Hi there!
We hope you all had a great holiday weekend. We know many of you had family gatherings planned and we imagine your bellies are still full from all the good eats!
The three of us enjoyed a fun-filled weekend, and once again, took almost 300 photos! We’re excited to share some of our favorite dog friendly spots in Austin. We just need to find the time to sort and edit the photos. Does anyone have a magic trick that will give us a couple extra hours each day? 😉
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We already posted photos of Gus after his recent haircut, but thought it would be fun to show you the process. Because Gus is our mystery mutt, there are no specific cuts we feel obligated to stick to. We give him one major summer cut each spring, and then several trims throughout the year. It’s a dreaded task (it usually takes at least 90 minutes for the full cut), but it saves us quite a bit of money and the stress of leaving him for hours at the groomer. We had a negative experience with a groomer when Gus was a puppy and decided it was something we were willing to try on our own. After our first DIY haircut, we never looked back.
d 
Here’s a shot of the fur mid-cut.
Are you done yet?
Ahhhhh…peeing is so much more comfortable now that my hair is short.
d 
This next photo really highlights the fact that we are not professionals. His neck, chest and legs are always difficult to trim with the clippers which results in a jagged cut. We jokingly refer to his cut as a “hack job” and there are always a few cringe-worthy areas we notice after we’re done.
Side note: Hmmm…since his neck, chest and legs are difficult to trim, that doesn’t leave much else!
Maybe we should make dog yarn out of the leftovers? 😉
After his cut and a bath, Gus was a maniac. He zoomed around the house for a solid 15 minutes after he was done. We like to imagine he feels faster after a haircut.
M loves Gus’s hair after he’s had a summer cut. He thinks he looks sleek and smooth. Personally, I miss his long, wispy locks. Lucky for me, his hair grows fast. 😀
Do you do any DIY grooming at home, or do you leave it up to the professionals?
We do all of Gus’s grooming at home, with the exception of expressing his anal glands. That’s one procedure we gladly pay someone else to do!
According to Gus 
Sila
April 25, 2011
What a handsome guy he is! 🙂
Minnie and Mack
April 25, 2011
With your cut we can see your sleek body! Gus, you are so handsome as always.
Mack and I are lucky that we are short haired….so no haircuts! Hu-mom bathes us at home in the bathtub. We usually air dry and of course, the zoomies for Minnie.
We were told bath time will happen this week before hu-mom and hu-dad leave for Las Vegas for hu-brother Josh’s wedding! We want to smell nice and fresh for dog sitter Ellen!
We don’t have any hints for making photo edits any easier. Sorry! but if you come across some, please share.
Drools and licks,
Minnie and Mack
Jasmine
April 25, 2011
love the cut
2browndawgs
April 25, 2011
So much fur for such a little dawg. We love his flowing flocks, but he looks much more comfortable after his cut. 🙂
Angel @ Life with LuLu & Wally, too
April 25, 2011
So handsome! I love being able to really see his cute little legs. He’s got kind of a bulldoggy stance, doesn’t he? Absolutely adorable!
According to Gus
April 25, 2011
Yes – we say that often about his stance!
Judy
April 25, 2011
We are also “DIY grooming at homers” when it comes to Tiffy. Although she does enjoy an occasional trip to a professional salon, we try to keep up her haircut ourselves at home. Tiffy does the same crazy running after a bath and grooming session too. LOL Gus has a great new look. You really did a nice job. I find the most difficult part is trimming around the face. It never seems to come out “just right” but Tiffy doesn’t seem to mind:)
Anna
April 25, 2011
You can tell some dogs just love having hair cuts. It looks good. You could try getting some blending scissors. It may he’ll smooth things a bit on the chest and neck. Though you all are prolly the only ones that notice.
If you find a faster way to sort and edit let me know. I use the bridge program in cs3 to mark ones to delete with red Lanka then select whole red Lot and delete. Then I will sometimes go through and star rate. It helps me come back and grab winners to work up. That’s all I can think of to help.
Glad you had a nice weekend, we do grooming of our dogs here, bath, curry, mails, and yep even anals.
Anna
http://Www.akginspiration.com
According to Gus
April 25, 2011
I do the same thing in CS5 – marking the no’s as reject in review mode and then mass deleting them later makes the process so much easier! I haven’t started rating yet, but that would be a great way for me to mark my favorites and work on those first!
adventureweiner
April 25, 2011
I only have Elements but maybe I should look into their organizing program. For now I have been doing it by hand on the camera and computer.
Kirby the Dorkie
April 25, 2011
Oh Gus you’re naked! But still under cute!
I trim Kirby at home too. We paid for a cut last summer and they shaved the hair on his nose and tipped his ears. Awful! I trim his face and feet with scissors throughout the year and use a clipper to lightly trim the rest. We like him with a scruffy look.
Kirby the Dorkie
April 25, 2011
Meant uber cute!
raisingdaisy
April 25, 2011
I think Gus looks great with both longer and shorter hair. His summer “do” does make him look sleek and somehow bigger! We do our own grooming at home too, except for the ear pluckings Daisy needs every few months, that just freaks me out. I have to trim Daisy every other week because her hair grows so fast and tends to mat, but her summer cut is on its way. We’ve been practicing with the clippers, but who knows what will happen when we go for a full-scale cut – she hates getting clipped!
Elizabeth
April 25, 2011
Oh, Gus! You naked boy, you! 😮 (He would be adorable with no fur – and I think he could be part pug?)
I commend you for this; I can’t do it by myself (on Jon Farleigh the fluff). I trim around his ears, tail and bum, but leave the rest for the groomer. He was a puppy last summer, so we haven’t done a summer cut yet. The appt. with the groomer is next week (and I’ve gotten advice from a Cardi person to have them shave him down to 1″.) I’m afraid – even more so than when my child got 10″ cut off her head for charity. Ugh.
BTW, not that you need to now, but as someone else mentioned, thinning shears work wonders to “blend” a blunt cut.
According to Gus
April 25, 2011
That’s great to know – it always looks pretty choppy the first few weeks. I’m anxious for it all to grow out a bit more. I miss his waves!
Pup Fan
April 25, 2011
Gus looks adorable! 🙂
cate
April 25, 2011
Oh yeh Gus! Love the hair-do and I bet it feels sooo good.
adventureweiner
April 25, 2011
300 photos? That all? 🙂
Gus’s new haricut looks great. I bet he loves the feel of air on his skin. Yhat’s probably why he zooms around so fast.
Snoopy@snoopysdogblog
April 25, 2011
Wow Gus,
You sure look sleek after your haircut, I bet you feel a lot cooler!
So far I’ve never had the trimmers come near me, luckily, cos I like my fluffiness. Mum does get big bags of fur like yours though when she grooms me. She’s even said she’s gonna make a sweater and then we could be matching, is your Mum gonna do that Gus?
Have a great day,
Your pal Snoopy 🙂
Alison @The Other Winnie Cooper
April 25, 2011
I tried grooming Winnie at home when I first got her, I thought it would be the best fiscally responsible thing to do…but she was having none of it. And Shih-tzus have a pretty distinct cut–thus I have justified the expense and take her to the groomer every few months.
And the anal gland expressing is worth SO much more than the groomer charges for it!
😉
Kame
April 25, 2011
Look at how pretty and gorgeous you are!!
Tanner & Beth
April 25, 2011
Wow! You look so cool for summer. We are just starting to get warmer weather here.
I get all my baths at the groomer. Mommy says it’s easier than cleaning up the mess of hair that I shed.
Puppy Kisses,
Tanner
herdogblog
April 25, 2011
Gus, you are looking quite sexy!
According to Gus
April 25, 2011
Sexy is exactly what Gus was going for – so glad you noticed. 😀
sagechronicles
April 25, 2011
I bet Gus feels so good with that summer cut! Especially since it’s been so hot in Texas so far this year.
M
April 25, 2011
I hope Gus’s hair never grows out!
Krazy4Pets
April 25, 2011
Nice cut! what did you do with his hair? I have seen some craft stores offer spinning yarn out of your pet’s hair. It sounds kinda weird to me but if they offer it, someone probably have been doing it.
jan
April 25, 2011
I will never be brave enough to try a DIY Poodle cut. Everyone knows what it is supposed to look like so the template doesn’t leave much room for experimenting. Gus looks really cute.
TOto's mommy
April 25, 2011
Gus looks so sleek and refresh!!
With the heat I think Gus would be so happy!
Haha, we handstripped Toto ourselves at home!! Usually it will be a torturous 4-6hours of non-stop finger plucking fur from Toto!! We tried to send him to a professional groomer but TOto was so traumatised, I think it is easier for ourselves to do it. TOto don’t like it, but he knows it is better than going to the groomer, and in the lap of mommy!
So yah we are one of those who do everything ourselves, even nail clipping!
Oscar & Pauline
April 25, 2011
Oscar only needs monthly baths, a quick brush through his fur a few times a week and pedicures (he hates pedicures). We do everything at home, but I wish there was an easier way to trim his nails. Gus is so adorable! Even though Gus looks cute with any cut, I prefer his longer locks, too. 🙂
Vicky
April 25, 2011
Darby desperately needs a good summer cut, but first we have to overcome my groomer paranoia. I do all of his brushing/trimming/cutting now, but would love to find someone I can trust to take his furriness down to a swimable level this summer.
Kas
April 25, 2011
Gus, you look smashing, buddy! I groom Evee myself as well – her curly hair hides any mistakes I make, which is nice. I also just groomed her because of the weather and she is much happier with her shorter coat.
Wendy @ iwuvwes.wuvtags.com
April 25, 2011
HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA “We like to imagine Gus feels faster after his haircut.” Awesome. You’re not a true dog aficionado until you’ve witnessed (and subsequently worshiped) the dog zoomies.
Kari
April 25, 2011
He looks adorable!
Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com
Bailey
April 25, 2011
Awww, Gus looks so cute! My mommy used to bring Nala to the groomers for her summer cut, but it got so expensive. They bought a trimming set a few years ago and have never gone back to the groomers since. They agree that in certain places on Nala you can tell it wasn’t done professionally, but it’s definitely good enough (and they save a lot of $). Nala’s fur is silky soft after it’s cut, and I think she likes it, too! 🙂
Woofs & hugs,
~Bailey
Carly @GreenDogLove
April 25, 2011
Gus looks great with his new haircut! Perfect for the warmer weather. Haha, I cut my boyfriend, Adam’s hair every month. It was scary the first time, but I seem to have it down now.
According to Gus
April 25, 2011
That’s impressive – I can’t even imagine what M’s hair would look like if I tried to cut it. I’m not that brave…yet. 😉
Aleksandra
April 25, 2011
Gonzo would like for you to knit a sweater out of Gus’ extra fur for him. It’s chilly up here in DC, and Gonzo hardly has any fur of his own!
Pip
April 25, 2011
Gus! You look adorable! We usually leave it up to the professionals. Pip is much better behaved at the groomer’s than he is when we try to give him a trim.
Opie and Opie's Mom
April 25, 2011
Wow, Gus looks great! He has such a sleek excellent little doggy figure! Great hair cut!
We are semi- DYI. We give baths and brush and blow dry and condition, but Opie’s entirely too squirmy for us with scissors. Additionally, we only take him to the groomers once a month and our groomer is the same one that groomed him when he was rescued by the Lhasa Happy Home Rescue. The groomer is kind, gentle and sweet and lots of local dog owners know him. We trust him. He also only costs $25 for bath, blow dry, hair trim, trim of nails, anal gland expression. I can’t go to the hairdresser for that! I can’t get one hand done at the nail salon!
So, we take him once a month and while he’s gone we wash all his bedding and toys and clean his crate. In between when he has little “super mud” accidents or rolls in something noxious we give him a bath and a blow dry.
You guys do a great job. We may try to do more for Opie. We are inspired by you!
According to Gus
April 25, 2011
$25 is such a great price for all of that! I can see why you leave it up to the groomer. Our vet charges $19 just to express anal glands, so you’re getting a bath, blow dry, hair trim, nail trim and anal glads for only $6 more. That’s a fabulous deal – I’d hang on to that groomer if I were you!
Chunyo's Corner
April 25, 2011
I love the new summer look! I used to have my old dogs (Shih tzu and Pomeranian) groomed with a short cut for the summer. They used to run around like crazy after. It must feel good to them! 🙂 Fortunately, Chunyo doesn’t need too much in the grooming dept.
simplyshaka
April 25, 2011
Gus is a naked baby!!! Hehe. I leave it to the professionals since Lincoln is super skiddish and I could definitely see an emergency trip to the vet coming out of it.
That would rock if there was a doggie Locks of Love thing going on lol
LBeeeze
April 25, 2011
Hehehehehehee…If you make dog yarn you could knit your own dog (see my recent post).
Gus looks sooooo cute with the short, smooth cut.
veryvizsla
April 26, 2011
I can’t believe all the hair that came off of little Gus! You did a great job, Gus looks very handsome.
Happy.Bark.Days
April 26, 2011
Now that Gus’ winter coat is off, you can really see (and admire) his athletic body 😉 He’s probably showing off how swift he is now with all that running around!
I am so impressed by yours and M’s handiwork with the clippers. Great job, guys! MM and I aspire to groom Maple ourselves, but we’ll need to upgrade our tools if we ever want to see decent results.
didiwright
April 26, 2011
Gosh, I can’t believe how much hair came off tiny Gus! No wonder he feels faster! He looks good, too, you did a good job.
We do all of George’s trimming/grooming at home, too. To be fair, there isn’t much to trim on a whippet, mainly the nails and the odd stray hair on his tail. His hair never grows, so no proper haircuts. He’s shedding at the moment and looks a bit of a scruff, so he’s fast approaching his second bath this year. Which he hates – ha, ha, I can feel a post coming!
Current Instincts
April 26, 2011
Looking dapper Gus!
Erin
April 26, 2011
That is an insane amount of hair, Mr. Gus! I’ve had a few bad experiences at the groomers, too. Who knew that some groomers leave the dogs in small crates to dry? Haven’t they ever heard of a blow dryer?
I love that you left just the right amount on his ears. They make him look very cute. I mean sophisticated.. no, I really mean cute.
Mayzie
April 26, 2011
I think you did a Most Wonderful job and Gus looks super spiffy! There’s not a whole lotta grooming when it comes to me and Brudder Ranger (just baths – shiver! – and brushing) so mom takes care of that. I hope they don’t ever try to cut off my brindle furs cuz I’d be nekkid!
Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie
thatjenk
April 27, 2011
Gus is definitely cute regardless, but I’m with you on this one – I do like the longer hair better. Though, in the summer I’m sure a bit of a trim is also a comfort requirement. Props on the well done grooming job!
Good thing Gus is like a furry little Keira Knightly, and can successfully pull off pretty much any look! (Okay, perhaps that is a terrible comparison to make, but I was really drawing a blank when trying to brainstorm versatile fashion icons. A trend guru I am not!)
Katie
April 27, 2011
Awwww Gussie looks adorable and sleek with his brand new haircut. I think he is probably a little bit faster. He’s more streamlined.
Lori R.
April 28, 2011
I have a friend who used to shave his lab crosses for the summer… with Gus’s ears, maybe bald would make him look like a part Chinese crested(or Mexican hairless). 🙂