How to Cut Inner Hair in Poodles

Inner hair on dogs is normally found inside the ears and sometimes around the eyes. Poodles, like many other dogs, can grow excess hair inside the ear, making it hard to keep the area clean. This can cause disease, infection or provide a haven for parasites. For this reason, it is necessary to trim away this excess hair on a regular basis. It can be delicate work requiring the right tools and gentle handling to avoid injury.

Things You'll Need

  • Scissors
  • Ear powder (optional)
  • Dog comb
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a pair of small, rounded-tip scissors (if you don't already have a pair) such as those used for clipping baby fingernails or the kind created especially for grooming sensitive areas on pets. These scissors can be purchased at a pet supply store or from groomers. The most important consideration is that the tips of the scissors are rounded to avoid injury to the dog.

    • 2

      Get your tools (scissors, small comb and ear powder, if necessary) and place them near you on the floor or on a grooming table so they are within easy reach. If ear powder is needed, it can be purchased from a pet supply store.

    • 3

      Place a sheet or blanket on the floor (if not using a grooming table) where you and your dog will be comfortable and where the dog will not be easily distracted or stressed out.

    • 4

      Introduce your dog to the area and have him or her sit or lie down in a way that is comfortable and allows you to easily reach inside his or her ears or other areas of the body that require sensitive trimming (such as between the foot pads). Trim when hair is clean and dry, not wet or dirty.

    • 5

      Gently hold the ear back so you can access as much of the inside area as possible. If the dog is not used to this and has a difficult time staying still, it may be necessary to get a second person to hold him or her still while you trim the hairs, at least until your dog becomes accustomed to this kind of grooming.

    • 6

      Gently comb the hair around the area you are trimming. If gripping the hair is difficult, sprinkle a small amount of ear powder in the ear area to improve your grip. Rub the powder in slightly with your fingers.

    • 7

      Take the scissors in one hand and cut small tufts that you are holding with the fingers of your other hand, a little at a time, close to the skin but not to the point of touching the skin with the scissors. Continue this until each ear is clear of excess hair. Do this for any other delicate parts of the body where hair may be a problem, such as between the toes or pads. Discard trimmed hair from inside the ear.