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.