Gabe came from a breeder who was raising him for show so he's used to being groomed (even though he hates it). I have no problem with the bathing and the brushing. Trimming his nails is also a cakewalk. It's too bad that his MOM is completely inept at trimming the hair around and under his feet! Anyone have any tips for the new girl?
Trimming Feet
- Thread starter Linz583
- Start date
LuvMySable
Forums Regular
I got one of those little battery-powered safety trimmers like the barber uses for the backs of men's necks. I was scared to death to use scissors between the paw pads. Jack can be wiggly and I didn't want to hurt him. I just make sure to use the trimmer outside on the deck, since it makes 'fur dust.' Don't need any more of that in the house! Anyway the trimmer was inexpensive, something like $14 in Target. Hope this helps!
Thanks!
I've been using scissors for the hair between the pads and, like you, I always worry about cutting him when he wiggles unexpectedly. The clippers may be worth a shot. I work at a vet's office so we have all the grooming supplies there, I just need to learn how to use them properly!
I've been using scissors for the hair between the pads and, like you, I always worry about cutting him when he wiggles unexpectedly. The clippers may be worth a shot. I work at a vet's office so we have all the grooming supplies there, I just need to learn how to use them properly!
I'm somewhat obsessed with the cute little cat-foot look! I think it is adorable, and it is so easy to maintain.
I use a battery operated women's personal razor ($20 at any drug store!) for the hair on the bottom of the feet. They are nice because they don't get hot and are designed for female personal areas so are quite gentle. Usually quite small and maneuverable, too.
As for trimming the hair on the top and sides of the paws, you just need a small pair of blunt nosed scissors, a pair of thinning shears, and a small slicker brush.
With the slicker brush, brush the hair on the top of the paw backwards so it is standing up. With the thinning shears, trim the long hair as short as you would like. Then with the small blunt nosed scissors, trim the hair around the nails even and round.
TA-DA! Cute cat-feet!
I do one big grooming session each week, including stripping, brushing, feet and ears. This week I will try to remember to take pictures as I do the feet so that it will show the steps a bit better. Once you get the hang of it, it only takes a couple of minutes to do. And no rogue toe hair (a personal pet peeve
)
I use a battery operated women's personal razor ($20 at any drug store!) for the hair on the bottom of the feet. They are nice because they don't get hot and are designed for female personal areas so are quite gentle. Usually quite small and maneuverable, too.
As for trimming the hair on the top and sides of the paws, you just need a small pair of blunt nosed scissors, a pair of thinning shears, and a small slicker brush.
With the slicker brush, brush the hair on the top of the paw backwards so it is standing up. With the thinning shears, trim the long hair as short as you would like. Then with the small blunt nosed scissors, trim the hair around the nails even and round.
TA-DA! Cute cat-feet!
I do one big grooming session each week, including stripping, brushing, feet and ears. This week I will try to remember to take pictures as I do the feet so that it will show the steps a bit better. Once you get the hang of it, it only takes a couple of minutes to do. And no rogue toe hair (a personal pet peeve
)OntarioSheltie
Forums Celebrity
Help!
I've been trimming between Sadie's toes with blunt nosed scissors which seems to work very well. I might just look into a woman's personal shaver, I hadn't thought of it before.
As for trimming the top...I'm not very good. I tried the technique you're talking about and it looked terrible, I'm doing something wrong.
I can make it look passable and its at least practicle but I'd love the 'cat feet' look that my parent's sheltie has when he gets home from the groomer.
I'd love to see some photos as you're trimming your dog's feet!
I'm somewhat obsessed with the cute little cat-foot look! I think it is adorable, and it is so easy to maintain.
I use a battery operated women's personal razor ($20 at any drug store!) for the hair on the bottom of the feet. They are nice because they don't get hot and are designed for female personal areas so are quite gentle. Usually quite small and maneuverable, too.
As for trimming the hair on the top and sides of the paws, you just need a small pair of blunt nosed scissors, a pair of thinning shears, and a small slicker brush.
With the slicker brush, brush the hair on the top of the paw backwards so it is standing up. With the thinning shears, trim the long hair as short as you would like. Then with the small blunt nosed scissors, trim the hair around the nails even and round.
TA-DA! Cute cat-feet!
I do one big grooming session each week, including stripping, brushing, feet and ears. This week I will try to remember to take pictures as I do the feet so that it will show the steps a bit better. Once you get the hang of it, it only takes a couple of minutes to do. And no rogue toe hair (a personal pet peeve
I've been trimming between Sadie's toes with blunt nosed scissors which seems to work very well. I might just look into a woman's personal shaver, I hadn't thought of it before.
As for trimming the top...I'm not very good. I tried the technique you're talking about and it looked terrible, I'm doing something wrong.
I can make it look passable and its at least practicle but I'd love the 'cat feet' look that my parent's sheltie has when he gets home from the groomer.
I'd love to see some photos as you're trimming your dog's feet!
Thursday is Foot Day, as Gio has therapy dog visits on Friday so I get the tedious stuff out of the way early. I took a couple of pictures as I went. Since I do the boy's feet once a week, they don't get too scruffy. It may be hard to tell the difference in the pictures, but I tried to make it as best I could.
I laid it all out on my blog. You can see it in the August 14, 2008 entry.
http://sheltie-hair.blogspot.com
Enjoy!
I laid it all out on my blog. You can see it in the August 14, 2008 entry.
http://sheltie-hair.blogspot.com
Enjoy!
mcguiregirl2248
Forums Enthusiast
Love the blog! That is a great place for people to go and learn how to do it properly! I have been using scissors on the bottoms of my girls feet but I'm thinking that I need to invest in the personal razor!
OntarioSheltie
Forums Celebrity
Thanks So Much!
That was very informative and I really appreciate all of your detail. I have an idea now of what I've been doing wrong. Its been a couple of weeks since I last hacked up...I mean trimmed
Sadie's feet so I should be able to give your advice a try soon!
That was very informative and I really appreciate all of your detail. I have an idea now of what I've been doing wrong. Its been a couple of weeks since I last hacked up...I mean trimmed
Sadie's feet so I should be able to give your advice a try soon!
OntarioSheltie
Forums Celebrity
I forgot to mention how funny dogs can be. I have a cheap shaver at home that I tried to use to trim the fur growing between the pads on her paws but she was afraid of the noise it made, particularly when it it the hair (it gets a bit louder). Sadie however has no problem letting me use a dremel on her nails, she actually dozes off when I'm using it! The dremel isn't very loud but I think its a bit louder than the razor!