At 1.5 years old, Milo had become the scruffy puppy. Even though I use doggy conditioner, brushing him wasn’t much fun and it didn’t last long. I’d be lucky if I got one side of him brushed before he’d take off and not let me do any more. The hair around his neck and chest always looked messy and I was tired of it.
A few weeks ago, I started looking into getting him professionally groomed. Expensive!! Add to that the negative reviews and horror stories I’d read about dogs getting injured, I researched how to groom him myself. There are a tonne of videos available on YouTube and lots of information to be found about it. So, I went to the local pet store and picked up some clippers and scissors to do it myself.
I took advantage of the gorgeous Easter weekend weather at my folks’ last week to give Milo a bath in their large sink and groom him outside in the sunshine. Less mess than trying to do it in my apartment. It was actually very easy to do, having watched the videos before. I’m really pleased with the results and best of all, Milo hasn’t needed to be brushed all week. Today, he’ll get a face wash and a light brushing and he should be good for the week.
Total investment in supplies was around $130 with taxes. The local groomers wanted $75 to start plus taxes. But even more important than the money I’ll save, is that I don’t have to leave Milo with a stranger where he’d no doubt be very stressed and could possibly be injured too. Plus, I can do spot touch ups as needed whenever I want to keep him looking his best.
I used the 4FC blade for Milo. I had wanted to do some additional work with the 10 blade around the tidy areas and his tummy, but he’d had enough of me fussing so I decided he looked good enough. I was shocked how much hair/fur came off and how different he looked when I was done. I tried to use the attachable combs but they didn’t work for Milo at all.
Grooming your own dog might not be for everyone, but for Milo and I, it’s the best option. What about you, do you groom your own dogs/cats?
He looks like a puppy again, but dang, girlfriend, you scared me with the title and thought something had happened to him. He is just sooo precious!! I used to cut mine also, and was able to just snip a little around his face inbetween. Definitely a money saver and I felt like good bonding time. You did a terrific job!!!!
Good for you and Milo! He’s dashing :)
When our beautiful golden retriever was alive I would cut her coat too. I liked that, if and when she’d had enough, we’ stop for the day and finish the next day. Yes, she did look like one of those half man half woman circus characters on a couple of occasions, not that she took notice. :)
Nothing against professional groomers but, I don’t even spend that kind of coin to have my own hair!
There’s nothing like a new spring do to make a body feel good! He looks like a new dog!
Good job! I take my two little ones to the groomer & appreciate that they not only groom, but trim nails, express anal glands, clean out ears, etc. and alert me to any conditions they might spot. That said, we’re now retired & your post has me thinking that it might be time to invest in some good clippers and start doing it myself.
He looks so much better. I don’t have to shave my dog, his breed sheds their hair twice a year. If I had know that when I got him , I would have thought a little longer. For a Couple weeks every six months I’m vacumming three times a day and combing him constantly. Good thing he is such a sweet dog.
You did a great job, I groom in the summer and my schnoodle loves it, the Bichon would rather go to the groomers. Go figure. . . but you did a great job! Milo looks Good!
You did a wonderful job!! He looks very dapper.
Hugs, Deborah
Milo is such a handsome dog now! You did a wonderful job and it will be well worth the start up expense as time goes on. Such a cutie!
I LOVE Milo’s new ‘do. Such a handsome puppy :)
Milo looks quite handsome and yes besides the expense it is nicer to do it yourself than sending him off… great job
Milo looks very handsome now and well done you for doing it yourself. I remember how much better and sleeker ruby looked when she had her first haircut, aged about six months. We take her to a lovely lady in the nearby town, who’s so gentle and caring with her. She’s also a dog sitter, so we usually leave Ruby with her for the day and she has a wonderful day being pampered and playing with any other visiting dogs.
What a sweet puppy! Sometimes it is so hard to invest in things which in the long run will save you money.
You did an amazing job! He (she) looks 100% better!