Would you like to know how to cut your dog's hair? In this article on our site we are going to review everything you need and the steps you must follow to cut your dog's hair, because, although many people practice it at home, it is a ritual that it's not easy.
The type of cut, finish or hairstyle will vary depending on the dog and its physical characteristics. For this reason, we will also talk about the different types of mantle that exist. You're ready? Keep reading this article and find out everything to make your dog the most handsome in the whole city.
Dog coat types
Before you start cutting your dog's hair, you should know what type of hair he has, since coat care will vary depending on of which one. In this sense, it is important to highlight that the hair fulfills important functions in these animals, such as protecting them from the cold and the sun's rays. For this reason, it is essential to respect the nature of the dog and cut its hair in order to improve its well-being, not ours. By this we mean that, in some dogs, completely shaving the coat is not adequate.
There are two types of hair in dogs, primary hair and secondary hair The first corresponds to the outer hair and, therefore, It is longer. The secondary hair is called the subhair because it is under the primary hair. There are different types of undercoat that, together with the primary, make up the different types of fur or mantle. During the moulting period, it is the secondary hair that falls to adapt the coat to the temperature of the climate. Of course, we must emphasize that not all dogs have undercoats, this being the main reason why there are dogs that do not shed hair and require cuts more frequently. Thus, the following types of hair are distinguished in dogs:
- Hard hair: is the one that Westies or Schnauzers have, for example. It is characterized by exceeding 10 cm in length and having a harder and more rigid texture. In this case, we must work with electric razors and not use softeners or oils.
- Curly Hair: This is characteristic of poodles and water dogs, among others, and requires a special moisturizing-type shampoo. The cut must be made with scissors in certain areas and with a razor in others.
- Short hair: it is typical of breeds such as the boxer or the pit bull and does not need any cut, except for medium-haired specimens. long, which are rare. To do this, we can go over some areas with the razor to even out the hair. We will not use softeners or oils.
- Long hair: we can relate it to the Yorkshire or the Pomeranian. This one does require a fabric softener and a snip.
Once you have identified your dog's type of hair, you can start thinking about what you need and what the cut will be like. In addition, you should pay attention if your dog is a M altese Bichon, since this breed requires a cut that always exceeds 4 centimeters, as a result of an excessive cut you could turn his coat curly.
What do you need to cut your dog's hair?
Once you have identified your dog's coat, you must decide what type of cut you are going to make and, therefore, what products and preparation the job requires. If you have doubts about how to make the right cut, you can go the first time to a dog grooming specialist to request advice. Now, if what you are looking for is a professional result from the first cut but without the need to constantly go to a canine beauty center, with the VETFORMACIÓN Dog Grooming CourseYou will be able to acquire all the necessary knowledge to cut your dog's hair at home and dedicate yourself to it professionally.
For this process to be successful and you end up with a spectacular result, you must follow some basic tips. Start by identifying the products you need:
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Dryer
- Clippers
- Scissors
- Small Scissors
- Brush
- Adhesive tape
Before you start cutting your dog's hair you should prepare the bath with the specific products for his coat, including conditioner if he has long hair. It is also important that you prepare a table or cutting area in a quiet place to work. In many dog grooming salons you will see tables with an extendable arm to tie your dog and be able to cut its hair without moving, as well as dry the coat with a dryer located at the end of this arm.
Steps to cut your dog's hair at home
Once you have prepared all the necessary products, the time has come to learn how to cut a dog's hair step by step:
1. Brush your dog's hair
Before cutting you should brush thoroughly all the fur of the dog, removing knots and tangles, in this way you will clearly identify the volume to be lower and uneven areas. Thus, if you are wondering how to cut a dog's hair with knots, the answer is to first undo these tangles. However, if the knots are very large and, therefore, cannot be brushed, it is best to cut them so as not to harm the dog.
As you know, there are different types of brushes, special for each type of hair. You will also find mini-sized brushes on the market, designed for small areas of your dog, such as the face.
two. Start cutting body hair
In general, it is recommended to cut the dog's hair dry to facilitate the drying of the coat afterwards. Especially if the cut is done by machine, it is important to take this point into account and review the necessary areas after the bath. That said, the first areas to clip the dog's hair should be the back and hind legs Afterward, you'll repeat the process on the neck, chest, front legs and belly. Look at the areas that have more fur, as these are the ones that you should cut first with the help of scissors. If you are going to match the size with the machine, it does not matter if it is uneven.
Take your time to cut It is preferable to go little by little, carefully selecting the areas in detail so as not to damage the dog or leave parts longer than others. In addition, if you are relaxed you will favor the tranquility of your dog and the final result will be better.
Once you have reduced the volume of the hair you can use the machine, always in the direction of the furBe gentle and don't apply too much pressure to avoid shears. At this point it is common to ask the question: "can you cut dog hair with a normal machine?". The truth is that yes, you can use the hair clipper you have at home, since the important thing is the way of cutting.
If, on the other hand, the cut of your dog is going to be only with scissors, help yourself with your fingers and a suitable comb to take the measurements of the different areas. You must achieve a homogeneous result.
3. Cut your dog's facial hair
You shouldn't forget facial hair, because there are specific tools for this delicate task, such as adhesive bandages to hold bangs and ears.
The hairs that are around the eyes can cause discomfort and they also need to be cut because, sometimes, when they get inside the eye they cause constant tearing that dyes the dog's hair a copper color. Discover how to remove tear stains from your dog's hair in this other article. Do not use the machine for this area.
Of course, when cutting the hair on the dog's face it is essential to be especially careful with the whiskers, which are those longer and harder hairs located in different areas, such as on the chin, the snout or the eyebrows. These hairs allow dogs to measure distances, perceive information about temperature or protect the eyes from foreign bodies. Therefore, they should not be cut. For more details, you can consult this article: "What are dog whiskers used for?".
4. Trim pad hairs
Between the dog's toes also grows hair that should be trimmed to prevent dirt buildup. This area is especially sensitive and dogs tend to move restlessly when we are in the process, for this reason we recommend caution and care. Finish the entire cut by going over the nails as well. To do this, don't miss this article: "How to cut your dog's nails?".
5. Bathe your dog
Once the hair is cut, you should bathe your dog to remove all the dirt that it may have on its body. Then, you will have to dry it with a towel leaving the hair damp and ready to finish drying it with a dryer if necessary. In this way, having cut the coat beforehand, it is much easier both to bathe it and to dry it.
Remember that it is convenient to use a fabric softener or conditioner for pets in those dogs that show long hair, such as the Afghan hound, the Yorkshire or the M altese bichon.
6. Dry your dog's hair with a hairdryer
Once you have finished cutting your dog's hair, it is important that you dry the coat with a hairdryer while you comb it. If you don't have a specific one for pets (they make less noise) you can use any one, in this way you eliminate excess hair and leave it impeccable, shiny and smooth.
When drying your dog's hair with a dryer it is essential check the temperature, first, in your hand to avoid burn the animal Likewise, it is advisable to start drying with the lowest power to increase it depending on the reaction of the dog. Again, patience will be your best ally if you want this to be as positive an experience as possible. Therefore, if your dog does not tolerate the noise of the dryer very well, it is preferable to dry with the lowest power to ensure that it is as comfortable and calm as possible, even if this means that it takes a little longer. If your dog is stressed anyway, we recommend you review this article to treat his anxiety and work on it in a positive way: "How to get a dog used to the dryer?".
On the other hand, it is important to highlight that you should always dry in the direction of the hair, except in those cases in which you want to achieve greater volume, since for this it will be necessary to dry against the grain.
To dry the area of the face and ears it is advisable to lower the intensity of the dryer to a minimum, both to avoid scaring the dog so as not to burn these sensitive parts. Also, pay attention to the legs, because in cases of extreme humidity you can favor the appearance of fungi between the fingers.
Up to here the process of cutting your dog, we hope that it has served as a guide and that it has been phenomenal. Remember that you can share your photo to show the community of our site the result of your process.
How to cut the hair of a dog that won't let it go: recommendations
The most important thing when cutting a dog's hair that won't let it go is to associate the activity with positive stimuli. In this way, forcing the animal by holding it by force will not be an option in these cases, since this will only make it feel even more uncomfortable and, therefore, want to escape more intensely. To make this practice more positive, you should first begin by approaching the utensils one by one, let him sniff them and give him a treat. Repeat this several times throughout the day, for several days so that the dog gets used to your presence and does not get nervous just by seeing the scissors, for example.
Once the dog is used to working tools, it's time to try to cut a piece of hairThus, you should go very slowly and very carefully, observing your dog's body language at all times, especially if he tends to bite during the grooming session. In this way, bring the scissors closer, cut a piece and reward the animal again. If left, you will be able to cut a little more. This same method applies to the task of brushing and drying.
If your dog still won't get a haircut, you should see a professional for help. Likewise, remember that by taking the VETFORMACIÓN Dog Grooming Course, you will also learn to handle this type of situation.
