Winnie is a hot mess because I am poor

[lainacohen]

I know a lot of people get yelled at on here because they run in to hard times and do not have sufficient funds to take care of their babies. Sadly I am now one of them. With this being sad I do have to point out that I have an emergency only credit card for any medical needs but the estimated cost of her back leg surgery is a total of 3 grand. Thankfully my vet has told me that she does not want to do the surgery until absolutely necessary which is not right now. But I need to do everything I can to save up for the inevitable. With this being said Winnie has not gotten a hair cut in a VERY long time. She looks like such a hot mess. Her hair cut is a total of $45 and I feel horrible that I have to cut that cost. It just seems to be the only cost that I can reasonably cut from my budget. Like I said I have a credit card for any medical needs but I can't justify the cost of the cut. Hell I don't pay $45 for a hair cut. Any way this is my rant. Am I a bad mother for making my dog look homeless?

[Maximo]

Groom at home. Many people here do it, including me. My boys are in full coat, so I don't need the most expensive grooming tool -- a full size trimmer. You can start with scissors and maybe an inexpensive mustache trimmer for ears and other small areas. Grooming at home saves a lot of money.

[lainacohen]

I was thinking that but have been worried that I would hurt her one slip of anything and I would poke an eye out!

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by lainacohen

I was thinking that but have been worried that I would hurt her one slip of anything and I would poke an eye out!

Use your fingers in one hand to hold hair and to block the scissors from hitting your pup. Always angle the scissors up or down, away from the body. Go slowly and be patient. It does take practice working with your dog on grooming. If she accepts being brushed, she should learn to work well with you.

I put my boys on a counter and use my body to block them from potentially jumping or falling. They have learned keywords like "careful" or "sit still" when I am working on areas like the face.

I also steady their heads by placing my hand along their jawline or around the top -- anywhere that doesn't place pressure on the throat.

[My lil friend]

Work at it in small areas. It doesnt have to be done all at once. A little each day so neither of you get frustrated. You will learn as you go and your baby will learn how you are going to handle her/him.

[lainacohen]

Thank you so much for the tips. I just want to make sure that I am saving money on the extras so that I don't have a heart attack with finances if something medical should happen. Winifred is my number one, I would go without anything if needed for her. But with her past medical issues and the knowledge of the eventual surgery I want a strong monetary safety net for her.

[ShowGirlLola]

I'm trying to learn how to groom at home too, my groomer is like $60 *or more, and that's before tip* so I'm trying to limit professional grooming to 2-3x a year.

I have no experience with grooming a dog.

I brush Lola every night, I put her on my table with a towel under her and I give her little dog cookies to keep her occupied.
I buy "teddy grams" and "animal crackers" at petco, they're like $4.50 a pound and they're loose, so you can buy a small amount. They aren't the healthiest, but they'll do until I find something better. She gets 1 1/2 animal crackers while being brushed and 1 teddy gram while I do her top knot.
I like those treats because they keep her occupied for a decent amount of time, but not so long that she wants to run away with it.

I've also trimmer her private areas with a cheap set of small clippers and I've trimmed the edges of her feet and between her paw pads with rounded edge kid scissors.
The vet trimmed her nails for me, but it needs to be done again.

I need to get over my issues with cutting her nails and ears.

I'm keeping the hair by her eyes long and she wears a top knot, so I won't have to get too close to her eyes with scissors.

The kid scissors I have are like these, they're actually pretty sharp
Amazon.com: Fiskars 94167097J Kids Classic Blunt...

[lainacohen]

Good suggestions THANKS!

[MauiGirl]

I agree with the others, do your own grooming. It not only will save money, but can build an even better bond between you.

I groom my 4, and it's not hard at all.

[Oddsock]

If your nervous about grooming, there are videos on youtube and also some you can buy.

Good luck with the grooming. I made a funny mistake, my second time on Caleb, forgot to change the clip and he ended up with a shaved backside, in one line. It's almost grown out now, but I was embarrassed when we took him out.

[navillusc]

Yes...groom at home.

I like the full coat so don't clip their bodies, but have watched tons of youtube videos because I know at some point I will need/want to clip.

Mia was scissor cut...and badly...when I got her, but she grew out very nicely and in not too long a time. So, if it doesn't come out right at first, put a shirt or dress on her when you take her out. You can scissor used baby onsies from yard sales or thrift stores.

I only take my kids to the groomer for nail clips...$5 each kid. I was clipping nails at home, and may do it again, but the groomer takes less time to do all three than it takes me even with the drive, it seems less stressful for them, and it is worth it to me. I do their ears, round their paws, and trim hair from paw pads, sanitary areas...takes no time at all and is not difficult. I do paws with them lying on their backs in my lap. I found it very easy to get a good rounded paw just by combing the hair 'upward' in a natural growth pattern so that the long hairs extend beyond the paw, and holding it with my left hand, trimming around the paw with scissors in my right hand...you can see the nail cuz you're looking at the underside, and it is much easier and more comfortable for them and me than counter-clipping...and they get nice tummy rubs in between.

Oh, and financial bad times hit pretty much everyone at some point or other, but with 'grooming' issues...here at my house...I am the one loooong overdue for a haircut.

[horsnaround]

It's really not that hard. Take your time and you will be amazed at what you can do.

[yorkiemini]

Just do a little at a time - don't try to take it all on at once.
Be patient
Hair is forgiving and WILL grow back so a mistake is never permanent.

Hang in! Sounds like you are making goo decisions for your baby!

[Lil Sis]

I have three... and they do not get groomed like "the ole days" ... I was spending close to $200.00 a month. Of course I let the nails go and the hightlights go first.

I still have them "shaved" a couple times a year to help with my grooming. My groomer is a casual friend. He complains how people wait until their dogs are a "hot mess" before they come in. I was honest... people wait because times are a bit hard and grooming is expensive!!!! When I got Sammy grooming was $35.00 now it is over $50.00 (sammy is 10 years old)

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by MauiGirl

I agree with the others, do your own grooming. It not only will save money, but can build an even better bond between you.

I groom my 4, and it's not hard at all.

Originally Posted by horsnaround

It's really not that hard. Take your time and you will be amazed at what you can do.

I agree. When I first started with Max as a pup, I was discouraged. Now it seems so easy and I can work my 2 hands like an octopus with 8 arms.