Has anyone learnt to groom their own dog?

[CharlesPetrescu]

Hi. I have just found out that my regular dog groomer is closing her business. Has anyone successfully tried to learn to groom their own dog? My dog is double coated and quite small BTW.

I do. But my breed is handstripped rather than clipped. I’m not sure I would be brave enough to use clippers. There is a breed specific group on FB about grooming my breed.

I do, she's only a little terrier but very curly. I use men's hair clippers. She's not massively impressed but she lets me!

Our local agricultural college does dog grooming introduction days for dog owners. You could look to see if yours does similar?

Thanks all for your replies and tips . I will look at Facebook to see if there is a page for grooming my dog's breed. I will also check if there are grooming induction days at the local agricultural college.

I tried during Covid.
Poor boy looked like he had mange.
He had long buts, short bits and baldy bits.
He's a very tolerant boy, who is off to see the sainted Ella this afternoon.

I fear that is what would happen if I tried to groom my own dog myself 😂

Sorry, I meant that reply to MyDogisagentleman!

Yes I did, I groomed my hairless Chinese crested and always did a better job with a pony cut than any “professional” groomer around me. My sister had two powder puffs and she shaves them into a fuss free buzz cut every 2-3 weeks through the spring and summer and lets it grow out from the end of September. Saves her £900 a year!

I have two miniature poodles. I knew I wanted to look after them myself and not have to take them to a groomer every few weeks so before getting the first one I joined grooming Facebook groups, watched lots of videos, invested in a decent set of clippers and now five years on I happily clip both of them every 4 or 5 weeks. They aren’t as perfect as a professional groomer, but they look absolutely fine for pet dogs, I can style them exactly how I want, and I’ve saved a fortune in grooming fees! Plus I can just do them when needed, I don’t have to plan around a groomer’s schedule. I’d recommend getting decent clippers (I have Heiniger Opals, they are brilliant), they pay for themselves very quickly compared to the cost of going to a groomer, and cheap ones simply don’t work as well.

Yep, I did though I can't say it was to any particular standard of grooming!

My late dog always hated the groomers and was so stressed out about it, which in turn made me stress and fret. When lockdown first started I bought two sets of grooming clippers, electric nail files etc. I'd take one end any DH would take the other and we'd meet in the middle. Got it down to 30 mins between us over time. (Did bath the day before so he was nice and dry).

Ok, the end result might not have been show standard but ddog didn't mind!! 😁

I should add, my Bedlington looked embarrassed by my attempts

I groom my spaniels. I invested in a decent pair of clippers many years ago and shave them as and when they need it. They have licky mats to occupy them while I do it.
My reactive boy would only tolerate so much, so he often took two or three days to complete. But who cares? He's was a dog - he didn't care what he looked like.

My dad used to do our airedale. The poor boy got so hot so needed the bear fluff off him but dad took it to extremes and he looked like an absolute thug. In fairness my dad cut my hair till I was about 10 and he'd do the same to me.

I am paying someone to teach me as none of the local
groomers have experience with my breeds ( and it shows) maybe your groomer would be willing to show you?

Yes, it really is worth it.

I got some Oster clippers when I was a young teen (over 30 years ago) and completely taught myself long before the days of YouTube. I now groom a few pet dogs for other people but mainly my own and others show dogs, clipping and hand stripping. Honestly, it really is possible to teach yourself basic clipping. My 14 year old daughter has taught herself how to groom/show clip her poodle for the show ring.

I bought a £30 set of clippers from Amazon in lockdown and never looked back! 6 or 9mm all over (Patterdale) he looks great and enjoys it too

I leave his legs mostly and his beard, the rest just gets a good going over and he is smooth and shiny after a bath 🛁

My DH had to learn to do our 2 dogs during COVID. He bought a grooming table and set of clippers and booked himself on to a day long course. Then a follow up further day long course. He makes a good job of doing them but he takes longer than a full time groomer. He does bath and general cut on day 1. Then legs and paws plus trim of claws on feet day 2 then face and ear clean day 3. He only does about 1-1.5 hour sessions so as not to stress dogs. He said it's not hard to learn. Our dogs are very docile and small/medium dogs. He said a large dog might be harder to groom.

I forgot to add we used to pay £75 per dog every 8-10 weeks so he's saved us loads of money.

Have a look at Courses – Girl With The Dogs https://share.google/jjUtmHUjVb4bbqNT3 Disclaimer. I just watch her Facebook channel for the cuteness

😂

Thank you. I will look into that.

Aww. He's gorgeous!

Goodness - yes that would be a big saving if the groomer charged £75 each time.

Yeah, it’s not rocket science. I cut the men’s hair during covid too. Just put the guards on the clippers if you’re worried and take it slow.
dog won’t complain if you do a bad job anyways.