[Adelaide]

I’m looking for ideas for grooming my 3 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. I live in a small 2 bedroom mobile home so I don’t have a lot of space.

I’m paying $135 to groom all 3 dogs every 6 weeks.

[Samy]

I shave my cavalier and it’s pretty easy. Invest in good quality clippers and equipment.

I do a “puppy cut” and shave everything except his ears and tail

[Sue]

That is very reasonable for 3 dogs. I must pay 80-100 per small dog if I want them groomed. I have 4.

I YouTube- bought my clippers(don’t go cheap)buy the correct blades at $25-50 per blade -clipper cool and blade wash.

I found someone to sharpen my blades at about $20 per blade. This investment is still cheaper than grooming.

I keep all the dogs cut down and they wear coats in the winter.

[Angela]

Since they are a breed that requires regular grooming is there anyone who could teach you to do basic cuts such as shave downs, potty patches and working around the eyes?

You may be able to extend the times between grooming. Or, any grooming schools around you that new groomers can train on?

As an aside, I don’t know if your cavies have heart issues (very common in the breed) I would also take into consideration if the grooming process is more stress for them at an outside facility vs having it done at home. Good luck!

[Bonnie]

If you lived close to my location I would gladly show you. I have been grooming for 40 years.

Also, there are grooming videos on you tube for every breed imaginable

[Flip]

$135 of three dogs is quite a good price. There are places charging that for one little dog.

But you can get good clippers by Wahl or Oster and blades -depending on how short you want and what part of the body you are grooming, you’ll need a few different ones. Plus, combs for the clippers.

You will need scissors too – curved grooming scissors, thinning shears and small ones with blunted tips to trim around the eyes. A comb, brush and demanding rake.

The initial investment will be high but it will save you lots in the long run.

Don’t get a clipper that has two speeds just one. And make sure you maintain them with the proper lubricants, cleaner and oil. The blades do need sharpening as well.

Look up Go groomer on YouTube. She is good at giving tips.

[Sandy]

I bought a folding card table and learned to do it myself. I take it outside when it’s nice.

A stiff board over the bathtub can work too.

[Shelley]

Cavaliers are not that big. I’d think you could lay the pup on your lap (train him to lay on his side) and brush/comb thru his coat while watching tv. Or lay him next to you on the sofa.

Next day, do the second dog and so on. After you and the pups get used to it, it should be easy.

You could wash them in a big sink. (Regular tubs are difficult at our age due to the bending or kneeling.) Or, your town probably has a self wash pet place with raised tubs you could use once a month for their baths.

Do you already have a slicker brush and a wide tooth metal dog comb? Those would be your main tools.

I’ve bathed and groomed my Afghan Hounds at home for over 50 years. Umm, not on my lap.

I do have a grooming table, lol.

[Karyn]

Some professional grade clippers and and blades. The blades get hot quickly as you are using them, be careful not to burn the dog.

There’s some stuff you can spray on the blades that helps.

Don’t forget to trim their nails. Also, a shower head with a long hose that detaches so you can bathe them easier.

Don’t use people shampoo, it’s bad for their skin.

Since you’ve been having them groomed regularly they will probably be fairly easy to do.

[Ann]

They aren’t “show dogs”. If you brush them regularly, you can trim them every 8 or nine weeks.

If you are physically able, you can bathe and trim them yourself every 8 or 9 weeks with an inexpensive kit ($30 or $40).

Twice a year, have them groomed professionally.

If you cannot groom them yourself, perhaps you can find a vet tech or student who would do a basic groom for the three dogs for less.

I have had dogs that need grooming for tens of years, now that I have retired, I am downsizing the size and number of my pets as they go over the Rainbow Bridge and adding only one more that needs no formal grooming.

[Author]

Posts