How to Cut the Hair of a Shih Tzu Without the Tension
Studying how to cut the hair of a shih tzu is an ability that saves you a ton of money and assists you bond along with your little lion dog. If you've ever looked with your shih tzu after a month of hair development and thought they looked more like a discarded mop than a puppy, you aren't on your own. These dogs possess hair that simply doesn't stop, and while professional groomers are great, it's totally possible to handle the maintenance at home if a person have a little patience and the right tools.
The biggest challenge for most proprietors is the concern of "messing up. " Here's the secret: it's just hair. It expands back. Even when your first try results in a slightly lopsided "teddy bear" look, your dog won't care as long since they're comfortable and can see clearly. Plus, doing the work your self means you may make fractures when your puppy gets wiggly, that is a luxury best groomers don't possess.
Getting the Right Gear Before you begin
You can't just grab a pair of kitchen scissors and expect the best. Properly, you could , however it would be a disaster for the coat and possibly dangerous for the dog. To create the process simple, you'll want a decent set of electric clippers. A person don't need the $300 professional version, but don't purchase the cheapest ones on the corner either—they tend to snag and pull the hair.
Look for clippers that will come with various guard combs. These types of guards are your best friend due to the fact they ensure a person don't accidentally get rid of your shih tzu bald. You'll furthermore need a pair of grooming scissors (preferably with rounded safety methods for the face), a slicker brush, and a metal "greyhound" comb. Oh, and treats. Plenty of high-value treats. In the event that your dog acquaintances the buzz of the clippers with a piece of chicken, your living becomes ten periods easier.
The All-Important Prep Function
The greatest mistake people make is trying to cut a dirty or tangled coat. If you try to run clippers by means of a mat, you're going to draw on the pores and skin, and your doggie is going to decide then plus there that grooming is the most severe thing ever.
Start along with a thorough cleaning. Use your slicker brush to cope with the bulk of the coat, after that follow up along with the metal brush. If the brush can't slide by means of from the epidermis to the tips, you've still got tangles. Once the tangles are out, give them a bath. Clean hair is much simpler to cut plus won't dull your own clipper blades because fast. Make certain they are 100% dried out prior to you start cutting off. Clipping damp hair is a formula for an bumpy, choppy mess.
Beginning with the Entire body
When you're ready to really start the hair cut, it's usually greatest to begin with the body. Many owners prefer a "puppy cut, " which is fundamentally keeping the hair at an uniform length of in relation to a couple of inches. Pick a guard comb that matches the length you need and start in the base of the neck.
Always move the clippers in the path of hair growth . If a person not in favor of the grain, you'll end upward with a significantly shorter cut compared to you intended. Work your way straight down the back and sides. Take very long, smooth strokes. Don't worry about the legs or the tail just however; focus on getting the "trunk" of the dog looking actually. If your shih tzu is nervous, keep one hand on them at all instances to steady all of them. It's a calming touch that enables them know you're right there.
Managing the Legs and Belly
The legs can become tricky because shih tzus have all those cute, sturdy little limbs they enjoy to take away. We find it's easiest to hold the paw gently and work the clippers down towards the floor. For the belly, be extra careful. The skin there is really thin and unfastened. You might desire to switch to a slightly more guard or just use scissors to organised up the "skirt" area in case you aren't confident with the clippers near the sensitive spots.
Tackling the Encounter and Head
This is the part that can make everyone nervous. Shih tzus have all those beautiful, expressive eyes, but they also provide hair that grows directly into all of them. To cut the hair on the face, you'll would like to switch to your safety-tip scissors.
First, comb all the facial hair ahead. Carefully trim close to the eyes so they have a clear field of vision. A good trick for the "mustache" is to comb it down and trim within a semi-circle to get that traditional rounded look. If you're feeling brave, you can use the clippers upon the top of the head, yet most people discover it easier to use scissors to blend the head hair into the neck.
Pro tip: If your dog is a "wiggler, " wait around until they are usually a bit tired after a lengthy walk before trying to trim near their eyes. Security is the concern here.
Those Tiny Paws plus the Sanitary Trim
Don't overlook the "beans! " Hair grows like crazy between a shih tzu's foot pads. If it gets too long, they'll lose traction upon hardwood floors and begin sliding around such as they're on glaciers. Use your scissors (carefully! ) to trim the hair flush with the pads.
The "sanitary trim" is the additional "not-so-fun" part of the job. This particular involves trimming the hair around the private areas plus the base of the tail. It's not about looks; it's about hygiene. Keeping this hair short prevents "danglers" and keeps things clean if they move outside. Many people make use of a short safeguard on the clippers for this, but again, if your canine is jumpy, scissors tend to be safer as long as you move slowly.
Finishing Touches and Style
Once you've gone more than the whole dog, you'll probably notice some stray fur sticking out every now and then. This is where your metal comb comes back into play. Comb the hair "up" or even "out" and discover where the bumpy bits are. Use your scissors to snip off those stragglers.
The tail is usually left longer on a shih tzu, but it still needs a trim. Comb this out and trim the ends to maintain it from dragging on the terrain and picking up burrs or dust. If you want that classic "fountain" look on the head, you can leave the topknot long and use a small hair tie, several proprietors find it simpler to just keep the "bangs" brief.
Keeping Your pup Calm Throughout
If your dog starts getting stressed, end . There is usually no rule stating you have to finish the entire haircut in one sitting. Sometimes I'll do the body in the morning and save the face for the evening. If they happen to be obtaining snappy or shaking, give them a break.
Make the grooming area comfortable. I like to put a non-slip mat on the top of a desk so they feel secure. If these people feel like they're going to slide, they'll tense upward, which makes it harder for you to get a straight cut. Talk to them in a calm, content voice. Tell them they're doing a best wishes, even if they're being a little bit of a pill.
Dealing with Mistakes
You're going to create mistakes. You might slip and take a chunk out there of the make, or one ear canal might end up slightly shorter than the other. It's okay! Your shih tzu doesn't appear in the looking glass and cry. They will just want to be clean plus cool.
If you do nick the skin, don't panic. Keep some styptic powder (or even cornstarch) nearby to stop any minimal bleeding. Usually, it's just a tiny scratch, but it's good to become prepared. If you've made a visible "oops" in the coat, just try out to blend it in with the surrounding hair using thinning shears if you have them. If not really, just leave this alone. In 2 weeks, it'll grow out with no one will ever know.
Wrapping it Up
After the cut is completed, give your canine a final once-over with the comb. This helps remove any loose hair that was cut yet is still hanging out in the coat—this prevents it through shedding all over your couch five minutes later.
Learning how to cut the hair of a shih tzu is definitely definitely a "practice makes perfect" type of thing. Each time you do it, you'll get faster, and your dog will certainly get more utilized to the schedule. Give them a final treat, a big hug, plus let them go display off their new look. They'll sense much lighter and much more comfortable, and you'll feel like a pro for performing it yourself.