How to Trim Poodles

During the colder months of the year, a poodle's hair grows thicker and bushier and may require trimming. It also may be necessary to trim a poodle's hair in the summer to reduce the potential for heat exhaustion or dehydration. Cutting a poodle's hair is something you can do by yourself. Doing it at home will cost less than paying for the services of a trained pet groomer. All you need is a lot of patience and the right tools. Dog clippers are the best, but human hair clippers will also work.

Things You'll Need

Dog tub
pH-balanced dog shampoo and conditioner
Cotton towel
Electric clippers
No. 10 clipper blade
No. 5 clipper blade
Dog grooming scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Pour the pH-balanced dog shampoo in a tub of lukewarm water and mix it into suds. Follow the manufacturer's directions.
- 2
  Bathe the poodle in the tub. Thoroughly rinse the dog. Make sure the poodle is comfortable and happy, otherwise you may risk being bitten.
- 3
  Dry the poodle's hair with a clean, soft towel. Alternatively, use an electric hair dryer on the lowest heat setting to dry the poodle's hair.
- 4
  Attach the No. 5 blade to the electric clippers and evenly run the clippers down the body. Leave at least 1 inch of hair on the poodle's body to prevent skin irritation. Do a dry run first until the poodle is comfortable with the noise from the machine, especially if this is the dog's first trim.
- 5
  Remove the No. 5 blade. Attach the No. 10 blade to the clippers. Carefully shave the poodle's face, avoiding the area around the eyes. Shave in the direction of the dog's hair.
- 6
  Shave the dog's feet in the direction of the hair and shave the tail. Leave 3 inches of hair on the tip of the tail to create a pompom.
- 7
  Carefully trim around the dog's more sensitive areas with the No. 10 blade, but do not allow the clippers to touch the skin.
- 8
  Complete the poodle's trim with scissors to round out the pompom at the end of the tail.