Dog Care Guide: How to Groom a Lhasa Apso

I have a sweet little pup who is a Lhasa Apso. I used to take her to get groomed all the time. However, she has the type of dog hair that needs to be groomed at least a couple times a month especially because I live in a warmer climate. Trips to the groomer were exhausting both of us out.

I went to Pet Smart, and I bought myself a dog grooming kit. It came with a buzzer, different combs to cut the dog's hair, and dog scissors. It cost me around $50 which is really a savings compared to how much I was spending at the dog groomers all the time. Plus, my dog's vet told me that she thought she had been groomed professionally next door to her business at the fancy dog groomers because I had done such a good job. I have never gone back to the groomer since. Here is how to groom a Lhasa Apso the way I do it:

Materials Needed:

Dog Buzzer with Combs
Dog Scissors
Dog Treats

Grooming a Lhasa Apso:

Step One:

Get all your materials together in one place where you are at the same level as the Lhasa Apso. I usually like to give my dog a bath before she's given a haircut, but you can also give a dog a bath after too. Just make sure the dog you are grooming is dry so the buzzer works better.

Step Two:

Bring the dog to you gently. Use slow movements, and speak lovingly to the dog. Dogs respond to nice gentle voices, and this will help calm the dog down in order to start grooming. Also try to have another person if you can help you hold the dog if your dog tends to move around a lot.

Step Three:

First place to start grooming is the mats if there is any on the dog. Mine usually has a few behind her ear's, on her tummy, and on her legs. Trim these off with dog scissors.

Step Four:

Now take the dog buzzer, and clip on the comb for the hair length that you want the dog's hair to be trimmed. Then pull the dog closer to you. I always start with the back first. I gently buzz from the neck down to the tail until I get to the length I desire. Then I buzz the sides in a downward motion until all is even.

Step Five:

Next you will want to buzz the top of the Lhasa Apso's head. You will want to shave from front to back.

Step Six:

Next shave the front of the dog with the buzzer in a downward motion. Then take the dog scissors and trim up the face. Make sure that the dog is perfectly still while working on the face. You could really hurt a dog if you do not do this very carefully. The eyes are the hardest to do I think. Just gently trim around the eyes so the dog can see well.

Step Seven:

Next are the legs to trim. I usually trim first in a downward motion with the dog scissors. Then I use the buzzer to go down the legs, and then I go back with the dog scissors to make it look perfect.

Step Eight:

Since you have already buzzed the upper part of the dog's stomach it is time to do the lower half. I usually use dog scissors to neaten up this area. I think that a dog buzzer would be too harsh on a delicate dog tummy.

Step Nine:

You are almost done. Now you look over the Lhasa Apso, and inspect the dog to make sure that everything is even. If not, neaten it up with the buzzers or dog scissors.

Step Ten:

Now that you have probably admired your handy work it is time to reward your dog. Take out a dog treat or more. Tell your dog what a good dog he or she is, and give the treat(s). This will make your dog be okay with getting groomed by you again. Plus, your dog deserves it for letting you groom them.