Shih Tzus are adorable little dogs with long, flowing hair. But keeping their coat looking its best requires regular grooming. If you’re not comfortable taking your Shih Tzu to a professional groomer, you can learn how to trim them yourself.
This article will walk you through the steps of trimming a Shih Tzu, from gathering your supplies to giving your dog a final styling. By the end, you’ll be able to give your Shih Tzu a professional-looking haircut at home.
Gather Your Supplies
Before you start trimming your Shih Tzu, you’ll need to gather a few supplies. These include:
A pair of sharp grooming shears
A comb
A brush
A pair of nail clippers
A styptic powder (optional)
A towel
Prepare Your Shih Tzu
Once you have your supplies, you’ll need to prepare your Shih Tzu for grooming. This includes:
Bathing your dog. This will help to remove any mats or tangles in their coat.
Drying your dog’s coat. Be sure to brush their coat as you dry it to remove any remaining tangles.
Trimming your dog’s nails. This will help to prevent them from getting caught in their fur.
Start Trimming
Once your Shih Tzu is clean, dry, and their nails are trimmed, you can start trimming their hair. Here are the basic steps:
Start by trimming the hair around your dog’s eyes. Use a pair of sharp grooming shears to trim the hair so that it doesn’t get in their eyes.
Next, trim the hair around your dog’s ears. Be sure to trim the hair inside their ears as well.
Now, you can start trimming the hair on your dog’s body. Use a comb to brush the hair out of the way, and then trim it to the desired length.
Finally, trim the hair on your dog’s tail. Be sure to leave a little bit of hair at the tip of the tail so that it doesn’t look too stubby.
Give Your Shih Tzu a Final Styling
Once you’ve trimmed your Shih Tzu’s hair, you can give them a final styling. This includes:
Brushing their coat to remove any stray hairs.
Trimming any areas that need a little extra attention.
Pinning up any hair that you want to keep out of the way.
Tips for Trimming a Shih Tzu
Here are a few tips to help you trim your Shih Tzu’s hair like a pro:
Use sharp grooming shears. Dull shears can cause your dog’s hair to fray or split.
Trim the hair in the direction of growth. This will help to prevent the hair from getting matted.
Be gentle. Don’t pull or tug on your dog’s hair.
Take your time. Don’t rush through the grooming process.
Have fun! Trimming your Shih Tzu’s hair can be a great bonding experience.
With a little practice, you’ll be able to trim your Shih Tzu’s hair like a professional in no time. So get out your grooming shears and start trimming!
Additional Tips
If you’re not sure how to trim your Shih Tzu’s hair, you can always watch a few YouTube videos or ask your veterinarian for advice.
It’s a good idea to start trimming your Shih Tzu’s hair when they’re a puppy. This will help them to get used to the process and make it easier for you to groom them as they get older.
If you’re nervous about trimming your Shih Tzu’s hair yourself, you can always take them to a professional groomer.
With a little care and attention, you can keep your Shih Tzu’s coat looking its best for years to come.
