Dog hair can quickly become the bane of any owner's existence. Let's be honest, it can get absolutely everywhere: on the sofa, your carpet, even your pillow. And while a select few of you might like the odd tickle on your face as you go to sleep, most of you probably do not. The longer their hair, the more likely it is to be covered in mud, dirt and other grime that dogs love to accumulate. Plus, your dog might dig a shorter style. So if excess hair is driving you positively potty, you might want to be doing something about it. While there are doggy hairdressers who will do the job for you, why not save your pennies and become a top trimmer yourself? Here's what you need to know about how to give a dog a hair cut!
A craftsman needs their tools
Of course, you'll need haircutting tools if you're going to give a dog a haircut. Thankfully, you can use much the same sorts of tools as you'd use on human hair, so you may already have some of these lying around. A good pair of scissors is, of course, important. You'll also need hair clippers, a brush, and a towel for your furry friend to sit on. Next, you'll want to get your dog in the mood, so to speak.
Relaxation Station
A calm pet is a still pet. Heed these words, they'll help make this process as painless as possible. Tire your dog out with a long walk before you sit them down for a trim. With any luck, they won't be full of beans and will be much more receptive to sitting still
Start Young
The younger your dog is when you start cutting their hair, the easier it will become over the years. While a puppy can be a handful at the best of times, they're much easier to teach. Therefore, convincing them to sit still with plenty of praise and treats will make them more obedient when it comes time to get their hair cut.
Brush them often
Brushing their often, just like ours, will help to remove mats and tangles, making it much easier to give your dog a haircut! The type of brush you use will depend on the hair type your dog has.
- Long hair - pin brush
- Average hair - soft-bristled brush
- Short hair - metal comb
Give them a good scrub
It's best to clean them up before a cut. Make sure you wipe away any tear stains and other types of dirt that will get in the way of your scissors. Carefully clean the area around their eyes, the outside of their ears, and around their mouth.
And a brush, too
Get the aforementioned towel out; we're going to use it to catch most of the hair you cut off. Put your dog on top of it, ideally on a flat surface like a table or a hard floor. Then, brush out as many tangles and mats as possible, gently as you go. Don't worry about particularly bad areas, we can get rid of them in a sec.
It's clipping time
For dogs with longer hair, part it into smaller sections and tie them up. It will help you make a more even cut. Then, get the clippers and start by clipping off those pesk mats. When they're gone, make sure hair all over the face is clipped at the same level. For a better cut, clip along the hair rather than against the grain. If the clippers start heating up, let them cool off.
For the body, start along your dog's back, from the shoulders down to the tail. Take your time, this isn't a race! When you're happy with the length, work down to the front of their torso. Even as you go. Then, when you're on to the legs, start at the shoulder and carefully work down to their paws.
Then, get your scissors
For the more sensitive areas around the eyes, nose and mouth, it's best to use a pair of scissors as they're more precise and less dangerous. With patience, carefully trim around their eyes so they can see! Then, work your way down to the muzzle flap. When that's done, finish around their nose. Cut as close as possible.
Give them a good shampoo
Finally, wash all that hair off with Animgo's Grooming Shampoo. Its all-natural blend of oils and aloe vera will help you get all the excess hair off and protect their coat too.
Now you know how to give a dog a haircut! Congratulations. You're one step away from opening your own salon. Or, at least, confidently cutting your dog's hair.
