Grooming a dog is an important part of regular grooming that affects the overall health of the animal. Regular trimming helps to avoid many problems such as mange, skin irritation, infections and overheating in the warm season. In addition, properly trimmed fur allows the skin to breathe, supports thermoregulation and reduces the risk of skin diseases.
To properly cut a dog, it is important to take into account the characteristics of the breed, the structure of the coat and seasonal changes. For example, dogs with a thick undercoat need a different approach in summer and winter. In addition, without regular care of the coat, folds may appear, which press on the skin, cause pain and can become a source of infections.
Preparation for haircut
Choosing the right tools
Before you start grooming your dog, it’s important to choose the right tools. For professional care you will need:
Scissors
Use dog clippers with rounded ends for safety, and separate clippers for details — such as trimming the fur around the eyes and paws.
Clipper
It is important to choose a machine with interchangeable attachments in order to control the length of the wool. The machine should have a quiet motor so as not to scare the dog. Make sure the blades are well lubricated and do not overheat during use.
Combs and brushes
Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle before cutting to get rid of tangles. To finish, use soft brushes to polish the wool.
How to prepare a dog for a haircut
Preparing a dog for a haircut begins with bathing. Clean wool is easier to cut, and all problem areas are better visible. Use a special dog shampoo suitable for your pet’s coat type. If your dog’s coat is long or thick, don’t forget the conditioner – it will help untangle the hairs and make the combing process easier after washing.
After bathing, it is important to dry the dog thoroughly. Use a blow dryer on medium heat and keep the noise to a minimum so as not to frighten the animal. The wool must be completely dry before cutting, because wet wool can “stick” on the blades and be cut unevenly.
The next step is thorough combing. To do this, you should use combs with different teeth to completely detangle the fur, especially in areas prone to mats, such as behind the ears and on the paws. This is an important stage, because the swallows can damage the skin during the haircut or even cause pain.
Psychological training of the dog
In order for the haircut to go smoothly, it is necessary to prepare the dog psychologically in advance. If the dog is not yet used to the haircut or is afraid of the machine, start with short adaptation sessions. It is important that the dog associates the haircut with a positive experience.
Getting used to tools
Before you start clipping, also give the dog a chance to familiarize himself with the tools. Let her smell the scissors or the machine when it is turned off. Turn on the clipper close to the dog so it gets used to the noise, but don’t be in a hurry to start clipping right away.
Use treats
Encourage the dog with treats for calm behavior during the grooming. This will help create a positive associative series and make subsequent procedures easier. Treats should be small and easily digestible so that the dog does not overeat during the session.
Short sessions
If this is your first haircut or your dog is nervous, break the process into several steps. For example, one day you can trim the head and neck, the next – the body and paws. This will help to avoid stress and overtiredness in the animal.
A soothing voice and physical contact
While grooming, talk to the dog in a calm tone and pet him occasionally so that he feels your presence and support. This reduces anxiety and helps you focus on the process.
The main stages of cutting a dog
Start: cutting the head and neck
The beginning of a haircut is always the most responsible moment, so many professional groomers around the world recommend starting with the head and neck. Here the dog has the greatest sensitivity, and the fur often grows thicker, so it is important to do everything carefully.
Eyes and face
Start the haircut from the area around the eyes, using small scissors with blunt ends to avoid injury. For breeds with long hair near the eyes (such as the Shih Tzu or Maltese), it is important to leave enough hair to create a neat appearance while still maintaining a good view for the dog. Clean the area around the eyes from excess hair and be sure to remove dirt or tear marks that can cause irritation.
Ears
Next, we proceed to the haircut around the ears. Some breeds (such as cocker spaniels) can have long and heavy ear hair, so it’s important to trim it carefully on both sides. Always follow the rule: it is better to leave more than to cut too much, especially if the haircut is not for exhibition.
Neck
After that, we smoothly move to the neck, using a machine with a medium nozzle. Movements should be smooth, in the direction of hair growth. Do not press too hard so as not to irritate the skin. Often overlooked by clients, the neck is where fur can tangle most quickly, so careful grooming is important here.
Body haircut: important areas and techniques
After the head and neck, we move on to the body, which requires more time and attention, especially for long-haired breeds.
Back and sides
First of all, always cut the dog’s back and sides. For this area, a machine with a medium or long nozzle is best suited, depending on the desired length of the coat. It is important to cut along the hair growth to avoid unevenness. It is necessary to make smooth, long movements from the neck to the tail, so as not to leave traces of the machine. Clipping against the coat can create uneven results, so should be avoided if you are inexperienced.
Stomach
The dog’s body has another critically important area — the stomach. This part needs to be trimmed very carefully, especially if your dog has sensitive skin. For the abdomen, it is better to use a machine with a short nozzle or scissors to avoid injuries.
Breast
The chest is often a difficult area to reach due to the fact that dogs do not like to be disturbed in this part of the body. Here it is important to be calm and encourage the dog to cooperate. Always start cutting the dog from small areas and use scissors for details so as not to create unnecessary stress.
Paws and tail
Paws and tail are two of the most difficult areas to trim, so they require extra care and attention.
Paws
It is worth using small scissors for a detailed haircut between the pads of the paws. If the fur in this area is not trimmed, it can collect dirt and cause discomfort when walking. In addition, the fur between the pads can contribute to the dog sliding on smooth surfaces. Be sure to make sure that the paws are cut evenly, and pay attention to the condition of the claws – if they are too long, be sure to trim them.
Tail
Trimming the tail is always a responsible moment, because the tail is an important part of the expression of emotions in dogs. If your dog has a long tail with a bushy coat, trim in stages, removing only the excess length for a neat look. Always leave some fur at the tip of the tail to maintain its natural shape.
How to avoid mistakes during haircuts
Irregularities in the haircut
One of the most common mistakes is an uneven haircut, especially on the back and sides. This happens if you do not control the pressure on the machine or use different nozzles without smooth transitions between them. To avoid this mistake, we recommend making several passes with the machine on one area, without trying to cut everything at once.
Skin damage
Excessive pressure on the machine or the use of blunt scissors can injure the dog’s skin. Check that the blades of the clipper do not overheat, as this can cause burns. If you feel resistance from the wool, stop and lubricate the blades.
Wrong choice of tools
Using human scissors or clippers often produces poor results. Specialized tools for dogs have unique characteristics that help preserve the natural appearance of the coat and do not damage the skin.
Tips from professional groomers
Start with simple areas. If you are new to grooming your dog, practice on easier areas first, such as the back or sides. This will help avoid mistakes on more complex parts of the body.
Take your time. Grooming a dog is not a race. If you have little experience, it is better to do several short sessions to avoid mistakes and give the dog a chance to rest. The calmer you work, the easier the procedure will be.
Keep checking the result. While cutting, take regular breaks to assess the result. This allows you to notice irregularities or deficiencies in time and correct them.
By following these tips, you will be able to achieve a professional result even with a haircut at home, making the process pleasant and safe for your pet.
Features of haircuts for different breeds
Haircut of a dog depends, first of all, on the characteristics of the breed, the type of wool and its physiological needs. Each breed has its own characteristics that must be taken into account when cutting. For example, a poodle’s coat has a different texture compared to a Yorkshire terrier or a Maltese. Groomers must understand that the same cutting technique is not always suitable for all breeds.
A one-size-fits-all approach, often used by hobbyists, can lead to problems such as damage to the coat or skin, loss of natural appearance, or even damage to the animal’s health. Each breed needs special care for its coat, so it is important to know the specifics of each dog.
V.O.G DOG ACADEMY: Professional grooming training
One of the biggest mistakes that dog owners or hobbyists make is improper grooming, which can damage the coat or even harm the health of the dog. Failure to consider breed and coat type often leads to discomfort in the animal and deterioration of its appearance. To avoid such mistakes, it is important to entrust the care of the dog to professionals who have undergone special training.
At V.O.G DOG ACADEMY (grooming school), we train real professionals in the world of grooming, where each student learns all the subtleties of caring for dogs of different breeds. We teach correct cutting techniques, hair care, avoiding common mistakes and psychological aspects of working with animals. Our grooming courses are based on many years of experience of the best masters, and we always share the most current techniques.
A groomer who has undergone grooming training at our academy knows exactly how to cut a dog correctly without causing him stress or discomfort. Dog owners who turn to such groomers can always be sure that their pet will receive the best care, according to the needs of the breed and taking into account all the nuances.
Therefore, if you are looking for real professionals or want to learn the art of grooming yourself, V.O.G DOG ACADEMY and V.O.G DOG SALON are your way to success and safe dog care.
