[lexilu]

Hi - i'm not a professional(duh - as if you couldn't tell by these photos). , You guys have always been sooo helpful so I thought I'd post more questions.

Here's my latest grooming dilemma. This is Lexi (cockapoo) about 4 weeks after my last attempt to groom her. I know, I know, your laughing, but think I'm getting more comfortable with the clippers. Anyway... I'd like advise on several things. First her nose- there's always some hair sticking up - I have been trying to "train" it to lay down, but it's still there. Do I cut it? I haven't as I figure it's like a cowlik that will just pop up again in it's shorter form. Also, those ridges on her back? Is that cocker fur? I try to get it smoother (HV dryer and LP Brush), and no luck there either. And lastly - her ears. I have no idea how to put this in words - she's got alot of fur and they are bulky. Of course I think she looks adorable now, but is there a proper way to do her ears? What I am currently doing is blunt cutting them about 1/2 inch below where her ear leather ends. Should there be a defined line at the top - like a poodle ear/topknot? Or should it flow from her head right into her ear? Any other suggestions? I will be attempting to groom her again in about two weeks

[merrow]

you can do what ever you like the look of more she isnt a poodle or a cocker so you can go as far or as close to the bree trims as you like good thing with cross breeds can never get it wrong

the bit on her nose usually if you grow it it will be heavier and should lay flatter (dosnt always)

the dog looks cute and well maintained i quite like the length of the coat now looks like a nice covering of coat

[Graco22]

I think you are doing a great job. Yes, the waves on her back are probably just how her coat is. When you are HV drying, dry her most of the way, then use a human hair dryer on low and a slicker and dry and brush the hair in the opposite direction it grows until its bone dry. That will give you the straightest hair possible, so you will get the most even finish. I don't know if you took these pics right after a bath and groom, but if you did, she doesn't look clean and fluffed, which will affect your finish and the way the coat lays.

As far as the ears, I always blend the ears to the head, unless an owner specifics a poodle look..which most do NOT want a poodle look. LOL The hairs on her nose you can either keep letting grow to see if they will lay down, or take thinners and just thin them off and blend into the sides. You can achieve that without making the bridge of the nose look shaved or "harsh" like that. It will still be a soft expression, but without the hair sticking up. The bottoms of the ears look cute. Pick the length you want, and you can either trim them straight across, or make them "U" shaped as well. Take a look at some of the faces in the before and after thread on this forum for ideas.

[lexilu]

[QUOTE=Graco22;608950] I don't know if you took these pics right after a bath and groom, but if you did, she doesn't look clean and fluffed, QUOTE]

Thanks Graco... No it was not after her bath and groom.. . these photos were taken about 4-5 weeks after. She's due for a bath this weekend, so I will practice drying her and fluffing her better. And will try to blend her ears too. My scissoring skills are not so great. When you "blend the ears to the head" do you use thinners? Or is it just a gradual shortening with regular straights?

[Graco22]

I usually use an attachment to get my round heads started, and then there is little blending to be done at the ears. But if I need to blend some, I usually use straight shears, or my curved shears, depending on the mood I'm in and the look I am going for. Yes, its a gradual length longer into the ears. Thinners are much more forgiving though, when you are learning. Comb the hair on the head all forward, from the back of the head...all over the eyes. Then use either shears or thinners and blend the head hair into the top of the ears. Its not hard, but it does take a lot of practice to feel comfortable using shears, and getting them to do what you want.