Tips for Grooming Yorkie Yourself

[amspoelstra]

I know there are a ton of threads on this, and I did read most of them... But couldn't find what I was looking for. Some time a go someone posted a link to a website that showed how to groom a yorkie yourself, does anybody remember what it was?

Trixie isn't up on her vaccinations because she is still on medication for mites (we're getting it under control, thank god, and the vet expects it to be about 2 more months before she can be completely cleared). Her hair is getting so long, but I don't want to take her to a groomer right now. So, I bought a 13 piece pet clipper set at Target with 6 combs - 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4. I don't want to shave her entire body, but cut it just a little shorter. I'll use the clipper set for her legs and ears. Which comb attachment do I use for which part of her body? And what is the best way to cut around her body, leaving her hair a little longer?

Any tips would be appreciated!!!

[linkay12003]

Hi:

Just a note regarding clipping or grooming your Yorkie. I've been in the grooming business for 10 plus years and operate a shop out of my home.

This is my suggestion: The clippers you purchased at Target will not do a proper job. This type of clipper vibrates tremendously and is very noisey, plus they get very hot in a short period of time, which could burn your baby. The mechanics of the clipper have to be oiled periodically. Generally, you have to use a screw driver to change out blades. The comb attachments .....well.....my opinion.....might as well throw them in the trash. You'll get very choppy results.

Regarding trimming the ears. Be very, very careful. Do not use any type clipper along the edge of the ear, unless you have at least a #30 or #40 blade attached. Its so easy for the edge of the ear to be fed into the clipper blade if you are not experienced. Injuries of this sort could leave a permanent notch in the ear or worse. I recommend purchasing the 'wahl peanut' from Petedge for trimming the ears and trimming out the pads of the feet. You can find Petedge on the net for all grooming supplies. The Peanut clipper will run you about 39.00.

The best investment you can make is to buy a pair of Andis clippers. They will last you a lifetime with proper care. Most groomer's use the Andis brand. They are lightweight, quiet and little vibration to scare your baby.
Interchangeable blades of different lengths can be purchased which snap on and off the clipper. No screw driver required...very little maintenance.

I've got several sets of different comb attachments for my Andis. I hardly ever use them-- waste of money on my part really. Basically, I don't recommend comb attachments, but thats just me. The coat will have to be perfectly tangle/matt free in order to use comb attachments.

The higher the number of the blade, the closer the cut. I use a #15 for potty area and belly. # 5 or #7 on the body. Scissor the legs. Depending on the density of your babies coat would determine the size of the blade you'd need to use. A thin coat would a require a #4 or #5 to prevent the skin from showing through their hair -- and you don't want that.

If I were you, I'd return the Target clippers. Look up Petedge and purchase your grooming supplies from them. They stand behind their products and no hassle if you have to return an item.

Hope this helps.

[Doodlebug]

Great info. Thanks.

[amspoelstra]

Thank you for the information. I returned the clipper set yesterday and touched up her hair with regular scissors. I may get a better set later. Thank you again for the excellent info.

[linkay12003]

Your more than welcome!!!!! If you have any more questions regarding grooming...just give me a shout.

Linda

[bsabbot]

ok linklay, i have a question for you now, is it nec to have both trimmer and clipper? if you are going for a med length cut -not long but not short?
I assume you just need to trim the potty area, feet and ears if you werent shaving them down... so you would probably only need the peanut trimmer then right?
?thanks!

[ARCHIE]

Is the peanut trimmer the same a moustache trimmer?
I have the Whal moustach trimmer and do Bud's pads, sanitary areas.
How do you do the legs? That has me baffled.

Thank you for your professioal information. It is very helpfu.


Carol & Buddy

[MyTrixie143]

There is a 15 piece Andis set at Target. I love Andis and just bought the one at Target after my old old one died.
The attachement combs can leave the hair looking choppy at times. What I do is use an attachement comb and then go through with scissors making sure everything is all neat and even. For the head and face I just use scissors but I will use the shaver for the ears. For their privates I use either a small mustache trimmer or scissors except for the boys, I shave their stomachs because they pee on themselves all the time.

The only thing I can't get quite right is the feet. Can someone post a link or even a picture of your yorkie's feet trimmed up?? I can't seem to shape them right.

[linkay12003]

I would suggest a peanut trimmer and also buy a pair of Andis. The peanut will take care of the pads of the feet, can also be used on the ears...but they make a little more noise than the Andis clipper. I use a #40 blade on the Andis for the ears. Shave inside and out.

The peanut is easy to manuever in small areas, such as pads of feet. You can use the Andis with a #40 blade for the pads of feet, but its harder to go in and out of the tight spaces. The peanut is well worth the money.

I would not recommend the peanut for potty area or belly area. Unless you use a very light touch in these areas with a trimmer, such as the peanut - you risk razor burn and skin irritation. I use a #15 blade for potty trim and belly hair.

On the legs, round off around the feet with scissors. Comb all the hair on the legs to one side, trim to desired length (vertically), then switch and comb to the opposite side and repeat. Repeat as needed for desired length. Comb and trim any stray hairs that I call "sticky outies". This method is the easiest and works pretty good.

You can use like a #4 blade and do a reverse cut on the legs, if you want them fairly short. By reverse, I mean shave up the leg, not down. You'll get a smooth cut everytime. This method with a #4 will leave the hair on the leg fairly short but not shaved looking. I do alot of summer cuts this way for customers.

[bsabbot]

wow. this is great, thanks so much

[psugorilladdr]

linkay12003 I pm'd you...