The Poodles Grooming Requirements
Grooming is the most expensive and challenging part of owning a poodle. Good grooming is important for all dogs, but it is absolutely essential for poodles. A well-groomed poodle will not only look his/her best, but good grooming helps prevent skin, coat, dental and other health problems.
It is often said “Poodles are non-shedding and hypo-allergenic.” Well, poodles do shed, but the loose hair stays in the coat rather than falling out in the house. In order to keep your poodles coat from becoming a matted mess, you must brush and comb her several times a week.
As for being hypo-allergenic, many people with allergies have no problems living with a poodle because the poodle does not develop dander which is what often causes the allergic reaction.
The hair of a poodle never stops growing, therefore a full clipping every six to eight weeks is required. You can have your poodle groomed by a professional or learn how to groom the poodle yourself.
Please remember that your poodle breeder can be a good source of information.
Home Grooming
Doing a complete grooming at home can be quite a task, but if you have a do-it-yourself nature, you might want to learn how. Not only is home grooming less expensive, people who enjoy grooming their poodles often build an even closer bond with them.
If you think you'd like to try grooming your own poodle, you will need to learn how to shave and scissor your poodle, and learn which blades to use. If you don't have any friends who groom poodles, try to find a professional groomer who is willing to teach you, enroll in an adult-education or correspondence course or buy a grooming video or book.
A lot of work goes into making a poodle look like a poodle. Grooming is time-consuming and requires patience, and your poodle may have some “bad hair days” as you learn and become more comfortable with the grooming techniques. Remember, no mistakes are permanent, poodle hair always grows back.
You will have to invest in good-quality scissors and electric clippers. A grooming table with a nonslip surface is helpful, or use a steady table with a nonslip bath mat. Poor equipment can cause injury to your poodle, so your grooming tools (clipper blades, brushes, combs, and nail clippers) should be in good condition and replaced when necessary. A terrific book that explains the grooming process is “Poodle Clipping and Grooming” by Shirlee Kalstone.
Choosing A Professional Groomer
You want a gentle groomer who doesn't speak harshly, likes your dog and who seems to enjoy the animals she/he grooms. You also want a groomer who listens to what you have to say about your dog’s haircut.
When it comes to selecting a groomer, word of mouth is important. Keep your eye out for well-groomed poodles, when you see one, ask the owner who their groomer is. Ask your friends, family, veterinarian and breeder.
Visit the groomers you are considering, assess the general environment, cleanliness and noise-level of the shop. Pay attention to how the groomer interacts with the dogs.
When going to a groomers, it's can be natural for your poodle to be a little distressed about being left behind by you.
In Between Full Groomings
Even if you take your poodle to a professional grooming there are some things you will have take care of at home.
Brushing Your Poodle
Brushing is essential to keeping the Poodles coat tangle free and prevent matting. It helps to distribute the skin’s natural oils, increases skin circulation and it feels good to your Poodle.
The time you spend brushing your Poodle increases the bond between you and your dog. This is also a good time to check your dog over for sores, skin inflammation, and lumps.
Poodles do shed some, but the loose hair stays in the coat and mats rather than falling out.
A thorough brushing and combing twice a week is usually sufficient. First put your Poodle on a non-slip surface. Start brushing at the hindquarters, move to hind legs, front legs, body, and then to the head and ears.
A slicker brush is needed to pull dead hairs and mats out of the Poodles coat. A pin brush is preferred for the ears, topknot, or any other long areas because they are less likely to tear or break the hair.
After your Poodle is brushed, use a metal comb to detect snarls that may have been missed.
Bathing Your Poodle
Poodles can be bathed as often as once a week. Bathe the Poodle in warm water and use a mild dog shampoo.
Once your dog is in the tub, saturate the dog with warm water. Make sure your Poodle is wet to the skin. Poodles have a dense coat and were bred as water dogs so this may take several minutes.
Shampoo twice and rinse thoroughly, leaving any shampoo residue in the coat irritates the skin. Using a conditioner is recommended for a poodle with sensitive skin and can be helpful in getting all the shampoo out of the coat.
Left to air dry the Poodle's coat will be curly. For a smooth fluffed look, brush with a soft slicker brush or pin brush as you are drying with a blow dryer.
Caring For Your Poodles Ears
The Poodle grows hair inside the ear canal which can block air flow and result in infections.
There are many opinions regarding ear care, from removing all the hair in the ear to not removing any hair at all. Follow your veterinarian’s or breeder’s advice. Many recommend removing most of the hair to increase air flow and prevent infection.
If it is recommended to you to remover the hair inside the ear, using an ear powder makes the ear hair easier to grab and remove. Apply a small amount of ear powder inside the ear. Hold the ear flap back with one hand while you gently pluck the hair with your thumb and forefinger of your other hand.
After you have pulled the ear hair, wipe the ear out with a dry cotton ball, or one slightly moistened an ear cleaner product available from your veterinarian or from your groomers.
Healthy ears are clean, free of debris, without odor, and will not need a lot of cleaning.
Cleaning a dirty ear, one that is filled with wax or debris, does require some looking after. Dampen a cotton ball with an ear cleaner (available at your vets or groomers). Hold the ear flap with one hand and wipe with the other. Wipe gently into the ear and wipe out all crevices and folds. It may take several cotton balls. Check your Poodle’s ears often to ensure they are clean and healthy. If in doubt, please seek advice from your Veterinarian.
Check Your Poodles Eyes Daily
Tear stains caused by excessive tearing can occur in Poodles. In light colored Poodles the staining appears reddish brown.
Wiping your poodle eyes every day can minimize tear stains and prevent matter from building up and hardening, causing irritation and sores.
With a water moistened cotton ball, gently wipe the corners of eyes to remove tears and debris. If you notice redness, inflammation, or cloudiness, please call your veterinarian.
Dental Care Is Important
Your Poodle needs dental care – regular, professional care from your veterinarian, as well as care at home from you.
Dogs teeth need to be cleaned at least once a week, although daily is better. Wipe the teeth with a soft cloth, gauze or use a soft bristled toothbrush and doggy toothpaste.
Clipping Your Poodles Nails
How often your Poodles nails need trimmed varies with the dog. It is best to keep the nails clipped so they do not touch the ground when your poodle is standing.
Over-grown nails that touch the ground, put pressure on the base of the nail and can be painful. In any dog, exceptionally long nails can distort the paw, causing pain with every step.
There are several types of nail clippers, small or medium-size clippers work well for Toy and Miniature Poodles, large or heavy-duty are better suited for Standard Poodles.
It is a good idea to have styptic powder, in case you clip too close and the nail bleeds. To trim the nails, hold the paw firmly in one hand. Place your thumb on top of the foot and fingers underneath to spread the toes.
With your other hand, clip the nails, one at a time. Remove any sharp edges with a few swipes of a file.
At first, you may want to trim only the nail tips to avoid cutting down to the quick. If you cut the nail too short or the quick has grown too long, your Poodle may yelp, but try not to panic. Keeping hold of the paw, apply styptic powder to the bleeding nail and press. Hold until bleeding stops.
Basic tools needed for Regular Maintenance Grooming
Slicker Brush
Pin Brush
Comb
Ear Powder
Ear Cleanser
Nail Clippers or Nail Grinder