BubbiesMom

Hi, When grooming a toy, your two best friends are your scissors and a portable fine blade (30 mm) clipper. That way touch ups on the face and feet are a breeze. For clipping guides, check your local library for The Complete Poodle--it's old but there is nothing its author didn't know about poodles. The Poodle guide is great too. We always hand plucked our poodles ears-or scissor out the wax if it's really awful. Once the worse is over, if the ear has no abrasions a weekly swab with a cotton ball and a touch of cider vinegar keeps the wax from building up. Don't kow about the skipping though--better check with the vet. Good luck.

In June I went to the local animal shelter to get another Lab for our other rescue dog, Sadie. I instead fell in love with the dirtiest most matted mess of a dog I've ever seen. Peanut Butter. My 3 year old named her. Amazing dog. The whole family loves her. As you can see from the profile picture, Sadie thinks she's a throw pillow. Anywho, I have no idea what I am doing when it comes to caring for a toy poodle. HELP!

The neglect was so bad she had to be shaved. And I do mean shaved. It has taken me almost 2 months to heal the sores. She was spayed 4 weeks ago. I grew up showing dogs so I would prefer to do my own grooming. I need to know about keeping ears clean, tear staining and doing the "pet clip". Also, how do I work on fixing the "skipping". I've noticed one of her legs seems to take a minute to get going. Any help would be great!