Can’t take your dog to the groomer? Five Tips to Manage the Mane
With groomers closed as we attempt to stop the spread of the coronavirus, chances are heavy that your dog has an interesting hairdo. A mutt with a mullet? A beagle with a beard? A rat terrier channeling Rapunzel? Shaggy dogs are now the norm.
While it’s not imperative that your dog’s hair be pristine – heck, they’ve got nowhere to go! – many people groom their pets regularly to help control odor, slow down shedding, and keep the animal comfortable (especially as the weather warms).
So, now that you’re a reluctant recipient
of the clippers, what do you do?
First of all, if you can get away without a trim, do – plainly put, it’s safer that way. You may be able to control your dog’s crazy new look with a bath and a few rounds of vigorous brushing.
If you do need to give your dog a full haircut, there are a few steps you can take to make it go as smoothly as possible. So, as you breathe a deep breath and hope for the best, remember…
Buy the right equipment
You don’t want to trim your dog’s fur with the same instrument you use to give your son a buzz cut – you need equipment designed for pets. If you don’t have it already, you can purchase online. It might take a few days to arrive, but your dog’s probably not in any rush to get this party started.
Nicks happen
Yes, it sucks to hurt your dog – most of us find ourselves begging for forgiveness if we so much as trip over their tails. But nicks do happen – even professional groomers inadvertently cause injuries from time to time. Thus, forgive yourself – your pet will forgive you too.
Watch the edges
The edges of your dog (like in the ears or the armpits) are particularly prone to injury. And they can be tricky to cut, especially with a dog squirming in protest. Giving your pooch something to distract them, like a Kong, might help. So might forcing your spouse to serve as your assistant.
Flatten the blades
When you cut, keep the blades flat against your dog’s body. If you don’t do this, you might cut their skin instead of their fur. But, beware, the clipper blades heat up fast. Check them regularly to make sure they’re not getting hot enough to cause a burn. You can also use attachment combs to create some space between your dog’s skin and the blades.
Take Your Time
It’s tempting to want to go fast when grooming your dog – their penchant for protesting leads you to rush. But going too fast usually translates into making mistakes. If your dog is especially resistant, try to trim their fur in short bouts with a break in between. Or do their head one day and their body the next. The more you expose your dog to the clippers, the calmer they should become. In theory, anyway.
JJ Keeler lives in Colorado with a house full of pets. She owns three dogs, two cats, and a hamster she bought as a bribe to get her daughter to ride the school bus. She has a BA in English Literature from the University of Colorado and has worked as a professional writer for fifteen years. Her clothes are perpetually covered in pet hair.
