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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.

Learn more about this author, Kellea Croft.
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