My male is now 12 weeks old, he's not really ready for a haircut just yet, I do brush him everyday. But I want to groom him myself, anyone have any advice on what tools to buy, etc? Or any tips on how to groom a yorkie, how often it needs to be done, etc. Do I need to cut the hair on his ears?
Hi there..
I am a dog groomer by profession…
He may not need a haircut yet…DO IT ANYWAY…get him used to it!
To answer your questions in order…
1) Make sure you have a slicker brush for the coat and after he is brushed out, use a steel comb (fine toothed) to find the "hiding" mats…they will generally be behind the ears, under the chest, in the armpits and the inside of the legs, the groin and the butt where he sits
2) If you bathe him…MAKE SURE THE MATTS ARE OUT FIRST…they will dry into knots if you don't
3) If you decide you want to "clip him" with clippers, NOW is the time to buy a good pair…NOT a "Walmart" special..you need professional clippers for a good job…my personal preference in a make called "Andis" but "Oster" is very popular among groomers as well…GET HIM USED TO IT NOW…the later, the more resistance….HINT: The "lower" the number of the blade, the "longer" it leaves the hair….If you wish to grow it long and leave it that way, you only need a # 10 blade to clean up the armpits, between the eyes and around the butt and the groin….perhaps there is a local groomer who would show you how (for a fee) …although…I have to admit…we hate to give "lessons" that will take money out of our pockets…LOL…I do it for some clients but usually they have bought really cheap clippers and have let their dogs get matted so I get them anyway.
Do you need to cut the hair on the ears…it's a matter of personal preference. You need to make sure his ears hairs in the ear canal are plucked….Other than that, it's whatever you want!!! I have clients who want the ears shaved, others who don't.
Good luck…I have already given away more tips for free than I normally would…I must be in a good mood…LOL
Regards…
Tags: Yorkie
Hi there..
I am a dog groomer by profession…
He may not need a haircut yet…DO IT ANYWAY…get him used to it!
To answer your questions in order…
1) Make sure you have a slicker brush for the coat and after he is brushed out, use a steel comb (fine toothed) to find the "hiding" mats…they will generally be behind the ears, under the chest, in the armpits and the inside of the legs, the groin and the butt where he sits
2) If you bathe him…MAKE SURE THE MATTS ARE OUT FIRST…they will dry into knots if you don't
3) If you decide you want to "clip him" with clippers, NOW is the time to buy a good pair…NOT a "Walmart" special..you need professional clippers for a good job…my personal preference in a make called "Andis" but "Oster" is very popular among groomers as well…GET HIM USED TO IT NOW…the later, the more resistance….HINT: The "lower" the number of the blade, the "longer" it leaves the hair….If you wish to grow it long and leave it that way, you only need a # 10 blade to clean up the armpits, between the eyes and around the butt and the groin….perhaps there is a local groomer who would show you how (for a fee) …although…I have to admit…we hate to give "lessons" that will take money out of our pockets…LOL…I do it for some clients but usually they have bought really cheap clippers and have let their dogs get matted so I get them anyway.
Do you need to cut the hair on the ears…it's a matter of personal preference. You need to make sure his ears hairs in the ear canal are plucked….Other than that, it's whatever you want!!! I have clients who want the ears shaved, others who don't.
Good luck…I have already given away more tips for free than I normally would…I must be in a good mood…LOL
Regards…
References :
Groomer. owner 4 dogs, trainer, part time pet food store manager