Dog Grooming Hints

Grooming your toy poodle

A poodle is very intelligent with a proud look and loving personality. They were one of my favourite dogs to groom at the shop and one of my favourite pets. They are quick to learn and easy to get use to the requirements we bring upon them for a certain look. They are eager to please you and love the attention brought upon them at grooming time.

I worked with a local shelter and on one of my visits there sat this little toy poodle with sad eyes. They said that if they did not find a home for her soon they were going to put her down. She was older and belonged to a lady that had been put in a nursery home. She came home with me. Pepper (because of the grey hair in her black fur) was a very loving companion, but she had some bad experiences with grooming and hated her paws to be touched. It is an obstacle with older dogs, but they can overcome the fear with loving attention and making groom time less stressful.

Poodles need to be brushed with a slick and pin brush daily to keep the fur matt-free and clean. The ears should be checked for cleanliness and dryness regularly to reduce problems with infection. They barely shed at all, but their skin is sensitive and needs special attention when older to stay moist and healthy. Nails should be kept trim and clipping done regularly.

Clipping should be done every six weeks. Professional grooming is best for the attention needed, but if you would like to work with them yourselves the easiest cut is the puppy clip.

Get a quality set of clippers, as the curls in their coats can be tight and catch in the teeth of the blade. Brush out the coat for a smooth and matt-free finish before using the clippers. Get a #10 blade to trim between the pads and the entire foot. This blade should also be used on the stomach, around the anus, and about an inch up the tail for a puffy ball to be formed. On the nose and around the face to just over their eyes is also the #10 blade.

On the body use a #5F blade to clip over the entire body except tail and ears. Start from the base of the tail and work up to the head slowly, then down the sides and legs. This will give an even coat that is easy to manage.

Trim around the ears with a good set of scissors. Hold the ear between your first two fingers and follow the line of the ear for even hair to that shape. Around the head shape into a bowl-like ball and at the feet for even skirt around the paws. Brush the tail to the tip and hold between your finger to trim evenly, then at the base of the tail shake it a bit to fluffy it out. Trim around the fluff to a ball-like sphere on the end.

Bathing should be done after the grooming. Bath once a week with a quality shampoo; when they become older use a good oatmeal brand for their skin’s care as well. Use a dryer and brush as you are to get a nice fluff to the coat. If you have just given a clip, check after the drying for any faults in the trim and use scissors to clean it up.

Poodles have enjoyed a long tenure as one of America’s most popular dogs. The name is most likely derived from the German word “pudel” which alludes to their origins as water dogs bred for hunting. And boy, can most poodles swim a great lap around the kiddie pool in the summer! The miniature breed was perfected in France, primarily as a companion animal. And a more agreeable companion than a poodle would be hard to find.

Nearly everyone has heard of the hypoallergenic qualities of a poodle’s coat. Simply put, the single coat of a poodle functions more like human hair than fur, and therefore does not cause an allergic reaction in humans like other dog’s fur. The poodle coat also never falls out, eliminating the constant layer of hair on clothing, carpets, and small children who have not yet learned to walk upright. Poodles require regular haircuts, either from the neighborhood groomer or through the careful application of a clipper set purchased at your local pet supply store, like Petco. Trust me, clipping you own dog is a wonderful bonding experience, even if the first few trims look like you used the hedge clippers. There is a reason that poodles reqularly do well in the National Dog Shows; who can resist such excellent haircuts on those doggie divas?

If high fashion haircuts are not your style, just ask your groomer for a regular puppy cut. It simply trims the hair to a uniform length, and leaves a little fluffyiness on his ears and head. The tail poof is optional. Cuts in most cities costs around twenty to forty dollars, which is a small price to pay for the freedom from lint brushes and vacuum cleaners that most other breeds require.

These dogs come in a number of sizes, and can be chosen to reflect an owners lifestyle and activity level. My miniature poodle is a dynamo, he jogs regularly with me and can tolerate several miles of activity. If you don’t wish to exercise strenuously, perhaps the toy poodle, or it’s tiny cousin the teacup poodle, would be the right size. These tiny dogs, averaging less than 7 pounds, would be perfect for the occasional stroll around the block.

A standard poodle, with it’s adventuous spirit, would be an excellent companion for the outdoorsey, hiking type. With energy to spare, this dog could handle biking, hiking, running or similar types of activities. A close cropped cut would even eliminate the collecting of brambles, sticks, and other detritus that the longer haired breeds collect on the trail.

All poodles share a lively intelligence, and an ability to provide companionship to the entire family. Poodles are certainly crowd pleasers, and my groomer informs me that most poodles generally perform a variant of the “poodle dance.” They rise on their hind legs, and frantically wave their fromt paws in a rapid, up and down motion when they want you attention. Perhaps that’s why they are so easily trained as circus performers.

Poodles love human companionship, and will generally leap up and fill any lap that presents itself. They also make fierce protectors, even though a 7 pound guardian may be hard to take seriously. Poodles temperment requires them to investigate strange noises and people. Well trained poodles should cease their investigation upon the owner’s command. There simply is no drawback to owning a poodle.

Even president Obama has been photographed holding a small white poodle as part of an awareness campaign for the SPCA. If he chooses wisely, next puppy in the White House will be a one of America’s most popular dog breeds, the poodle. Perhaps you should consider on for you family as well!

Dog grooming was all the rave during the 19th Century and the Poodle was the most popular breed of dog pampered and groomed. The first recorded grooming parlors were founded in France and the Poodle became the national dog of France under the First Republic. Due to its popularity, the breed soon became known as the French Poodle and not very long after, became the most popular breed in North America.

Pet grooming has faced many changes throughout the years as many more individuals “humanize” their four-legged companions. There are five fundamentals of dog grooming for any breed that make up the basic procedure. These are only the basics of grooming.

-Brushing/Combing

-Bathing

-Blow Drying

-Ear Cleaning

-Nail Trimming

To groom the Poodle, the groomer will need some basic tools before starting. A groomer should have all tools available before starting the grooming process.

-Brush

-Dog shampoo

-Sponge

-Heavy Towel

-Pet Dryer

-Cotton Balls

-Nail Trimmers

-Clippers (only needed if clipping of the hair will be done)

-Scissors

A universal brush is normally the only brush a groomer will need. This brush can be used on tangled or matted coats or a slicker brush can be used for delicate coats. A mat comb can be utilized if the coat is badly matted. For extreme matting, the coat may need to be fully shaven before bathing. After the coat is thoroughly tamed, the poodle is ready for a professional bath.

The ideal water temperature is approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit. A spray hose connected to a faucet will make this task much simpler. Start with the hindquarters and completely wet the Poodle. The excess water should not be left in the tub and should flow down the drain. The Poodle is actually getting a “shower” rather than a bath. In case the dog decides to do the “shake”, a plastic apron will be very handy in keeping the groomer from being soaked during this process.

After the Poodle is soaked, place shampoo on the sponge and on the Poodle, from rear to front. Keep shampoo clear of the eyes even if the shampoo claims to be tearless. Work the shampoo into the coat not forgetting any areas including the bottoms of the feet. Rinse the shampoo thoroughly, letting the water rinse until it runs clear from the coat. If the Poodle was heavily soiled, the dog may need two washings. The coat of the Poodle has a naturally harsh, dense texture. A cream rinse is not recommended for this type of coat.

Squeeze excess water