Do-it-yourself grooming

June 23, 12:26 PMShowbiz Pets ExaminerLorraine Goodman

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Bye bye undercoat

In these hard times, any idea that will help save money is welcome. And if you’re pooch is aiming for the bright lights, that means he always has to look his best. And while certain grooming basics at home are not so daunting: a good brushing, or a bath – what about the trim? If you have a dog with fur (ie – one that sheds) you most likely do not need to clip your dog’s hair. But if you have a dog with hair: poodles, Portuguese Water Dogs, Bichons, some terriers, etc. – sooner or later your dog will need to get familiar with a pair of shears.

Of course, you could take your dog to the groomers, but here in NYC, that can run you $80 or more! And that’s for a basic trim and bath for a medium-size dog at a pet chain. Go to a boutique doggie spa and we’re talking over $100. Once a month!

I’d rather spend that money on my own haircut, thank you.

So, consider trying a home-doggie-do or doggie-do-touch-up.

You’ll need some tools. Electric clipping shears range in price from the low $50s to super fancy kits for the pros priced above $200. You can find beginners’ kits for around $60 that include everything you’ll need to get started including: clipper, grooming and styling combs, comb attachments, slicker brush, shears and even a grooming DVD. You’ll also need a towel (to put under you dog to collect the hair), and some way to restrain your dog.

Next step: learn. Watch videos – there are hundreds of them on YouTube. 

Also, ask a groomer if you can watch. You can also ask what equipment they recommend for your type of dog.

Some dogs do require extensive maintenance and need someone who truly knows what they are doing. But sometimes an at-home mid-monthly touch-up can save big bucks.
 

Other tips:
Here are two more insider tips I learned by hanging around professional dogs:

•     Why do professionally groomed dogs smell so good and have such shiny coats? They use “coat dressings.” These products are the canine equivalent of ‘hairspray’ and generally come in spray or aerosol. 
   
•     Why do show-dogs’s  whites and blacks seem to ‘pop’ more than most dogs? Grooming chalk. Yup – use a toothbrush or just your fingers to brush some on and your pup’s colors will SHINE. The chalk comes in eight colors: white, black, brown, blue/grey, tan, light brown, red brown or crème.

• List of Grooming tools
• Where to buy grooming tools:
  Petedge.com
  ShowDog
• Bathing Tips
• Small pet bathing tips