Should I give my dogs a hair cut or take them to a groomer?

[Wcross]

Three of my dogs have long hair, the heat and humidity is taking its toll on them. (Tennessee- 88 deg and humid today) I would really like to help them feel better this summer but the cost of grooming may be prohibitive. Are there any specific health issues (other than low self esteem) involved with a home hair cut? Why should I opt for a professional groomer over doing it myself?

[Tripper11]

1. Look it up on the net...

I would imagine you could get some type of safe shears. With some slight of hand I'm sure you could shear 'em up and still have them look nice enough that their doggy friends don't point and laugh for getting an at home hair cut.

[Dookus]

2. Groomer...

it's SOOO much easier. They have the right tools (table, hoses, leashes, clippers, etc. etc.)

If your dogs will sit still for it, then try it yourself. I don't know if there's any near you, but near me there's a "self-service dog-wash". I don't think they have clippers, but the table, hoses, etc. make it a lot easier.

Some dogs LOVE the groomer. When I was a kid, we had a great dane who thought it was the best fun in the world to get groomed. He'd come home and literally prance around the house saying "Look how pretty I am". But then, great danes are sorta dumb that way :)

[radfringe]

7. Some dogs LOVE the groomer.

lol.. had a neighbor with a standard poodle -- hated haircuts

he would literally hide in the closet for a week after a visit to the groomer

[TorchTheWitch]

3. talk to a vet first

the hair on a dog acts as a barrier to heat. cutting the hair off may make him more succeptable to heat problems. sounds weird, i know, but i went through the same thing with my dog. now that he has a skin condition that makes a lot of the hair fall out and grow back sparsely, i've noticed he has a lot more problems in the heat then when he was a furry beast.

[sbj405]

8. I agree . .

I have a chow and was told not to give him a buzz cut for the summer. Poor guy hangs out in the basement most of the summer. You also have to watch for sun burn if you cut them too closely.

[bearfan454]

4. I bought a pair of professional clippers for $200 about 8 years ago

at Petsmart. They work very well. They have paid for themselves many times over.

[Maddy McCall]

5. There are health issues involved with visiting a groomer...

Before you take your dog to a groomer, talk to people and see what they have to say about groomers in your town.

Call the groomer and ask if they have a vaccination/flea-free rule.

I used a "bad" groomer once. My pup came back with fleas, and she was flea-free before she went in. It took a while to knock the new fleas off of her. And she got tapeworms from the fleas she picked up at the groomer.

Also ask around to see who is the most pet-friendly groomer in town. In my hometown, two groomers have had bad reports. One cut the skin of a dog (deep cut) while grooming it, and another abused an animal in her care, which caused an uproar in the letters-to-the-editor column.

I think professional groomers is the way to go--just make sure the groomer you choose has a good record on health and temper issues.

[radfringe]

6. depends on the dogs stress levels, reactions

and your confidence in being able to do it

our airdale acts up when WE do the grooming -- she knows my partner gets all nervous and jittery about the possibility of stressing her out

yet the airdale is a 'perfect' angel when someone else does it

I've done other dogs at home -- although they may not have a great haircut when I'm done

we take the airdale to a groomer -- she gets a bath, skin treatment, nails cut, teeth brushed, anal glands cleaned, ears cleaned and the haircut