[AgilityIG]

When I first got Vinnie, he had a really nice full head of hair. I decided it was getting too hot and cut him down a bit. I am trying to grow his hair back out - especially the neck hair. I am aiming for a modified German trim eventually. I shortened up his rear (from the last rib back) and the last couple grooms (I groom weekly) I have just been doing f/f/t and scissoring the rough areas (no neck hair!). I am getting better at scissoring the front legs and body, but just seem to butcher the rear legs. Any helpful hints? Here are some shots from tonight's groom:

 

[Aidan]

Are you using curved or straights for scissoring around the legs? I would definitely be using curved shears if possible, might not think it makes a lot of difference but especially for getting that nice even finish it helps a ton. I do all my blending with curved shears for the most part.

The groom looks really good, the neck looks odd to me but that might be how you wanted it.

The front legs look great but you're right the back ones do look choppy. It's hard working with the puppy fuzz in general, so you're doing just fine for not having been grooming too long, i hate trying to get puppy fuzz even on my dogs or even on clients dogs. My favorite thing to do to a puppy is shave them with a #3 because to me it's the only thing that will look nice and smooth and rarely do I get long haired dogs in that can be groomed properly, most are matted.

I think Vinnie looks beautiful!

 

[BFF]

Vinnie looks really good, especially the front. I think his back legs look good. If it were me, I might leave a little more length on the bottom of the back legs to even him out.

I think you are doing a fantastic job. I'm so inspired. I have decided to groom Zulee myyself. I can only hope she will look half as good.

How long does it take you to groom him now?

 

[AgilityIG]

Are you using curved or straights for scissoring around the legs?

The groom looks really good, the neck looks odd to me but that might be how you wanted it.

The front legs look great but you're right the back ones do look choppy.

I think Vinnie looks beautiful!

Thanks Aidan!! Right now I just have a pair of straight shears, but plan on getting curved asap!

I agree the neck looks odd, but I think that's because it's so short? Is that what you were thinking?

I don't know what it is with those back legs... maybe the angles and I will do better with curved shears. Ugh!! I emailed his breeder too and she sent me some ideas and a photo to work off of. I think part of the problem with the back legs - she pointed this out - is that I am leaving too much hair on the back of the thighs and I need to let more grow in front of the rear legs.

Thanks for your thoughts!!

 

[AgilityIG]

Vinnie looks really good, especially the front. I think his back legs look good. If it were me, I might leave a little more length on the bottom of the back legs to even him out.

I think you are doing a fantastic job. I'm so inspired. I have decided to groom Zulee myyself. I can only hope she will look half as good.

How long does it take you to groom him now?

Thanks BFF!

His breeder suggested more hair in front of the rear legs - I think that will help too.

You should groom Zulee yourself - you will get practice and save a ton of money. The initial investment for me in grooming equipment was probably around $500, but I will save that in about a year if he were getting groomed every seven weeks. I still want to buy some curved shears and a bigger grooming table, so need to spend another $200 or so.

I am getting faster - it really depends on how much I am doing. Last night it took me from 5:30 to 8:00. Bathed, dry, scissor, f/f/t. I didn't scissor all that much, but we did take a little break - probably about 20 minutes after scissoring.

 

[Aidan]

If you are lucky enough to have a dog that will stand VERY still you can actually take a 10 (or even a 30/40 blade) and just skim the back legs, dont dig in to the skin or anything just skim over them to make a nice clean finish and then like you were told let the front of the legs grow out and just scissor to even it up.

If you feel more comfortable for the first time you could always use the snap on combs and do it that way as well, it works but I still prefer just using a short blade and skimming over it. I do the same thing for shaping up Rough Collies and Aussies and such as well, it works great but you have to have a dog that will stand still and hopefully a second person to make sure the dog doesnt walk into the blade...I took a nice chunk out of a beautiful Rough Collie my first week grooming...

Luckily the dog had been semi matted so I just told the owner that was there I had to cut out a matt..which was true, its just I didnt have to take THAT much off.

She still gets her dog groomed with me :-D

 

[AgilityIG]

Thanks Aidan - I might give that a try - it would probably be faster than scissoring and neater. Vin is pretty good about standing still.

 

[Purple Poodle]

He looks great! I love the contrast of his coat and shaved areas.

 

[Aidan]

I found this video, the lady on this clip is doing kind of what im talking about only she's probably doing a puppy cut or modern or german im not too sure i didn't pay too close attention to the whole thing but she's not digging in she's just skimming but she's also using a snap on comb, it would be the same technique with the blade if you're going for a shorter cut like what you have vinnie in currently.

When I shaved Vega done this last time I just did a 3 all over..only scissoring on his ears and legs a bit but still took a 3 to everything..ears..topknot..tail, all of it gone! Im trying to let his adult coat grow through and I keep taking his coat down every few weeks with the 3 blade all over, it should make the process easier.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWf7hkp4AhY

 

[passion4poodles]

I agree with aiden, I am not a pro groomer but I think his neck looks weird as well, I think it is because you took it down so far, it as far as I know is uspposed to only go down to the "adams apple" and no further, but he looks great! I love his pics ALWAYS!

 

[AgilityIG]

Thanks for the video Aidan - it was very good - you can really see the difference.

 

[AgilityIG]

I agree with aiden, I am not a pro groomer but I think his neck looks weird as well, I think it is because you took it down so far, it as far as I know is uspposed to only go down to the "adams apple" and no further, but he looks great! I love his pics ALWAYS!

OOOOOOOOOOOO.... so that's what you meant - the "v" on his neck was too low. Yep - his breeder pointed out that it needed to be more like a "v" and not a "u". I will raise it up a bit and sharpen the point.

Yikes - I need to start making myself a list for grooming!! :smile-big: