Trimming a Puppy's Facial Hair

Regular grooming of puppies keeps them healthy and clean, avoiding matted hair and yeast infections. Grooming includes bathing, combing and trimming of facial hair and nails. Home grooming is easy and convenient and less expensive than taking your dog to a professional dog groomer. However, trimming facial hair can be difficult, especially if the puppy is tense and anxious.

  1. Reduce Anxiety

    • Taking your dog for a long walk before the process helps it relax and makes it more cooperative during the grooming process. It is worth training your dog to lie down peacefully on the grooming table. You should start training your dog on this aspect as early as possible. In the meanwhile, you can place a doggie treat or a toy in front of him while you cut his facial hair. You can also get another person to hold the puppy while you are on the job.

    Wet Brushing

    • Dry brushing attracts static electricity and makes hair stick together. This leads to hair breakage. Spray the coat with water and brush the hair with a slicker brush. Brush the hair down for easier trimming. Make sure to push the hair away from the dog's eyes. You can also use a face comb for facial hair since a brush may scratch the puppy and cause eye-damage.

    Clipping

    • Clippers come with different snap-on attachments and are preferred over scissors, as they trim the hair uniformly. Keep the clipper flat on the puppy̵7;s coat and ensure not to push it into the skin since the facial area is quite sensitive for your pup. Aim the clipper away from his eyes for trimming the upper brow. Face the clipper down toward the dog̵7;s mouth or floor to cut along the muzzle. Place the clipper head firmly against the dog̵7;s forehead. The blades should face the nose to start clipping between the eyes. Move on to clip his beard by gently holding his head up toward the ceiling. The blades should face the dog's throat, and run the clippers toward the throat.

    Finishing Touches

    • Use a pair of blunt, rounded-scissors to trim the leftover hair. Lock the ear tip to position the coat above your fingers to cut it with blunt scissors. Repeat the process for both the ears. Clipper edges tend to get hot upon continuous use and can burn your puppy̵7;s skin. Use clipper lubricant or coolant to prevent the blades from getting too hot and to avoid burning the skin. Ensure to wipe off the lubricant at the end of the grooming session.