The pandemic has changed human life in many ways. From cooking your favorite takeout meal to hosting a fancy cocktail night – you’ve grown accustomed to doing most things by yourself, in the comfort of your home. And you’ve likely had at least one stint of giving yourself a haircut at home during quarantine.
So, it’s only a matter of time before you contemplate whether or not to trim your dog’s fur by yourself. But if you’ve never tried your hands at giving your dog a haircut, it’s natural to be skeptical about doing it.
What if you accidentally injure your furry friend with clippers? Is your dog even going to remain still while you trim their fur? What about sensitive body parts, such as the underbelly, underarms, and face?
These questions will start popping in your head the moment you think about giving your dog a haircut at home. In this blog, we’ll explore whether it’s a good idea to trim your dog’s fur by yourself. Let’s get started.
To Trim or Not to Trim: That’s the Question
Of course, in an ideal world, you’d take your pooch to your go-to dog grooming service for a full-fledged spa day. A qualified dog grooming professional has a ton of experience in addressing your canine companion’s unique needs, including nail trimming, ear cleaning, and teeth brushing.
Also, professional dog groomers are well-versed with the techniques to maintain a dog’s coat in top shape. They even know a few tricks to calm your restless pooch before a haircut. They have access to the right tools, and are trained to ensure your dog’s safety while grooming.
But with lockdown and social distancing regulations, you may not have access to your dog grooming salon. Or you might be apprehensive about getting infected with the novel coronavirus while you’re out running errands. In either case, taking your furry friend to the nearest pet groomer might feel like a distant dream.
Nevertheless, regular brushing and trimming are necessary for maintaining a healthy coat. If your dog’s hair becomes too long, it could get tangled, leading to the matting of your dog’s fur. This, in turn, can cause a wide array of skin infections and diseases. It could even affect blood circulation to the skin and mask underlying health conditions.
Hair growth around the eyes could hinder your dog’s visibility and even cause irritation. Similarly, if the fur between their paws isn’t trimmed, it could become the breeding ground of disease-causing germs. So, postponing your dog’s haircut until the pandemic is over isn’t a feasible solution.
Whether you want to trim your dog’s coat at home or take them to a professional grooming service is a matter of personal choice and convenience. The good news is that most dog grooming salons have established extensive COVID-19 protocols to ensure the safety of their clients.
But if you decide to trim your dog’s hair by yourself, make sure you consult an experienced groomer and follow the right steps. The most important thing is to ensure that they’re regularly groomed to rule out the possibility of skin diseases and infections.
How to Cut Your Dog’s Hair at Home?
Trimming your dog’s fur isn’t the same as giving yourself a haircut after watching a tutorial on YouTube. You must know how to use clippers and scissors correctly without causing any skin injuries. Also, you must devise a strategy to keep your pooch calm while you’re cutting their hair.
Start by consulting your go-to groomer about how frequently your dog needs a haircut. They’ll guide you through the right way to trim the coat based on your dog’s breed and hair length. Also, ask them about the most effective tools to trim your dog’s fur.
- Hair clipper
- Straight or curved scissors
- Comb
If your dog has a thin fur coat, a pair of scissors will do the trick. But for dogs with thicker coats and longer hair, a clipper is a must. Curved scissors are particularly useful when you’re trimming the hair around their eyes, nose, and ears.
On the day of the haircut, make sure you get your pooch to sit on an elevated table. It’ll ensure that you have a good view of their entire body. Also, keep plenty of treats handy to reward them after completing each step. You should also shower them with lots of praise as you go along.
Make sure you cut in the direction of hair flow to prevent the formation of lines. Also, always start trimming from the neck, and work your way to the legs and tail. Be patient and watch out for any signs of discomfort or agitation your dog might be exhibiting.
The Final Verdict
With the right tools and guidance, it’s possible to give your dog a haircut at home. But if your dog is particularly aggressive or restless, it’s wiser to take them to a professional grooming salon. Make sure you regularly brush their coat to prevent matting and skin infections.