In-Depth Miniature Schnauzer Grooming Routine

As requested, this post is about our in-depth grooming routine.  I'd like to preface that I am by no means a "professional groomer," or a vet and therefore, my grooming routines may or may not be "perfect" by "professional groomer"/vet standards.  This is what works for us; this is what works for Buster and Bolter.  I have no doubt that there are other methods of doing things, and while suggestions are highly appreciated, any sort of negative comments about us "deliberately harming" our boys through our methods are untrue and unwelcome.  They may not enjoy getting their nail trimmed, their anal glands expelled, or their teeth brushed, but they are NEVER harmed in any way.  This post is merely what "I" do.  If you are unsure or uncomfortable with any part of this post please consult your vet directly.

Buster and Bolter get a full grooming service by us once a month.  This involves teeth brushing, anal glands expelled, bathing, hair trimming in between their paw pads, leggings trimmed, ear hairs pulled out/trimmed, nails clipped and whole body grooming in that order.

We brush their teeth every other day using an Arm & Hammer Pro-Clean electric toothbrush (obviously, it does not necessarily need to be that specific toothbrush.  There is nothing unique about this toothbrush as opposed to any other electric toothbrush.)  A normal toothbrush or pet brush is fine, but like human teeth, I find that the electric toothbrush does a better job of cleaning.  We use Pro-Pet Canine Toothpaste from Target ($3.99 online), which they HATE, but it makes their breath smell good.  I would recommend toothpastes like Sentry Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste for Dogs from Petco that have a flavor that dogs can tolerate.  I don't know of one dog that likes getting their teeth brushed.  Our dogs are no different, but they know that it has to be done.

I have had a number of people ask about interdigital hair (hair between their paw pads) trimming.  We do it once during their full grooming service, and once in between their full grooming services (so... twice a month) to keep their paws clean from knots, dirt, and debris.  It helps keep burrs, gum, tar, and other unwanted debris from getting tangled up in between their paws and causing a great deal of discomfort.  I use trimmers to trim between their paw pads.  I've tried scissors, but I've found that trimmers tend to do the trick... and quickly.  Again, our dogs do not like it, but I lay them on their back and work diligently and quickly to trim their hair.

There have been a number of controversies regarding plucking out ear hair.  We do it a maximum of twice a month (or whenever I notice their ear hair getting "too bushy"), to keep their ear clean from dirt and debris, and (knock on wood) our boys have never had an ear infection. We pluck just the hair in their ear canal with a pair of (sanitary) tweezers.  I have heard that it is easier using ear powder, but we've been fine without it. Again, our dogs don't like it.  I pluck out a couple of hairs at once, and sometimes when I accidentally pluck out too much at once, they yelp to let me know.  Don't go too far into the ears, and if you are uncomfortable doing this, I recommend you contact your veterinarian.  Keep in mind that there are some vets that recommend that ear hair plucking doesn't need to be done.  They believe that plucking ear hair opens up the ear follicles to infections.

We clip their nails using a guillotine nail trimmer.  There are many different types of nail trimmers, as well as nail grinders.  We have not tried nail grinders.  Bolter has absolutely no problem with getting his nails trimmed.  He has never fought me. Buster begins to cry the minute he sees me with a nail trimmer in my hand.  He will fight me for every piece of his nail.  I have learned to wrap him up in a blanket and hold him down while I clip his nail, but I am constantly looking for ways to ease his stress.  Before Bolter arrived, we used to take Buster to a professional groomer.  They always did a FANTASTIC job on Buster, and he always seemed to be eager to go the groomers, but it seems that there is quite a lot of trauma from getting his nails clipped there.  We have tried giving him treats, but he merely eats the treats and returns to fighting me for his nail.

For the actual grooming of a Miniature Schnauzer, please visit our youtube channel:buster40k.

For pre-bathing routines: http://youtu.be/ZeVhQDV5DT8
For bathing routines: http://youtu.be/3JSugnpBUhE
For Miniature Schnauzer grooming: http://youtu.be/IcfpLopsy2

Specifically for ear trimming of Miniature Schnauzers with cropped/cut ears: http://youtu.be/g6oFKO4n5Jg

Lastly, and most importantly, we brush our boys hair everyday.  We love our boys' leggings and beard, and in order to keep it from matting, knotting, and ultimately having to shave it off, we brush them everyday.  I've heard some dogs attempt to attack their owner when they are getting brushed.  I have no idea how to rectify that.  I suppose treats are always the safe bet.  We started brushing our boys every since we got them, so they know that it is a nightly event.  I have tried a number of different brushes, and there hasn't been one that I favor over others.  I currently use a normal "human-use" Conair plastic comb from CVS.  They go to the dog park almost every day, and when they return from the dog park, I rinse off their paws and beards.  I've had a number of people ask how their beard remains so white.  I think rinsing them every day has a lot to do with our boys' beards staying white.

As for expelling their anal glands, we've noticed that if we forget to do it, the day after their get their full-service grooming, they scoot their butts to let us know that their anal glands need expelling.  We learned how to do this from the vet, and I am sure that your vet will be happy to show you how (although they may charge you for that service.)  If you're uncomfortable with anal discharge (not that we are *comfortable* with anal discharge), any vet would be happy to do it for you (for a fee, I'm sure.)

I hope this has been a somewhat informative post.  They take a lot of effort and time, but worth it to avoid unnecessary vet visits in the future.  For questions, comments, suggestions, and other post topic suggestions, be sure to comment and let us know!