Grooming and Hygiene
Combs and BrushesI have used every comb and brush out there and a metal-toothed comb is the only one that actually works.
Of these two combs one has fine and wide-set teeth and the other is all wide-set. Both are great. The combo comb is the essential one. The other is just a nice extra. The all wide-tooth comb is very helpful for curly, long, shaggy haircuts and helping to comb through thick coats. These combs are called "poodle combs" for exactly that reason. |
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Shampoo and Conditioner
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Shampoo and conditioner are certainly a necessity at bath time.
Paying a ton of money for "dog specific" shampoo and conditioner is not. Use any inexpensive "tear free" shampoo that you can find (like this pack of 6 Suave Kids for $9). Tear-free is not necessary but these shampoos have a higher pH (meaning they are less acidic than other shampoos which is why they don't sting the eyes). The increased pH isn't just gentle on puppy eyes but is also good for dog skin (which is thinner than human skin) and, more importantly, is better for those 'poos that are being treated for fleas and ticks with a topical medication. You don't want to wash that expensive stuff away! I do have Earthbath listed which is a dog-specific shampoo (and as a result is pretty pricey) but I can't help but love the wonderful (and not cloying) fragrance of this particular shampoo. You can also use gentle shampoos that aren't expressly "tear free" like Suave Naturals or Mane n Tail as they are also less acidic than less-conditioning types. Conditioner is not something you should skip. It is important to seal the hair cuticle and keep your dog's coat and skin healthy. Look for something soothing and that rinses completely and canine-specific is again not a necessity. I love Mane's conditioner especially in the winter as the conditioner can be left in like a lotion.
A worthy splurge is this heavenly scented vanilla & almond deodorizing and anti-itch spray for in-between baths or right after a bath or just anytime because it smells great. I don't know if it really helps with itchy skin at all as I've never used it for that purpose. I just really like the way it smells and I tend to be sensitive to many perfumes, etc. and this one doesn't annoy me. A little goes a very long way and one bottle has lasted me years!
And finally choose a coconut oil for lots and lots of doggy and people uses. This is great to put on your fingertips and massage into dry dog skin, onto bellies and cracked paw pads and into dry, frizzled doggy hair.
Coconut oil is also an outstanding dietary supplement for your pooch. A tablespoon a day is fantastic for their health and makes them smell delicious too. I like this brand because it is organic and processed without Hexane (a nasty, toxic chemical used to process many types of coconut oil). It is organic, cold-pressed and extra virgin and to make it even better the container is BPA free. Also you can find it at some Costco store locations and the price is phenomenal. |
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Clippers
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Provide your own haircuts like a pro. You may want to look for a few key features like "cool running" (or they get too hot, too fast) and "quiet" is always better for the dog.
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These inexpensive clippers were the first ones I ever bought and 7 years later they still work really well. The blades get very hot and the cord is annoying but if you're looking for a good price these are great (as long as they still make em like they used to). These Wahl clippers are great. They have two batteries so you won't run out of power and the case is convenient. Don't cut through a sandy dog though or you'll destroy the blades in a heartbeat. ;-) These are lightweight and comfortable and fantastic for clean and combed-out cockapoo grooms. I really like these stainless steel comb guides. (I've used many different plastic ones and these are the only ones I'll actually use). They fit on the Wahl and on Oster. This case also comes with enough variety that you can get the cut you want. Clippers (like those above) never come with enough comb guides to get a great haircut. These touch-up-trimmers are fantastic for getting hair on and between paw pads, cleaning up potty areas and clipping in the ears. These trimmers come with a smaller sized-head as well as a very convenient case. I like these touch-up trimmers a lot.
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Grooming Shears
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Straight shears are used the least but they can certainly come in handy. These are inexpensive and small with a safety-tip. If you pass on straight shears you likely won't notice often.
Blending shears are almost a must if your dog has very fine, silky hair and you can see scissor lines in the coat when you make a snip with any regular pair of scissors. Hint: don't waste your time with cheap blending shears!! They don't work! |
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If you pick just one pair of shears then go with curved shears. You will use them the most by far. There are decent but cheap shears ... and then there are better but pricier shears. You can certainly start with the less expensive shears here and they have a safety point which is great for beginners to reduce the chance of poking yourself or your pup with a sharp tip.
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Blow Dryer
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Human blow driers use heat to evaporate the water off the hair shaft and this is way too hot (and way too slow) to work on our pets. If you're going to spend money on just one fancy grooming tool this is the one to get. It is literally one of the best grooming tool purchases I have ever made and I wish I hadn't waited so long to get one!
Towel drying your cockapoo's coat will pack the coat down and contribute to matting big time. Use a force-air dryer while still in the tub and the water will literally fly off your dog and she'll be nice and dry in just a few minutes. This is amazing for after baths, wet walks and play time in the snow. I highly recommend you get one and use it! (Note: you hold this close to the skin, not at a distance like with hot human dryers) |
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