Is it ok to groom your dog yourself?

H

Heather S

New member
Hello,
So I have been wanting to get my lab/shepherd mix in to have him groomed and get a haircut.
My dog Jude is really great about being groomed and is very calm and still during the process.
Is it possible for me to just take some animal clippers to him and do it myself, or is there more to it than that.
Because if it's basically like using the clippers on my husbands hair than I should be good right?
Of course I understand the very sensitive areas to be careful around, but is it really necessary to take him to a groomer when I could do it myself, or is there really more to it than that?
Any thoughts, or tips on shaving him myself?
 
Yes many people groom their own dogs and they do just as good a job as many professional groomers.
My recommendations
Clip a clean mat free coat.
Use a long blade. Don't skin the dog. I would use a #7 or #5 oster blade.
Go with the grain of the hair.
Be patient as there is a learning curve.
Groom the dog on a table or bench for best results.
Keep in mind your first attempts may not look as good as your groomer's but with practice it can.
 
Conditioning my Dobermann for the show ring was easy. Zoom groom & coat wipes.

I did clip my Bedlington Terriers double coat, but not in the show clip. I would have had to learn how to clip the coat from either the breeder or attending a course.

No, you don't have to take your dog to a professional groomer, it is possible to learn how to groom a dog yourself.
 
Yes you can groom him yourself if you like too. Its up to you on your comfort level.

I myself have 2 shih tzu's and I thought it would be great to groom my dogs myself, but it was not as easy as I thought it would be. I unfortunately did a horrible job, and I vowed to myself and my pups to never take another set of clippers to them again. Their hair cuts were choppy and just plain out awful.

Since that experience, I have invested in a great groomers and take my dogs there every 2-3 months. I leave it to the professionals, cuz I was that bad!!! If you do decide to do it, just invest in a good training video to show you the ropes for your dog breed
 
It is totally fine to groom your dog yourself, but be aware that taking the dog to a professional will reduce your dog's chances of being harmed. Sometimes you can hurt your dog and not be aware of it. I would say take him to a grooming place because they have the expirance and proper tools.
 
Back
Top