Elevate Your Grooming
A pink decorative flourish graphic featuring symmetrical vine and leaf patterns.
Stylized teal text that reads "SAFE & STYLISH:" in a bold, rounded font.
Pink cursive text that reads "Perfect" in a brush-stroke style.
Teal text that reads "POODLE PARTS" in a playful, rounded typeface.
A white poodle with long, unkempt curly fur sitting on a grooming table before being trimmed.

by Blake Hernandez

A pink decorative flourish graphic featuring symmetrical vine and leaf patterns.
Before you assume this is another article about shaping the perfect topknot, you’re wrong! A successful poodle trim is all in the details, and sometimes executing those details can pose larger safety risks. The following key points will help you achieve those poodle-specific steps without injuring the dog.
A pink decorative flourish graphic featuring symmetrical vine and leaf patterns.
A white poodle with a rounded topknot and clean-shaven body standing on a grooming table.
A pink decorative flourish graphic featuring symmetrical vine and leaf patterns.
Stylized teal text that reads "SAFE & STYLISH:" in a bold, rounded font.
Pink cursive text that reads "Perfect" in a brush-stroke style.
Teal text that reads "POODLE PARTS" in a playful, rounded typeface.

by Blake Hernandez

A white poodle with long, unkempt curly fur sitting on a grooming table before being trimmed.
A white poodle with a rounded topknot and clean-shaven body standing on a grooming table.
A pink decorative flourish graphic featuring symmetrical vine and leaf patterns.

Before you assume this is another article about shaping the perfect topknot, you’re wrong! A successful poodle trim is all in the details, and sometimes executing those details can pose larger safety risks. The following key points will help you achieve those poodle-specific steps without injuring the dog.

A pink decorative flourish graphic featuring symmetrical vine and leaf patterns.
Fig. 1) When clipping the nails, it’s best to start with the portion of the nail that is level with the bottom of the pad. Most of the time this is roughly where the quick has not exceeded even if the nail is overgrown.

Fig. 2) Shaving the feet should be done in multiple steps, as each part requires a different angle and technique. For instance, I do the nail bed in reverse with the back of my blade; the bottom of the cuff I do with a carving technique; and the webbing of the feet can be safely reached by splaying the toes to create a smooth surface. Also, never cross over the center of the webbing with a moving blade, as the skin is very soft and sensitive.

A person uses red-handled nail clippers to trim the claws on a white dog's paw.
Close-up of a person using electric clippers to shave the fur between the paw pads of a white dog.
Fig. 3) When shaving the dog’s sphincter, go from side to side, not up and down. Also be sure the teeth of the blade never actually make contact with the anus.

Fig. 4) Male or female, intact or not, you should only shave the side of the genitals that you are lifting the leg on because it is more clearly visible and the skin is pulled taut.

A person uses electric clippers to carefully shave the long white fur on a dog's rear.
A groomer uses electric clippers to trim the curly white fur around a dog's rear area.
Fig. 5) To create more visibility and a smoother surface to work on at the tuck-up, pull the skin at the side of the stomach upward.

Fig. 6) To form a smooth surface around the mouth, take the corner of the dog’s lip and pull back and slightly downward to stretch out the wrinkle.

Close-up of electric clippers trimming the white fur on the underside of a dog's leg.
A person's hand holds a dog's muzzle steady while using clippers to trim the fur around its mouth and teeth.
A person uses grooming shears to carefully trim the curly white fur around a dog's ear.
Fig. 7) The Henry’s pocket can only be safely edged if you take each portion of the skin flap individually, fold it away from everything else, and then scissor the edge before returning the skin flap to its tightly folded position.
A groomer uses electric clippers to shave the thick white fur on a dog's front leg.
Fig. 8) To access the inside of the armpit, stand in front of the dog and pull the front leg forward.
A person uses electric clippers to trim the long white fur on a dog's hind leg during a grooming session.
Fig. 9) While the leg is still pulled forward, step to the outside of the dog to access the outer area of the armpit.

Now, keep making those poodles cute and fresh by confidently and safely tightening up those details!

Fig. 7) The Henry’s pocket can only be safely edged if you take each portion of the skin flap individually, fold it away from everything else, and then scissor the edge before returning the skin flap to its tightly folded position.

Fig. 8) To access the inside of the armpit, stand in front of the dog and pull the front leg forward.

Fig. 9) While the leg is still pulled forward, step to the outside of the dog to access the outer area of the armpit.

Now, keep making those poodles cute and fresh by confidently and safely tightening up those details!

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