What are some tips on grooming a poodle?

-- DON’T CUT YOUR DOG – JUST CUT HIS HAIR – When trimming your dog it is very important not to injure your dog. Cut lightly with the scissors. When the hair is matted, you must be extra careful – use your fingers to feel where the skin is and use your eyes.

-- DON’T BURN YOUR DOG WITH THE CLIPPERS – When using clippers, the blades can get hot. Keeping a plastic clipper guide attached and/or periodically feeling the blades can help prevent burns

-- GET THE DOG USED TO YOUR TOUCH – This is easy, because you like to pet your dog. While you are petting them, get them used to your touch on parts of their body where they might not normally like to be touched. - their snout, face, feet, tail, ears, and personal parts. Get the dog so they don’t mind if you hold their snout closed and steady.

-- TRIM THE DOG WHERE IT IS CONVENIENT AND COMFORTABLE FOR BOTH OF YOU – I often put an old sheet over our sofa and trim my dog as she lounges. If she is on her back, I give her a belly rub and then trim her belly before trimming the rest of her. When done, I take her outside and have her shake – then I and brush her. Finally, I shake out the sheet. At other times, we both sit on the ground outside and I trim her. Some people prefer to use a pet grooming table when grooming their poodle - here is some information and links to pet grooming tables (we will get a small commission if you purchase here) .

-- YOU DON’T HAVE TO TRIM THE ENTIRE DOG AT ONE TIME -- You can trim part of the dog one day and trim another part another day or another week. I often trim the face, legs, and head one week and the body, tail, and bottom another