Mowing a long-haired dog is rarely a cakewalk. Especially the first time. We already imagine the panicked dog, the stuffing mower, the hair everywhere, the cold sweats… And yet, well prepared, this moment can turn into a peaceful routine – even pleasant for some dogs.
So why mow? Because some long hairs get tangled, trap dirt, form painful knots, hinder walking or vision. And a bad mowing, too brutal or sloppy, can not only scare the animal but also irritate its skin.
The idea here is simple: learning to do it right. Without stress, without precipitation, and with a minimum of collateral damage. Neither for the dog, nor for the person holding the mower.
Prepare the ground before starting
No improvised mowing between two detergents. Choose a quiet moment. Neither when the dog has just eaten, nor when he is overexcited after a walk. A quiet afternoon, for example, is often a good option.
The place also matters. Avoid slippery floors, dark or too narrow corners. A towel on the ground or a non-slip mat under the dog is already more reassuring for him. And we prepare everything in advance: a well-sharpened mower, a comb, a pair of scissors for the finishes, sweets… Do not forget a towel to avoid repainting the living room in hair color.
Make him comfortable from the first seconds
Shearing a dog is above all a question of trust. And this confidence, it is built well before the first passage of a mower. Good brushing can be used as an introduction. We take the opportunity to speak calmly, encourage him, caress him. The goal? Let him understand that none of this is wrong with him.
Let the dog sniff the mower, see it, hear it spin empty. We observe his reaction. Some don’t care. Others are suspicious. In any case, no pressure. And above all, rewards. At each step taken, a small treat or a caress can make all the difference.
This is also when we release a Dog trimmer with long hair, like those offered by Polytrans. A silent, suitable model, which does not heat up after two minutes: it changes everything. Noise is often what worries dogs the most. So might as well bet on equipment that does the job without frightening the whole neighborhood.
Proceed zone by zone, without precipitation
No need to mow the whole dog at once. Better to go in stages. The back, the flanks, the legs, the belly, the head… Each zone has its specificities. Starting with the least sensitive parts avoids too fast a blockage. The belly and the legs, more delicate, will come next.
always in the direction of the hair. It pulls less. And it avoids cuts. If the mower gets stuck or the dog is fiddling, we take a break. We breathe. We reassure. It’s not a race. A few well-placed breaks are better than a tense animal throughout the session.
War with knots (but smoothly)
With long hair, knots are almost inevitable. And you shouldn’t force the mower to pass in. Untangle before. by hand or comb. If the knot is too big, a little scissors are often safer than bumping.
This kind of detail changes everything: a dog who feels that we are paying attention to him will be more cooperative. And a poorly managed node can quickly turn into pain or even injury.
Keep calm and know when to stop
This is perhaps the most important step. If it gets stuck, if the dog is agitated or shows signs of stress, it is better to stop. Take a break. come back later. Nothing is in a hurry.
Some mowings are done in two or three times. And that’s fine. Better a short but positive session than a disastrous memory for everyone. Same thing for the person who mows: if the tension rises, if the gestures become abrupt, it’s time to take a good breath and come back to the base.
Good gestures after mowing
Once the mowing is finished, do not store right away. Brush one last time, check for red or irritated areas, clean the remaining hairs. Was the dog patient? It deserves a pleasant moment. A treat, a caress, a little game.
It is also time to clean the mower, remove the jammed hairs, oil the blades if necessary. A well-maintained mower is an easier mowing next time.
What to remember
mow a long-haired dog, it’s not that complicated. It’s not always easy either, let’s be honest. But with preparation, good material and a little patience, it’s going well. Even very well.
Regular maintenance allows the dog to be comfortable, clean, without knots, and above all, serene. And when the dog is in his hair, his human is often too.
Photo credit: https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/yorkshire-terrier-getting-procedure-groomer-salon -young-woman-white-tshirt-trimming-little-dog-yorkshire-terrier-puppy-getting-haircu t-with-shaving-machine_24440639.htm#fromview=search&page=1&position=15&u UID=92DDD540-B887-4433-B5BB-85163A38CEC4&Query=Mower+A+Dog+C3%A0+Long+Hairs
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