Overheated Pups get dehydrated easily.
As a pet owner, you must take the time to ensure that your pets are healthy and happy every season of the year. Just as you need to make sure that your pet stays warm during the winter months, you’ll need to take steps to prevent overheating during the summer. For many dog breeds, this means giving them a summer cut. This guide will help you learn more about why your dog needs a summer cut during the summer season, along with how to ensure your dog's hair and skin is kept up properly.
Give Your Dog a Summer Cut
Now that you know why your dog needs a summer cut, it is time to learn what is the best type of cut to him him/her for the season. Your groomer can help you decide what is best including what grooming tools he'll use to get the job done correctly. If you have never had your dog’s hair cut before, your dog needs to be calm during the process, so if this is your first time trimming their hair, you may want to use scissors on your first time out as the noise and vibration from clippers may scare them. It really depends on the personality of your dog!
Grooming Tools We'll Use
Brush
Scissors or Clipper
Nail Clippers
Your groomer will always use scissors and nail clippers designed for use with dogs; this will ensure that they can be safely used on a dog’s coat and are less likely to cause injury to a dog’s skin. If you decide to do it yourself and use a clipper to trim your dog’s coat for the summer, make sure it doesn’t get hot, as this can cause injuries.
If You Want Give Your Dog a Summer Cut Yourself, Here are Step by Step Instructions...
The following step by step guide on how to cut your dogs coat for the summer. Remember, you can always trim a bit more fur than you need to when you’ve finished your first round.
Remember: If you don't feel comfortable with the process, always seek a professional who can help you. We're here to help you.
Step One: Brush your dog’s coat
Before you trim your dog’s coat, you will want to give it a good brushing. First, brush its hair to remove any tangles or knots; if your dog has any mats, remove them carefully with scissors. Do not trim your dog’s hair until the coat is free from tangles. You may want to give your dog a bath before the brushing process, but this is entirely optional.
Step Two: Start trimming around the neck
The first part of the trimming process should begin at the neck. If your dog has short hair, you can start with the scissors and use them throughout the entire process. If your dog has long or exceptionally thick hair, then you will likely want to start with the clippers for larger areas and use the scissors for smaller ones.
When trimming your dog for the summer, take care to cut in the direction that the hair is growing. If you’re using clippers, use the highest clipping mark or guard; remember, you only want to give them a trim to help thin out their coat for the hotter summer months.
Step Three: Move to the legs and tail
You must be very careful around the legs, paws and tail, as dogs tend to move the most when these areas are being trimmed. Go slowly and carefully. Only use scissors in these areas to prevent potential injuries. Again, remember that less is more for a summer cut: you can always trim further if you need to, so for now, err on the side of caution when it comes to length.
Step Four: Trim the head area
The head is one of the most challenging areas to trim. This is because the dog moves its head around, along with sensitive areas, such as the eyes and nose. Scissors are best for this area, mainly if your dog tends to move more often than not. If you must use clippers, make sure to go slowly and potentially have someone hold your dog’s head to avoid movement.
Step Five: Brush out the excess
Once you are finished with the initial trim, you should brush your dog’s coat to get any loosened hair off; this will help prevent excessive shedding after your dog’s summer cut is finished.
Summer cuts may need to be completed more than once during the summer months, depending on how quickly your dog’s coat grows back after a trim.
Don’t forget; make sure to give your dog plenty of treats and praise during the grooming process!