How to cut a dog”s hair at home?

Although brushing your dog at home can seem like a difficult undertaking, you can do it with confidence if you take the proper approach. Even though going to a pro groomer is always an option, cutting your dog’s hair at home can be a great way to spend less time and money and strengthen your bond with your pet.

Since every dog is unique, so are their grooming requirements. A little planning goes a long way, from knowing your dog’s coat type to selecting the appropriate tools. Without having to leave your house, you can maintain your dog’s appearance with a few easy steps.

This tutorial will walk you through the fundamentals of safely and effectively trimming your dog’s hair, along with helpful hints and tips to make the process go more smoothly for both of you and your pet. Now let’s get going!

Step Description
1. Prepare the dog Brush the coat to remove tangles and dirt, and make sure the dog is calm.
2. Gather tools Use proper scissors or clippers, and have a comb, towel, and treats ready.
3. Trim the body Start with the back and sides, trimming evenly and carefully in the direction of hair growth.
4. Trim sensitive areas Gently trim around the face, paws, and belly, being extra cautious near the eyes and ears.
5. Finish and reward Check for uneven spots, do final touches, and reward your dog with praise and treats.

Preparation

Dogs are trimmed like models to give them a nice appearance. They are trimmed hygienically; long hair becomes matted, tangled, and clogged with dirt; cutting is frequently a simpler task than combing and washing. They are trimmed to help with the condition—long-haired breeds get hot in the summer.

In any case, you have to get ready before you cut. You can’t drive the dog into the bath, hold a human clipper in one hand, and cut with scissors in the other and start working right away.

Training is the first step. Not many animals will consent to scissors and a horribly noisy clipper all at once. When they are still tiny puppies, they receive gradual training. They are trained to obey the order to "sit" without turning to face irritants. They occasionally switch on the device over the ear and promote fearlessness. They occasionally run a pair of scissors across the fur; they do not cut it, but rather commend it for its composure and patience.

The pet is truly trimmed and rewarded for its composure when it ceases squirming and attempting to hide—this occurs instantly, as well as after a week and a month, depending on the pet’s temperament.

An adult dog receives the same treatment. However, if the aggression persists after a period of time and no improvement is seen, it may be worthwhile to give in and bring it to a veterinary clinic for grooming, where the haircut can be done under anesthesia if needed.

Selecting the tools is the second step. In order to achieve a successful haircut, you will require the following tools:

  • Scissors made of real metal (these are more expensive, but last longer), with a comfortable handle, sharpened – preferably hairdressing.
  • A clipper – not a human one, but a special one for dogs. A human one will not cope with the hard structure of the hair and will quickly fail.
  • A mat cutter is a specially shaped device that literally “bites out” mats, even if it would be inconvenient to do this with scissors.

The list of options is reduced if the dog is large and requires a hygienic haircut. While a machine haircut may result in an unappealing appearance, it spares you the agony of having to cut off thick fur on the stomach and back in order to fit a lock.

They avoid using a machine if the dog is small and timid because it frightens the infant and they won’t be able to use scissors to cut off the wool for very long.

If the PSA is regularly combed and cleaned with a special balm that prevents the formation of stiffons, coaton cutting is not necessary.

Direct preparation prior to haircutting is the third step. To ensure smooth operations, follow these steps in order:

  • Comb the pet. First with a frequent crest, leaving the stiffs. Then a pudder, getting rid of the extra undercoat. Then with a soft brush, massaging the sides and flatly laying the wool.
  • Wash. The most well -educated dog gets dirty on walks and sand and dirt get stuck in her wool. The machine, having run into them, will break down, the scissors will quickly become dull. Therefore, the dog is washed using shampoo and conditioner.
  • Dry. Short-haired dogs – with a towel. Long-haired dogs – with a hair dryer. If you try to do this with a towel, the undercoat will not dry properly.
  • Comb again. Without a fine-toothed comb or slicker brush, just with a brush so that the fur lies down and it is clear exactly how it lies.

Treat the dog, give him a pat on the head, and engage in loving conversation if he behaves calmly and doesn’t attempt to flee during the procedures. This will give him an incentive to not resist in the future.

If you have the correct equipment and patience, cutting a dog’s hair at home can be an easy and stress-free task. It’s crucial to get your dog ready by soothing them, selecting the right scissors or clippers for the type of coat they have, and giving delicate areas like the face and paws extra care when trimming. Frequent at-home pet grooming ensures your pet’s comfort and hygiene while strengthening the bond between you and them and helping to maintain a tidy appearance.

Basic rules for haircuts

It is not enough for the dog to remain motionless and the tools to be sharp for the haircut to go smoothly. You must also abide by the guidelines:

  • Choose a well-lit, quiet place where you do not have to bend over to the dog. Usually they choose a table, cover it with a tablecloth and move it closer to the window. At such an elevation it is both light and comfortable. It is better to close the door to the room. Another option is to put the dog in the bath. Also convenient, but additional lighting will be needed.
  • Provide a non-slip surface. Cover the table with a natural tablecloth, cover the bathtub with a towel. The main thing is that the dog"s paws do not slide apart, it does not twitch and does not get injured.
  • Have all the tools at hand. Place them so that the dog cannot knock them down on the floor, and be sure to add a first aid kit to them: cuts, even small ones, are treated immediately.

After that, all that’s left to do is pick up the pet, place it on the table, and begin chopping.

How to cut with scissors correctly

Using scissors to cut is a calm, painless, and lengthy process. Most of the time, as long as you don’t pull too hard, even anxious animals can handle it. The process is easy to follow. To ensure that the fur lies well, first comb it and straighten it.

Next, use a metal comb to go over the fur, pausing occasionally to allow some hairs to stay on it. Cut them off carefully. Once you have an even strip the length you want, all you have to do is repeat the process over your whole body.

If there isn’t a comb, you can also separate the hair into thin strands, lift one, twist it into a spiral, and cut it. Although the outcome is not as even, it is more convenient if the length is short.

The muzzle is carefully cut, always keeping the ends of the scissors away from the eyes. This person’s hair is so short that a comb is not necessary. Typically, they follow their instincts and rapidly acquired experience.

Paws are trimmed circularly, eliminating any superfluous hairs that extend past the edge of the pads. In this case, caution is necessary because remaining hairs will hurt and make walking difficult.

To prevent injuries, the scissors are positioned parallel to the dog’s body in the genital area and on the sensitive stomach skin. There is only a centimeter of hair remaining in this area.

Get another person to help if the dog is spinning, trying to sniff the scissors, or running away. They can stroke the dog, distract him with a toy, or give him treats.

In the event that the skin remains affected and this is ineffective, the course of action varies based on the degree of:

  • If the tip only pricked the skin, without causing any harm, look at the animal"s reaction. It did not notice anything and generally reacted calmly to what happened? The procedure continues. It whines, reaches its nose to the sore spot and is nervous? Stop, pet, let it sniff and continue when it calms down.
  • If the tip injured the skin, wipe it with a cotton pad soaked in hydrogen peroxide and watch the dog"s reaction. A phlegmatic animal will not be nervous and the owner will be able to finish the haircut. But a nervous, sensitive dog is calmed, petted and pampered so that it does not associate the pain with the procedure and does not begin to be afraid of it. If it is completely unhappy with what is happening, stop until the next time.
  • If the tip has caused a real injury – for example, stuck or cut off a large flap of skin – the wound is filled with peroxide and a bandage is applied. The haircut is interrupted and not resumed until the condition stabilizes and it becomes clear whether there is inflammation and the need to take the dog to the vet.

However, it is unlikely that even a novice groomer could cause significant harm. The most that can happen is a small cut that takes a few days to heal.

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Maxim Kovalev

Veterinarian with many years of experience. Main interest is the prevention and treatment of diseases in cats and dogs. I constantly share proven tips for caring for the health of pets to help avoid common problems and maintain their excellent health.

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