Grooming 101

#1 Must Have...The Dog Dryer!

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We knew when we bought our first poodle, there was no way we'd be able to keep up with the cost of grooming. I took our girl in a few times to be groomed and then went home and watched lots and lots of Youtube videos! There are a few things I recommend investing in. Before you let your eyes bulge over the prices, remember the price of just one grooming can be anywhere between $100-150 or more. I purchased this dryer on Amazon.com.

Here are a couple little videos of me using my dryer. Please ignore their novice quality. Also, remember I am not a professional groomer! I am just sharing what I am learning as I go.

#2 Must have: Clippers

I use Andis clippers. I love that the blades detach. I am sure just about any quality clippers will work. There are lots of sites that give honest reviews of various clipper brands. I have found Andis to work really well. They do heat up quickly, so it is nice to keep a couple of blades to switch out. Don't be afraid to shave your dog. It's just hair and if you mess up, it will grow back! Just tell your friends you were trying out a new style! Let your creativity drive your style! These are the clippers I use.

#3 Must have: Nail Grinder

Nail clipping is not for the faint of heart. One wrong move and you could have big bloody mess. This is why I prefer to use a nail grinder. You can achieve a smoother, less sharp nail and get the nail much shorter without much risk of hitting the quick. This Andis brand grinder gets the job done.

#4 Must have: A Brush

Obviously if you have a poodle, you know you must brush your dog a lot; preferably every day. I like to use a variety of brushes. I love the slicker brushes with the longer pins to get out the mats. There are all kinds of brushes to choose from. I also like to use a steel comb to check my work to make sure I have all the mats out. Again, there are a plethora of combs and brushes to choose from, so you need to experiment and see what you and your dog prefer.

#5 Must have: Eye Booger Remover

This is one of the most disgusting things to deal with as a dog owner, but this cheap little tool I found on Amazon makes it a breeze. The last time I purchased this it was only about $8! It even comes with a metal comb.