Grooming Poodle Paws

Poodles are distinctive looking dogs that are high maintenance for grooming. Rather than typical dog fur, this breed has hair that grows constantly. This means that poodles need regular and thorough grooming. The poodle's feet need special attention when grooming, as does the face and tail.

  1. Clippers

    • Proper equipment is required when grooming a poodle at home. It is important to invest in a decent set of clippers, since these allow for quicker and more comfortable trimming. Some dogs don't like the sound of the clippers, so the less time they are on, the better. You will also need equipment for maintaining the clippers, such as blade wash, oil, disinfectant spray and an old toothbrush to remove hair. A size 10 or 15 blade is needed for the feet, face and tail and is ideal for a dog with sensitive skin.

    Preparation

    • Before trimming the feet, the poodle should be brushed, combed and bathed. The average poodle requires brushing every other day, but this can be adjusted for the needs of the individual dog. After brushing, a comb should be run through the hair to ensure all tangles have been removed, as bathing a tangled coat will result in matting. Ensure all shampoo is removed when bathing, because it can irritate the dog's skin. Finally, make sure the dog is completely dry before clipping.

    Trimming

    • If left to grow, the hair on a poodle's feet can become dirty and matted, and pick up burs that will be uncomfortable for the dog. Use the clippers to trim between the large pad and the smaller pads. It is not necessary to trim behind the large pad at the back of the foot. Still focusing on the underside of the foot, separate the toes and trim carefully in between them. Move to the top of the foot and trim as far as where the foot joins the leg and between the toes. Bear in mind that the clippers may tickle the dog's toes, especially when trimming in between, so use patience when trimming.

    Checking

    • After the feet have been clipped, the nails should be trimmed. Long nails can cause sore feet and make walking difficult. Only trim off the tip so as not to cause bleeding. This is also a good time to check the feet for any injuries that you may not have seen when the hair was still long. Any thorns should be removed with tweezers and cuts cleaned and treated with antiseptic. Ice, snow, salt and other de-icers can cause sore paws during the winter, so it is important to clean and check the feet of a poodle at this time of year.