Let me start by saying, hats off to professional dog groomers. The last time I took my two Golden Doodles to the groomers, I was almost $300 lighter, I appreciate a professionals patience and skill, but in today’s economy I was willing to order a pet grooming kit off off Amazon, the oneisall Dog Vacuum & Dryer for Shedding GroomingDIY Dog Grooming: My First Experience with My Doodles – and figure it out. If you’re going in, you’re really going all in.
I decided to tackle the project myself and ordered a grooming kit that was on sale. Now, I had no instructions, just the will to learn, and a bunch of YouTube videos. Let me tell you, watching grooming videos and actually grooming a Doodle are two different things! Doodles have fur that grows in all sorts of directions, just like a human’s head of hair.
My (Non-Conventional) Process:
Most grooming guides will recommend you bathe and dry your dog first completely, brush them out and then use clippers. But I decided to try the clippers right away before washing. Why? I figured that getting a layer of fur off would make the drying process easier later. And for the most part, it worked. I clipped off the first layer of fur and then gave them a good wash and dry before doing a second, more thorough pass with the clippers.
For doodles like mine, paying attention to the different size guards on the clippers is important. It determines how much fur you’re leaving. The grooming kit I used had a feature similar to the Flowbee from the ‘80s—it sucked up the hair as I clipped, which was a lifesaver for keeping the area tidy. By the end of the session, I had filled four huge containers with dog hair! I even put the hair outside for the birds to use for their nests.
The Outcome:
My dogs didn’t end up bald (huge win!) and they look much better now. It was a far cry from the first time I attempted to groom my old dog Ellie, who ended uneven and embarrassed for two months. This time, my Doodles look good, feel good, and are happy, and I’m sure I will get better over time.
I also learned a few things along the way. For example, it’s super important to get them used to the sensation of grooming. I made sure to let my dogs sniff the grooming tools for a day or so before actually using them. We turned on the clippers so they could get familiar with the sound and vibration. No pressure, no rush—just some time for them to get comfortable.
What I Wish I Knew Before:
The hardest part for me? Figuring out where my dogs were going to stand and how to secure them in a way that kept us both comfortable. You’ll want to think about this if you’re going to attempt grooming your own dog. It’s important to create a space where both you and your dog are calm and confident.
Basic Dog Grooming Tips:
- Prepare your dog: Let your dog sniff and hear the grooming tools before you start.
- Use the right clippers and guards: Doodle fur grows in all directions, so use the appropriate clipper guard size.
- First pass, then wash: I clipped first to remove excess fur, then washed and dried before going in for a second pass.
- Be patient: Your dog might get restless, but taking it slow will help them feel more comfortable.
- Watch tutorials: There are some great TikTok and YouTube creators who specialize in dog grooming—highly recommend checking them out, but do what works for you. I found a solution, but it’s not the textbook way.
Wrapping Up:
All in all, it was a successful experience, and I’ll definitely keep grooming them myself. It’s a learning curve, but with the right tools, patience, and some great online tutorials, you can do it too!
Have any grooming tips? Drop them in the comments!