You have already gotten some great advice already about trimming his paws from the lady who posted several times before me. She is right about the quick, painless little "battery powered trimmers". Mine are made by Yellow Dog Co. and fit right in the palm of my small hand - they barely make a little buzzing sound - run on 2 batteries. Think they are safer than scissors if your dog is nervous.Can easily trim the hair off the flat bottoms of his feet,too, as she said. Call or visit Pet depts & pet stores. I found my pair at pet aisle of T.J.Maxx.-Shock! They were just $19.00 and very easy to use! **P.S.- play or rub your dog's paws so he gets used to having his feet touched by you as well as his body.
Gunner may do really well with a good groomer, every once in a while who actually "gently thins" out some of his thick body hair, so it lays a bit and flows! When I got ill, I took my Taffy to a very good groomer who trims his hair to 4-5 inches below his body length for that is how I like it. We leave his leg hair just barely neatened-up, since his hair is the silky type and is thinner than the fluffy type. She trims his lower eye areas and trims his "stop"-(forhead) hair, cleans & trims his ears, & trims nails. Plus, he gets a good oatmeal based bath and cream rinse. She uses a nonstinging eye shampoo around his head area. Costs $30.00.
He comes out happy as can be with a "Bandana of the month" (or holiday) tied around his neck. My husband and the dog Hate bows!--Taffy would tear his bow out (along with some hair) with his forepaws when young. I even tried clip on bows, but they slid & he yanked them off. (It was his only bad habit) So as he is a such good little guy, we go with loose hair on the back of his eye-forhead that stays out of his eyes & the rest lays down the sides of his face with a neat look. I like a bit a of a 4-5," beard on him. You needn't have a 'long beard' for a just a pet, but be sure to clean food off it & brush it too.
He looks very good now and gets a lot of compliments. Since he is a house pet, I feel he is happier with his modified cut and part-face trim. He is happy, and so are we. Have fun with your little Gunner! Fondly, Sue & Taffy |