Just like their parent breed, poodle mixes need to be groomed and trimmed regularly. According to experts, you should groom your doodle canines 1-3 times a week clip their hair every 6-8 weeks. Although professional groomers are the best possible alternative, they can be quite expensive for most owners. In this article, we will be discussing some simple and easy steps to groom a poodle mix.
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How to Groom a Poodle Mix?
Successful grooming of your dog at home is an extremely cost-effective option. Many people confuse trimming the hair with grooming, but they are two different things. Grooming has a broader domain that covers other things (like nail trimming and cleaning teeth) besides a haircut. Let’s see how you can groom your poodle mix by yourself and save your hard-earned cash.
Gather Necessary Tools and Supplies
Finding and purchasing the right materials is essential to give the desired look to your doodle. You need to consider every aspect of the grooming routine to ensure that all the required tools are available. Some of the things that you must have to groom a poodle mix are listed below.
- A professional grooming kit with different clippers
- Slicker and pin brushes
- De-matting comb
- Dog grooming scissors
- Dog shampoo and conditioner
- Towels and blow dryer
- Dog nail clippers
- Dog toothbrush and toothpaste
- A dog grooming table (optional)
Bathe Your Dog
Bathing is a very important part of grooming because it removes the dirt and dander from your pooch’s coat. It is also helpful for untangling mats that can lead to several skin problems.
- Before bathing your poodle mix, it’s imperative to brush their hair. You could either use a slicker (short) or pin brush (long) depending upon the length of your dog’s hair. In the case of matted fur, a de-matting comb is recommended.
- Once the brushing is complete, add some cotton balls to your doodle’s ears. This will prevent moisture from entering his/her ears because it can cause bacterial infections.
- Now, put your dog into the water and wash him/her with water. Make sure that the water reaches the skin.
- Then, apply some dog shampoo to your poodle mix to remove the debris. Don’t forget to rinse off the shampoo completely because it can lead to irritation and itchiness (if left behind).
- Lastly, apply the dog conditioner (for moisture) and rinse it off after a few minutes.
Dry Your Pooch
Now, it’s time to prepare your poodle mix for trimming and the first step should be to dry him/her out. It’s also important to prevent them from falling sick.
- Wrap your dog in a dry towel and let it absorb as much water as it can. Never rub your canine with the towel because it will produce mats and tangles.
- Remove the cotton balls from their ears.
- When the towel has absorbed sufficient water, unwrap your poodle mix and use a blow dryer to eliminate the remaining moisture. Keep brushing the hair while you are drying your dog.
Trim the Hair of Your Poodle Mix
This is the trickiest part of the entire grooming routine because the chances of making mistakes are quite high. Therefore, caution is advised.
- Find a non-slippery surface and make your dog stand on it.
- Once the pooch is in position, start trimming the hair on his/her face. Make sure to restrain your poodle mix to minimize the chances of nicks and cuts. You can also use scissors for a high degree of precision but only if you are experienced.
- After clipping the hair of the face, move down to the neck (and other parts of the body). Start by trimming the hair from the back of the neck to the tail. Always clip in the direction of the growth and use slow strokes to avoid harsh lines.
- Then, remove the hair from the shoulders, chest, belly, and top parts of the legs. It’s highly recommended to hold your dog from its underside. This will offer you more control and prevent the canine from moving.
- Similarly, ensure regular brushing while trimming to ensure a comfortable experience. If the hair are uneven in an area, comb against the direction of growth to smoothen them.
- After grooming the upper body of your poodle mix, clip the legs and tail. You should use a dog trimmer for this step if you are inexperienced. Otherwise, scissor-cutting is recommended to get an exquisite cut.
Brush the Teeth of Your Dog
Now, it’s time to take care of your poodle mix’s oral hygiene. Make sure that you have a dog toothbrush and toothpaste in your inventory for this phase.
- Start by giving your pup a taste of the toothpaste. It’s always better to let them get used to it before having a mouth full of toothpaste. If your canine friend doesn’t like the toothpaste, try another brand.
- If your poodle mix is comfortable with the toothpaste, apply a reasonable amount to the toothbrush.
- Lift your dog’s lips slightly and start brushing their teeth.
- Keep your motions gentle and comfortable as you don’t want to hurt your pooch by applying too much pressure.
- If your poodle mix doesn’t enjoy the feeling of his/her teeth being brushed, you can go for other alternatives, like dental chews.
Cut the Nails of Your Poodle Mix
A lot of people tend to ignore this vital aspect of canine grooming. Although dog nails don’t need to be trimmed very often, they should be kept at a reasonable length. Dog nail clippers come in 3 different styles (scissor, guillotine, and grinding) and you need to ensure you have the right one.
- Start the process by pushing the pads of your doodle’s paws. This will reveal the nails and make it easier to cut them.
- Place the clipper at an angle of 45 degrees and cut the nail down to 2 millimeters from the quick.
- It’s highly recommended to take your time because any mistake can be quite painful for your canine.
- Always hold your dog close to yourself to make him/her feel comfortable while you are trimming the nails.
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