First Grooming Attempt :(
 

Finally today, it could be put off no more. Ben and Sadie looked more like sheepdogs than Yorkies. I lost my last Yorkie at a groomers, so I have vowed to learn to do this myself. How hard could it be? Well......these two turned into wild stallions fully willing to buck my scissors, clippers and comb from their little bodies. I got Sadie's feet and booty area. But she rebelled big time when it came to her ears. And I had planned to trim her face up as the hair just seems to grow straight in her eyes. She ran into the sliding glass door yesterday and hubby said "get that hair out of her eyes!" But there was no way -- she twisted and turned like some sort of slippery eel. I wasn't going to risk going near her eyes with pointed scissors. Wish I had bought some round tip ones. So, we left her partially done for the day and on to Ben.

Ben's topknot hair is so fine, nothing has stayed in more than 10 minutes, so it all hangs down in his eyes. I decided to cut it off. I cut it once and it looked like a little visor, so I cut it again and now it looks ridiculous. :( On to his ears and he too started to squirm. How can a 3 pound dog overpower me? So, now I have two partially groomed dogs that look too silly to even take a pic. So my job tomorrow is to find a groomer that will let me stay and that is willing to fix my mess. This is way harder than I imagined. But I just will not leave them with a groomer. Wish we had one of those mobile groomers here.

It's not easy! Cricket used to fight me and carry on like I was killing her. I just kept working with her a bit everyday. You want the session to end on a high note and when you have been successful. I always give a special treat when grooming time is over and make a big fuss about how beautiful they are. It does get easier with practise and it helps to start them young.

On Ben's topknot visor thing, there is a way to fix it so it blends in. Use the blending/thinning shears and gradually blend back into the head. Cutting close to the scalp closer to the eyes and graduating back.

I replied about Ben's hair in my post with Pheona's pics Debra. I had a story to share about loosing the top knot too....don't worry, it WILL grow back :-)

I'm sorry I'm laughing! Sound like some of my poeple that bring thier yorkies to me and they have mess them up ! Can you fix my mess! I just laught and try and fix them! Puppies or first timer most of the time it takes two poelpe to do them! So don't feel bad! You have to do alot of talking to them and firm hold! Good luck in getting a groomer to let you stay! lily

Thanks -- I will give that a try. He is sleeping right now. I think I wore him out.

Thanks for the encouragement Tami -- maybe I can try again. This was the first attempt at more than nails and ear trimming so maybe we all 3 just need to get used to this a little more each time.

I will bounce back over there and check it out -- will give me another chance to see those great pics of Pheona!

Surprised you aren't sleeping too,,,,,as I think he wore you out. It does get better with time.

I just love the new puppies that are brought to me for their 1st grooming. It's always a 3 ring circus.....Along about their 3rd visit, they get settled in pretty well.

LOL -- I am a little tuckered now that you mention it. I have a whole new respect for groomers! Maggie was older when we got her and just a much calmer dog -- I cut her short a couple of times when hurricanes left us without power for weeks. But this was a whole new ballgame! What was really funny is our Jack Russell -- she is so protective and was sure I was hurting her Yorkies. She checked them over really well when I let them down.

I think me and my husband laughed a little at ourselves too -- so not to worry. :D I hope I find someone as willing as you! So, do you not let folks stay either? I know most here do not want people to stay but I won't leave them again. I would be a nervous wreck. I lost our little Maggie at the groomers and promised I would never leave these two. Believe me, I do know I am being illogical to think something like that would happen again or that the groomers would not take excellent care, but the feeling is there and it won't budge. Just could not leave them.

As the day has worn on, these guys really don't look all that bad. Sadie has one ear that looks more square than pointed (did not quite finish trimming the long hair) and Ben has a cowlick thing going on but all in all no one would send them away without dinner. So, maybe I will play around a little more tomorrow and see if I can get closer to what I want.

I usually don't like owners to stay, just because their baby is harder to handle when parents are around. However, when they get settled in and better trained, I insist they stay so they can get some pointers on how to keep them maintained between groomings.

what do you mean " I lost my yorkie at a groomer's"? literally? i don't understand. I do understand, however, how hard it is to clip these little guys. Mine won't even hold still for their bath let alone clipping them. LOL...and my groomer always gets their hair wrong. i hate it. :(

Be of good cheer, Deb, it's hair and it grows back! Everyone had to learn somewhere.Check out this website: http://www.ytca.org/grooming_clips1.html and remember practise makes perfect.

I've been known to give mine a 5 minute break inbetween every 5 minutes of me cutting or clipping.

They need the break, and will come right back to me when breaktime is over with.

Takes some time to get it right. Nobody does this perfect on the first attempt!