We just got done with our three-day grooming weekend here. First, we start with calming treats for all!
Beau, at twelve, has let me groom him for most of his life. I usually groom his face and head first...getting that sculptured poodle "poof" takes patience. Then I scissor his torso and tail. On day two, I finish his legs and give him a bath.
Gus, the baby, has a serious cotton coat. Unfortunately he tends to mat at his haunches when I let his coat get the slightest bit long. I start with his ears, and work as much of his head as I can cut before he gets too wiggly. When he stops cooperating with his head, I do his torso, then call it a day. Day two I finish his face and beard and do a "rough cut" on his legs. He then gets a bath, with a SERIOUS five minute conditioning. Day three I even up any hairs which pop out from his former mats and sculpt his legs.
Tyrone, the muscle man, is DEATHLY afraid of water! At nine pounds, I cannot wrestle him in the bath, but he is getting better as he gets older and will let my husband bathe him. He has a floor-length beautiful silky coat, and we only do a sanitary cut and scissor around his beautiful green eyes. After his bath, we use spray conditioner and comb through his coat as we blow him dry.
We have had luck spreading the grooming process over a few days, and working on them for short periods at a time. Everyone is rewarded with plenty of little salmon bites (which are their "special" bath and grooming treats), and they all get cuddled in a warm towel after their baths for a little one-on-one time. It is exhausting, but if they try my patience, I can stop and come back to it...that would not be the case for a groomer. |