to be working on without killing my back.  However, I'm not 20 anymore and the back doesn't like being abused.  I use the Andis Ultra Edge 2 speed as well.  I originally used a set of A5 Oster professional clippers that were over 20 years old when I started and loved them.  But, I dropped them and they broke.  I use the regular plastic combs now but am getting ready to purchase the stainless steel combs.  I also just bought a dryer this week-end.  Normally I groom first and then wash and dry.  But I think that is backwards of most people.  I like to be able to wash afterwards because it gets all the hair off of them and it doesn't get all over the house.  Key is to just be really mat free.  I usually let mine air dry but wanted the dryer for winter time.  

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

I have the 2speed Andis trimmer and Wahl comb set that I have used on his belly and between the pads of his feet. I scissor trimmed him today all over with thinning shears. It was very easy to do. I bought a thin piece of wood at Lowes and attach an arm to it and place it on my washer and dryer. When not in use it just sits beside my washer. It was an inexpensive option for me, but Yogi is a mini, at 34#'s. I also use the thinning shears on the top of his head.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Here's my "grooming table"

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Yes, Yogi holds still (for the most part) for me. He does sit a lot and I have to give a stand command, then stay to get him to stand for me with certain grooming. I've found as we have moved up the grooming ladder that frequent treats given for new experiences have really helped. I just introduce each new step slowly, like the hair dryer, clipping, brushing, etc. He has grown very tolerant of me. ;-)

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Yogi looks adorable standing on his grooming 'table'. Nice inexpensive solution. I have a question, though. How do you groom his other side? Reposition the arm to the opposite side? That's one thing I really like about a free standing grooming table, being able to walk around it to do grooming on all sides. Plus, its easy to sweep up the hair after a cut.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Debb, actually what I do is just turn him around. I really haven't needed the arm. He just stands there. I would prefer a grooming table but since we intend to travel extensively soon, I didn't want to invest in something that I would have to get rid of.

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

I think my kitchen island would work for this! :) thank you for the picture. Yogi is just the cutest thing!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I used the kitchen island before I got my grooming table.  Works great because you can get all the way around it.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Welcome!

[Christina and Timber]

Yogi looks so cute! What a great solution! Where did the arm and head loop come from? I have a mini, and this could work for me!

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Christina, it came from amazon.

[Lynda Kamrath]

All right!  You will be glad you took the plunge.   Our doodles (and poodles) never went to a groomer.  We have always groomed them ever since my husband got a standard poodle and it costs $80 to get them groomed.  So we both began grooming and it has been very rewarding.  I also did not like them being put into a cage with a blower drying them and no potty breaks.  We actually spend several days doing a total groom, not because of the dogs, but because of us.  It is hard to stand that long and it takes several hours for a total groom.  We use a clippers for the face, belly, and feet and scissors cut the rest of the body.  My husband does the face and feet first and then I give a rough cut on the rest of the body.  Then they have a bath, are blown dry with a big industrial type blower, and then the final cut.  My husband is an artist and very meticulous with their final cut.  Big things to remember are to make a nice round look to the face with the ears trimmed short and no pompom on their head.  Tails are usually left long.  Find a look you like, make some copies of the look you want and go for it.  It is a wonderful thing for you and your dog.

The grooming stand looks fine but we just use the work bench in our garage and the counters in the laundry room.  I requested a dog grooming area when my husband built our new laundry room and garage and he put in double sinks and counters.  Our big doodles needed the double sinks and would stand with front feet in one and back feet in the other.  We also taught our big dogs to walk up a ramp and get into the sink.  Our largest doodle was 105 pounds and did not like to be lifted.  We have a water heater and sprayer for the dogs.   If you have not yet discovered it, shammies work great for drying them.  Try different types of clippers, scissors, and brushes until you get what works well for you.  We also have mat cutters and you need to learn how to use them correctly.  Good luck and enjoy forming this special bond.