LIFESTYLE

Dog Grooming // DIY // Groom Your Pet At Home // Miniature Schnauzers

On June 4, 2020
By Kimberly

After ordering bread flour and yeast, reorganizing closets, starting a garden, learning how to use a LED lamp for gel nails, and binge-watching “Tiger King,” my attention turned to the unruly coats of our two miniature Schnauzers, and I decided I needed to brush up on my dog grooming skills.

Dog Grooming Phase of Quarantine

Ten weeks into WFH – “work from home,” apparently I entered the dog grooming phase of my self-quarantine. Jack and Abby were in dire need.

This was about the fifth time I’ve groomed our two sweet pups. Each time, I get a little better at it. Once, they were so matted that I resorted to an all-over “#2 cut.” My husband was horrified.

By #2, I mean the spacer devices called “combs” that allow you to cut a dog’s (or human) hair at a consistent length. The higher the number, the higher the hair is how I remember the system. The #2 is 1/4″, or 6mm, while the #5 is 5/8″, or 16 mm.

Their Last Grooming

My fourth grooming adventure was a couple months ago back in the Winter. Our two like to be outside during the day, so I left their backs long and trimmed everything else – the exact opposite of a true Schnauzer cut!

They looked like miniature alpacas. Once their fur started forming dreadlocks this week, I decided it was time for a good trim. Jack is the slightly larger dog with shorter tail and longer ears. Abby has a longer tail and shorter ears, and is smaller.

Best Results Yet!

Pet grooming must be one of those skills where practice makes better, because every time I do it, they look just a little more like real Schnauzers.

My Tricks

My tricks are to use a great clipper, leave-in conditioner from Stream2Sea, sharp scissors, and an inspo picture for your breed. That’s it! Most important is the example picture so you know what you’re trying to achieve.

Start with longer combs first, then work your way to shorter combs is my technique.

I know that the only person who can trim our dogs’ nails is the professional groomer, so we’ve been doing a lot of walking on the road to keep their nails in check. In desperation, I could do one nail a day per dog for ten days. Our dogs just don’t like having their nails trimmed one bit. I’ve tried a couple types of trimmers and even the sanding wheel on my Dremel tool!

Don’t Do These Things

Don’t start with the shortest comb – try longer ones, then go shorter.
Never trim places you can’t see.
Use your fingers to find their thin skin around the legs.
Avoid cutting toward ears – they are thin and can be nipped. Cut from base toward the tips, using your fingers to guide the trimmer.

10 Weird Things That Work

I turn on a fan and blow it at us – that accomplishes two things. First, I don’t get dog hair in my mouth. Second, the noise distracts them from what you are doing. Or, use your vacuum exhaust port aimed at you.
Take breaks. Either go back and forth between two dogs, or between walking and trimming. In the beginning, it might take you a long time.
Do it outside. Easier clean up. Keep a box nearby for the large clumps.
Suspend leash from a hook above so you can get all around the dog.
If you have two dogs, see if they like watching each other and can help distract each other from what you are doing.
Leave-in conditioner. I used Stream2Sea because it’s safe for the water, and everything that goes down your drain ends up somewhere.
Wash one day, trim the next. That way, they aren’t too overwhelmed, and you don’t have to be hunched over all day.
If possible, put dog up on a table or chair so you don’t have to bend over. Of course, never leave the dog there unattended! They might fall off! I have a hook on my porch that I can use to keep them in one place, either on the deck or on a chair or table on the deck.
For really bad knots, take all the combs off the trimmer and very very carefully release those. Or, use scissors to cut them out – watch the skin!
Buy a decent trimmer. Oil it according to the directions. Replace blades when needed. Check that it has a long cord. Read the reviews. I purchased the Wahl U-Clip Deluxe in 2017 and it’s still doing great. It has a red box. Our human hair trimmer is in a black box. Very convenient so I don’t get them mixed up!

The cat was eyeing the WAHL box! Ha ha ha.

Mentioned or Shown

Stream2Sea Leave-in Conditioner; use code “DeepWH” for 10% off.
Wahl Professional Animal Deluxe U-Clip Pet, Dog, & Cat Clipper & Grooming Kit (#9484-300), Red and ChromeU-Clip Deluxe
FLEXI 16′ Retractable Leash for dogs up To 44 lbs (we’ve tried several – this one does not tangle or fail to retract.)
PetSafe Sure-Fit Harness, Adjustable Dog Harness from the Makers of the Easy Walk Harness
Dazer II Ultrasonic Aggressive Dog Deterrent Repeller Dazzer – we carry this on walks (and bike rides!) to keep other dogs away.
RIDGID 14-Gal. 6.0 Peak HP Wet/Dry Vac with Auto Detailing Kit

I Don’t Go Anywhere Without

Stream2Sea Reef Safe SPF 20 or 30 mineral, regular or tinted sunscreen, mask defog, shampoo, conditioner, rash guards and more reef-safe supplies. Use my code “DeepWH” for 10% off.
Crisis Medicine Tactical Casualty Care Course knowledge so we can help ourselves. With code “DeepWH” you save 20% on the TC2 course
MyMedic Individual Bleeding Control Kits, this link and my code “DeepWH15” will save you 15% on your purchase. We take ours everywhere.
North American Rescue CAT tourniquets. Use code “MAY25” for 20% off through midnight on 5/31/20. This is a huge savings!
Airbnb, “Kimberly gave you up to $55 off your first trip.”
Airbnb says, “Deep gave you up to $415 off your first adventure.
Uber gives you $2 off your first three rides.
Travelex is our trip insurer – click for a free quote.
Girls That Scuba – members discount card for all things diving.
REI Co-op for great sports equipment and travel clothes.
Sailo for $100 off your next boat rental! Discount Code: “KimWa1”
PierShare to rent your dock out or rent a dock.
BoatUS for your boat towing insurance! Code: “HEWAF88”
RoadId for $5 off your cycling/running/kayaking/travel id.
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