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!

January 2014. New Year, New Resolution, New Blog

Happy New Year!!

As a New Year's resolution, I decided to finally make time to write a blog about the lives of our two Miniature Schnauzers, Buster and Bolter.  For most of you reading this blog, you are probably familiar with them through our Instagram page, @buster40k (www.instagram.com/buster40k), thank you so much for following them; I truly love to take pictures of my boys, but I am so grateful for the followers who have shown so much love and support through the past years.  For others who may have arrived at this page by accident, I hope you will enjoy reading the adventures and daily 'sch'-enanigans of the boys.

I am a mother to two very different Miniature Schnauzers.  Buster is an overly-analytical, 2-year old boy who analyzes every move he makes, every smell, and everyone he meets.  I can often hear his thoughts before jumping down from high places: "From this height, there are two possibilities. I can either A) be successful, or B) injure my leg. If B happens, I may not be able to go to the dog park for days. On the other hand, Mom may give me more treats.... but she may not... and if that's the case...".  Whenever I call him, he looks into my eyes, analyzes the situation, and weighs the pros and cons of complying with my request.  After 2 years, I've come to the realization that as his mother, I must be the patient one, and let him think things through before he acts on them.

Bolter is a carefree 1-year old boy.  He is extremely passionate; he loves fiercely, and hates fiercely.  Every moment in his life is driven by his emotions.  Afraid of nothing, including dogs twice his size, he goes balls-to-the-wall, despite his lack of balls.  His fierce love and hate can easily be seen at the dog park we frequent.  There is an Asian lady who visits the dog park with her pug, Toto.  While we exchange greetings, I have never talked to her in-depth.  Nonetheless, Bolter adores her.  Whenever she enters the dog park, he forgets everything and runs to her side to shower her with wet kisses and cries of happiness, and then proceeds to show Toto the same love. I can only attribute the love he shows her and her dog to the fact that she vaguely resembles me.  On the flip side, whenever he encounters an English Bulldog at the park, the hairs on the back of his neck stands, he growls, bares his teeth and attacks.  No matter how calm, cute and friendly they are, Bolter's hate for English Bulldogs never sleeps.  He was born and raised on a 12-acre ranch with other Miniature Schnauzers and in the past year has never had a "bad experience" with English Bulldogs except for those he started himself.  His hate for Bulldogs will forever be a mystery.

Life is never dull with these boys.  From battling Buster over pieces of his nail that he doesn't want taken away, to climbing to an elevation of 10,000 ft and back, only to look down and see Bolter smiling at me as if to say, "Ok, Mom. That was easy, can we go to the dog park now?", I cherish every moment I have with them, which is why writing a blog about them will come easily.

I hope to update this blog at least once a week.  It may be about conquering another mountain peak, or just the daily grooming they are forced to endure.  I would love to hear your input on topics and subjects.  Comments, questions and suggestions are greatly appreciated!