I just started grooming my own Yorkies a few months ago after I got Cookie back and they chopped her up to look like a boy
. So, I groom them myself now. I'm still learning but I use scissors on her whole body and clippers on her ears if needed. I usually cut them before their bath (when the hair is still dry). But, my little girls have a little curl to their hair, so an uneven cut would not be noticable on my girls. I definately do the hard part first in the grooming process (feet, nails, ears) because they tend to cooperate less as time progresses. Hope this helps.