Yorkie Poos are one of the most adorable cross-breeds you can come across. With the luscious, voluminous hair of a Yorkshire Terrier and the minuscule size of a Poodle, these small and friendly pets make great lap dogs and are fun to show off to all of your friends.
Of course, every good Yorkie Poo needs a decent haircut. Unfortunately, learning how to groom these bite-sized hounds – and indeed, just about any pet in general – can be very difficult.
Luckily for you, we are here to help. In this article, we are going to show you how to groom a Yorkie Poo so that your lovable lap dog will have the looks and earn the admiration it deserves. Without any further ado, let us get started.
How to Groom a Yorkie Poo: Grooming Steps
Step One: Gathering Your Materials
First things first, there are a couple of items that you will need in order to properly groom your Yorkie Poo. These items include dog shampoo, a dog brush, and dog nail and hair trimmers.
Make sure that the shampoo you purchase is specially formulated for dogs, as human shampoo contains many ingredients that can prove harmful and irritating to your canine. Additionally, if your dog has any specific conditions – such as sensitive skin or a brittle coat – you can search for shampoo that can help alleviate those issues.
Along with these specialty items, you will also need some common household supplies, such as a hairdryer, a towel (or towels), and a non-slip mat for your bath. Having all of these items will ensure that your precious Yorkie Poo can be groomed safely.
Step Two: Preparing the Area
Once you have all of your materials, you will need to find a suitable spot to groom your dog. In most cases, your bathroom will be the most ideal place, but you could also set everything up in your backyard. Be careful about this, however. Should you decide to use your backyard, make sure it is enclosed and that the weather will accommodate your grooming activities.
If you are in your bathroom, place a towel or two down on the floor next to your bath and reserve one for later use. Be sure to also close the door to prevent your Yorkie Poo from fleeing if it gets scared.
Step Three: Preparing Your Yorkie Poo
Before you throw your precious canine into the bath, you will first need to brush its hair. Start by brushing your Yorkie Poo’s face and gently work out any tangles or knots in its beard. Work your way through the dog’s back, belly, and legs, taking each area in small sections at a time. Make sure you start from the base, then brush the full length of the dog’s hair in order to ensure that you untangle every knot you come across.
Consider brushing your dog’s hair at least once every three days. The longer and curlier it becomes, the more frequently you will need to groom it. If you feel so inclined, you could even brush your Yorkie Poo’s hair every day.
Step Four: Bathing Your Yorkie Poo
It is finally time to get your Yorkie Poo clean, and the logical place to start is by getting your dog’s hair wet. Use lukewarm water to accomplish this, slowly pouring it out and running your fingers through the dog’s coat in order to ensure that the water gets all the way down to the base.
Once that is done, you will need to actually wash your Yorkie Poo. Squeeze out a dollop of shampoo (no larger than a quarter) and gently rub it into your dog’s coat, soaking it all in suds. Start with the body, then work your way to the head. Make sure to avoid getting any shampoo in your dog’s eyes, ears, or mouth, and remember to only use shampoo that is specially formulated for dogs.
Finally, once your dog has been adequately lathered in suds and shampoo, rinse it all off with some warm water, starting with its head and then continuing to its body. Use your hand to gently rub the soap out as you pour the water, making sure to get rid of any soap or soap residue. If any is left after your dog has been washed, it is liable to cause significant skin irritation for your Yorkie Poo.
End by carefully rinsing your dog’s face, and then its belly, legs, and tail.
Step Five: Grooming Your Yorkie Poo
Lift your dog out of the bath and dry it off with a towel, soaking up any excess water. Be gentle with it, then lay the towel down to allow your pup to shake off any water you may have missed. At this point, you can allow your dog to dry itself off naturally over time, or you can use a hairdryer.
Your Yorkie Poo may be initially frightened at the sound of the hairdryer, but the more you use it, the more accustomed to it your dog will grow. Make sure to use a lower setting to avoid accidentally burning your dog.
Once that is done, you will need to trim your Yorkie Poo’s nails. Hold your dog firmly to prevent it from wiggling free, then take each of its paws – one at a time – and insert the first of these nails into the hole of the nail clipper. Do not cut the entire nail off all at once. Rather, trim the nails in small sections, and never go too far. Don’t go to the pink fleshy bit – if you do, you risk injuring your dog.
If this does happen, do not feel too bad – even professional groomers make this mistake. Grab some cornstarch and dip the nails in it to prevent coagulation. Also, try to calm your dog down with some much-needed love and affection.
Once its nails have been trimmed, it is now time to trim your Yorkie Poo’s hair. For best results, you will need an electric dog razor, which has more teeth than a human razor and is thus better suited to thicker coats of hair.
You can style your dog’s hair however you want, but a typical cut for a Yorkie Poo involves a shaggy face and slightly trimmed beard, as well as a shaved back, which eventually tapers into longer hair on its legs. Be careful not to accidentally cut your dog’s skin, and make sure it is secured to something to prevent it from falling.
Finally, be sure to maintain your dog’s dental health, as well. This includes giving it treats that promote canine dental health, as well as potentially brushing its teeth. Some dogs may not like this, but they can grow accustomed to it over time. Be sure to use toothpaste specifically made for dogs, and consider checking up with your veterinarian to ensure everything is still in order.
Conclusion
That is everything you need to know about grooming your precious Yorkie Poo. We are 100% certain that after reading this article, you will be fully prepared to tackle what could have been a hefty task. We are sure that your dog will look spiffier than ever.