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When you have a curly, long-haired little dog, there are so many fun hairstyles you can try out. Whether you are recently a Maltipoo parent, or you just want to try out a new hairstyle for your pup, you might wonder what the options are.
In this article, we will explain exactly how to groom your dog and give you some adorable options for hairstyles and accessories.
How to Groom a Maltipoo
It is time to get started on grooming! Before you begin the process, make sure to read thoroughly through this article so you are fully prepared!
1. Gather Supplies
Have you already researched or made a list of the supplies you’ll need for grooming? You can’t start the process without all of your much-needed items.
- Brushes
- Gloves
- Towels
- Scissors
- Clippers
- Harness/Restraints
- Shampoo/Conditioner
You might need more or less depending on the actual process and how much hair your Maltipoo has already. You also have to think about different hairstyles that require accessories. Do you have all of the cute little extras you want to give your dog?
Now is the time to gather up anything and everything that would make your puppy even more adorable than they already are.
2. Bathe Your Dog
Before you give them a glamorous cut, it’s time to get out of all of those dead hair follicles and cut pieces. You can give your Maltipoo a bath in the sink, a tub of water, or in your tub. Wash them down well with some delightful shampoo and optional conditioner. Once you’re finished with the bath, you can wrap them up in a cozy towel and work on getting them dry.
If you are looking for the perfect, pet-friendly shampoo and conditioner combo, we highly recommend the products by Hepper. With a soothing oatmeal shampoo, free of soaps and other harsh chemicals, and a cucumber and aloe scented conditioner, your pet's skin and coat will be smooth, hydrated, and irritation-free.
At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding products of this cool pet company!
3. Brush Your Dog
After the bath, you are going to want to brush your Maltipoo to make sure all the hair is smooth and tangle-free before you cut it. You want all the hair to be smooth to ensure an even cut. A great brush to use for this is a slicker brush, as it glides through the hair and helps to remove tangles from the coat.
4. Choose How You Want to Learn
There are several different ways you can learn how to perform a haircut. You could get a real-life demonstration from an experienced person or watch a helpful video online. No matter how you choose to figure out how to groom your Maltipoo, you will need to have these tips before you start. If you have a real eye for detail, you might even be able to watch your groomer a couple of times to get the hang of it.
5. Have a Tutorial Video on Standby
If you have a video tutorial that you are following in order to groom your Maltipoo, it is important to have it up with a way to pause and play as needed. Keep in mind that because you’ll need to pause and rewind, you should always have a way to do so, even with your hands full. This might involve having a helper or alternative means of playing a video, such as with voice control.
6. Secure Your Pup
Make sure that you are keeping them completely safe during the process. Some people have harnesses and slings for their dogs to fit into so they can reach all of the necessary parts and keep them still at the same time.
However, you could easily just secure your dog by holding them or having another person help you out. The method will be fully up to you. If your dog is not used to being groomed, they can be quite nervous as well. So anything you can do at this time will certainly help to make your dog feel safe.
7. Keep Treats on Hand
You can calm any dog with the right yummy snack! If you are getting ready to groom your Maltipoo, be ready for work with yummy snacks. This can be especially useful for a dog that doesn’t really have the process down quite yet.
If they keep getting rewarded, you could also take the focus off of what’s going on for a few seconds until they swallow. But don’t be surprised as soon as you start this that they will just demand more treats the entire time and forget all about the grooming process.
8. Try to Be Quick but Efficient
Sure, you want your dog to look top-notch! That’s the entire reason why you’re grooming them. A nice haircut makes everybody feel pretty fresh, after all. However, you will want to make things as quick as possible because your Malitpoo is sure to get restless.
So, tie up the look, straighten up the lines, and get out of there. Don’t linger around or try to make the process take longer than possible, especially if you have a particularly rambunctious maltipoo.
9. Style the Look
You’ve done all of this hard work getting your Maltipoo to look exactly the way that you envisioned in your mind. After all is said and done, it’s time to see the fruits of your labor. Head to toe, you can glamorize them, making them look simply stunning for their next walk. You can add bows to their hair or a nice bow tie around their neck. The neighbors will hardly recognize them strutting down the road with a fresh look.
10. Clean Up
Now that all the fun has stopped, it’s time for the hard work; cleaning up everything! Put all of the back gear in its place, sweep up all the hair off the floor, and give a pat on the back to any helper you might have had.
Types of Hairstyles for the Maltipoo
If you’re running out of ideas or just want to know what your options are, here are some fantastic pictures of awesome Maltese hairdos. This list is not all-inclusive, but these are some of the most popular Maltipoo haircuts.
Puppy Cut
The puppy cut keeps your Maltipoo’s hair short all over, similar to what it looked like when they were a puppy. So, if you want your Maltipoo to maintain their cute puppy appearance, this is the haircut to go with.
Summer Cut
The summer cut for Maltipoos keeps the hair short all over. This is a popular haircut for the warmer months because it helps to keep your Maltipoo cool without all of that hair. It’s also preferable for some people that prefer a low-maintenance style.
Teddy Bear Cut
The teddy bear cut is another shorter style, but longer than the summer cut. The teddy bear cut leaves the hair on the face and ears longer, giving your Maltipoo the appearance of an adorable teddy bear. This is a great option if your Maltipoo hates having their face trimmed.
Lamb Cut
The lamb cut leaves the hair on your Maltipoo’s ears longer, while trimming up their face and the rest of their body. As you can guess by the name, this gives them the appearance of a little lamb, especially if you have a white Maltipoo.
Professional Grooming vs. At-Home Grooming
To eliminate costs associated with grooming or to groom pups that have a hard time being away from home, a lot of people learn to do it themselves. If you have a steady hand and a willingness to learn, just about anyone can learn how to trim their dog’s hair with the right tools.
However, there are plenty of groomers waiting around to take the job. Groomers have all of the experience necessary to give your pup a haircut everyone will love. You can choose from groomers that have private businesses, chain store facilities, and some vets’ offices even have groomers that can whip your pup into shape.
It’s a personal choice and something that doesn’t have to be the same each time you choose. You could take your dog to the groomer a couple of times a year but choose to do the rest in the comfort of your own home. There’s no wrong answer here, but certainly a lot to consider. Not everyone has a budget that will pay for grooming costs, and that’s perfectly understandable.
Plus, some people see that they can do the tasks themselves, and why pay money if you don’t have to? Groomers are certainly good at their jobs, and you should support them when and if you can. However, there’s certainly nothing wrong with tackling the project yourself. After all, it only helps us to learn new skills.
Conclusion
No matter what hairstyle you choose, you’re sure to make your pup spiffy! If you are a beginner, there may be a lot to learn but once you have the hang of it, it will be a breeze. We hope you found these tips helpful and are on your way to giving your Maltipoo a fresh new look.
Also see:
- Fun Facts About Maltipoos: Appearance, Origin & More
- How to Clean Maltipoo Eyes: Easy & 6 Effective Tips
Featured Image Credit: marketlan, Shutterstock
