Grooming

I just called a groomer to see if I could get Willow and Leighla in for a professional grooming in mid-March.  Guess what,  she's booked until the end of May and is not taking new clients. 
I usually keep them maintained myself but I just wanted them professionally done for some photos for our website.  If you haven't had a dog groomed before,  it's going to cost (in our area at least)  65.00 plus tip. This is well worth the money but Im not inclined to have 2 dogs who roll in the mud, run through burr invested fields and eat cow shit groomed on a regular basis!!
So,  what do you do???   
START DOING IT YOURSELF WHEN YOUR DOG IS YOUNG!!!!
There are so many small things that you can do throughout the week to make sure that your doodle doesnt end up looking like Chewbacca! 
​Get some supplies and start!
You can get these things anywhere!
Nail clipper, small electric clippers, scissors, shampoo and conditioner, leave in conditioner or matt detangler.  From your vet, get some ear cleaning solution.   
Then........just start playing with your dog.  Get them used to having their feet touched and nails clipped. Trim the little hairs out of their ears, clean the inner ear with the solution from the vet.  Use a scissors to trim any tangles or hair around their muzzle. When they start looking shaggy,  use the clippers or scissors to give them an overall trim. It's OK if they dont look perfect.  The idea is to keep them from getting matted and gets them used to grooming. Your dog loves attention,  this is just productive attention!!

See the little hairs in front of this dudes eyes?
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE  keep these little hairs trimmed away
so he's not constantly looking through that hair. 
Give the little dude some clear vision! 
​Using a small beard clippers,  you can not only keep your little one's vision clear but really do a great job of keeping his inner ears clean and also.........TRAINING!!
​Yes,  yet another opportunity for training for the big day when he does go to a groomer or vet. 

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This is our beloved Hank.  As you can see,  I repurposed a goat rack for doing our dog grooming,  and look at his smile!!!   He loved it--NOT.   

Then there are times when all you can do is seek professional help!! 

​​So whether you are going to have your dog groomed once a month,  once a season or once a year is totally up to you. 
I recommend doing some work at home no matter what your grooming schedule is. 

You need your dog to be used to being poked and prodded.  This is just another great way to ensure that you have a well adjusted pet that you can trust with anything!! ----or anyone!!



Peace Out!!
​Sherry 

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