Anyone who has an animal at home, especially one with long hair, knows how difficult it is to keep it looking beautiful.
It’s not enough to bathe and brush him.
Just as people’s hair needs more than cleaning and brushing, but periodic cuts, your pet needs it too.
One way out is to groom your dog at home.
Shearing cannot be done anyway, or you will ‘cripple’ your pet’s fur, and it will take months for it to get right again.
We’ll give you some tips on how to shave your dog’s hair at home.
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Have the right materials at home
To groom your dog at home, you need to have all the necessary equipment, not just taking scissors and cutting.
The equipment will depend on the coat, whether shorter or longer, whether the coat is soft or hard, curlier or straighter.
The machines are used for dogs with longer coats, and the scissors are used more to get the grooming right.
Remember that the scissors must also be suitable so as not to hurt your dog.
The ideal is to consult a professional to be sure of the correct materials to purchase.
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Walk your dog before grooming
This tip is essential, as after the ride he will be more relaxed and the likelihood of him getting agitated during the process is lower, thus preventing him from getting hurt.
Give your dog a bath: a good bath after the walk will help your dog relax more for the grooming procedure, and clean hair is easier to handle.
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Brushing
Before you start grooming your dog at home, brush your dog’s hair to remove any possible knots.
Take advantage of this moment to check that there are no allergies, injuries, fleas and ticks.
If there is, before starting the grooming, consult a veterinarian.
Avoid sudden movements when brushing to avoid scaring your pet and hurting him as well.
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Using the machine
Cutting with a machine is not recommended for the dog’s face, but only the head and body.
First shave the dog’s head and then the body.
The movement should always be from top to bottom and never the other way around.
Cleaning the machine’s blades is also essential to ensure it is always in good condition for use.
Use a brush to remove any hair that may be there.
Sterilization must be done with hot water, never alcohol.
See: How to clean your dog’s ears
Machine blade types
The blade to be used when grooming your dog at home is also essential.
This is because each type of hair must be treated differently for the shear to be correct.
In dogs with hard hair, the ideal is a 2.5 blade that will cut at a height of, more or less, 2.8 mm.
Dense and curly hair, like poodles, requires a different blade, such as the 4 and 4F, which will cut at a height of approximately 9mm.
For domestic cutting, the ideal is a 7 blade that will cut around 3.2mm.
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Using scissors
Take special care when using scissors, as they must be used to trim the hair on the face and the animal may move and get hurt.
Remember, never purchase high-end scissors and be very careful when trimming near the eyes, muzzle and ears to avoid seriously (or even slightly) hurting your friend.
The ideal is to just remove the excess hair that could obstruct the dog’s vision and add that final touch to the rest to keep it balanced.
On the paws, it is also ideal to use scissors to adjust the shape, if the fur is dense.
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Always try to stimulate your dog with snacks so that he associates grooming with something positive.
Some dogs don’t like being handled and become aggressive when bathing or grooming.
You need to be patient and get used to the procedure.
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Is grooming your dog at home a good option?
A grooming at the pet shop can be expensive, and if your dog has long hair, the grooming has to take place in shorter periods so that it always looks beautiful.
Therefore, grooming your dog at home may be the best solution, especially for your budget.
Start slowly, with baths at home and brushing your fur.
Then, see how he reacts when you use scissors close to his face to trim the hair that obstructs his vision and so on, until you can do the entire procedure with him relaxed.
If you have doubts or don’t have much skill, it’s best to take your dog to a good pet shop, where there are professionals who will leave your pet with beautiful fur.
If applicable, take a bathing and grooming course.
This is also a great option for those who want to groom their dog at home, as they will learn all the techniques and how to use the equipment.
If you notice that your dog really doesn’t like being groomed at home, don’t force it.
Some allow strangers to manipulate them, but at home they become real little monsters.
If this is the case with your pet, it is best to have periodic grooming done at a pet shop you trust so that your dog does not become stressed.
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