How to Trim a Goldendoodle’s Face

Too short? More off the sides? More off the top? As a dog mom, I enjoy trimming Happy-Go-Doodle Chloe’s hair. Our DIY Goldendoodle haircuts are a time for us to bond, to work as a team. But, when it comes to figuring out how to trim a Goldendoodle face, especially Chloe’s adorable yet floofy, fluffy mug…

I sit. I stay. I’m stumped.

What I learned from a master groomer

But thanks to the Wahl® Animal team and to Suesan Watson, a Wahl® ELITE team member and Certified Master Groomer, I’m now more comfortable grooming Chloe. If you’re wondering how to trim a Goldendoodle’s face, you’ve come to the right place.

Meeting the Wahl® team and getting an impromptu tutorial from a dog grooming expert

I had no idea that a surprise “mini course” on how to trim a Goldendoodle’s face would be part of our experience at the BlogPaws Pet Blogging and Social Media Conference. Generally, I groom Chloe myself without concern about taking too much off here or there, but for special occasions like this one (where Chloe and I would be meeting pet brands, pet bloggers, social media experts, and hundreds of other adorable dogs), I took Chloe to a groomer. Then, with our bags packed and our hearts filled with dog-loving excitement, we headed to downtown Kansas City.

A hair trimming tutorial: What I learned about how to trim a Goldendoodle face

I had attended a pet blogging conference in the past and I knew that many brand sponsors shared products and tips. However, I was so surprised when, as we visited with the friendly team from Wahl® Animal, they offered to trim my doggo’s hair on the spot!

I’d been looking forward to meeting the Wahl® animal team. Wahl® products were part of our household. We’d used Wahl® shampoo since Chloe was a puppy and her human brother and dad use Wahl® brand beard trimmers.

Still…a little part of me was unsure about asking Chloe to hop up on a grooming table in the middle of a busy conference. How would this go? What would her trim look like? On the other hand, I was at a pet blogging conference! Where was my “say yes” attitude?  Why not live in the moment?

Seize the scissors, so to speak!

So, without another thought, Chloe jumped up on the grooming table and we took advantage of a “golden” opportunity. Suesan had such a calming presence, a pleasant demeanor, and a friendly smile. Immediately, I could see that Chloe was comfy under her care.

As Suesan was gently brushing Chloe’s fluffy mop of hair, she chatted about how to create the doodle look. I explained that trimming Chloe’s Goldendoodle face had always been my biggest hurdle. That’s when the light bulb came on and I asked Suesan for her guidance. She was so agreeable to help me out and share her tips on video.

What a golden moment. By the end, Chloe could sense how a-dood-able she looked. I’d learned how to trim a Goldendoodle’s face from a grooming pro, and we’d met the friendly team from Wahl® Animal. I didn’t think it could get better.

But there was a surprise ending to the story.

As we chatted with the Wahl® Animal team about the Wahl® brand’s four-generation history and products that are made in the USA, I asked where Suesan was a groomer. The words “Westminster Dog Show” stopped me in my tracks—like Chloe when she spies a squirrel.

What?!?

Chloe had just been trimmed by a professional groomer who had groomed the lovely dogs who compete in the Westminster Dog Show! What a happy surprise! Chloe’s hair trim truly was a golden moment—the kind that comes along when you have a Goldendoodle dog with an adventurous spirit by your side.

I later learned that Suesan Watson is a third-generation pet stylist with a 40-year career in helping pets look their best. She’s a Certified Master Groomer, a Wahl® ELITE  (Experts Leading Innovation, Technology, and Education) team member, and yes, groomer of the year at the Westminster Dog Show! However, her accolades don’t stop there. For more about Suesan’s experience, check out Learn2GroomDogs.com.

So how can you bond with your dog by learning to trim your doodle at home? Here is our how-to video. Or, you can read on for the cliff notes version.

Click the play button below to watch Suesan Watson demonstrate trimming a Goldendoodle’s face

How to trim a Goldendoodle face…

1. Gently comb the hair on the top of the head forward. (Kudos to Chloe for standing patiently.)

2. Instead of trimming at the eye, go slightly above it. Leave the lash so that the Goldendoodle has some covering over the eye.

3. Gently fold back the ear. Comb up the side of the head.

4. Comb the hair in front of the ear back.

5. Trim the ridge of hair in front of the ear so that the ear lays flat against the head. Also, this will serve as a landmark to help you round up to the top of the head. The goal is to create a rounded look. 

6. Comb up the side of the face and fluff.

7. Scissor trim starting at the bottom of the chin and go up to the top of the head.

8. Repeat on the other side of the head.

9. Create a circular look using the chin, both sides of the face, and the top of the head as guideposts. 

10. To trim under the chin, comb up the hair and fluff out.

11.  Neaten up the chin and create a circular shape going around the head.

 

12. Trim the corner of the eye to keep hair out while leaving the eyelashes, which are part of the doodle look.

 

TA-DA! The finished look…

A special thanks to Suesan for kindly sharing her expert tips with us during the BlogPaws conference. Finally, we’re so grateful to Wahl® Animal for being a conference sponsor and helping dog owners care for dogs in the happiest way possible.

My new mantra?  “Why say “haircut” when you can say “hair cute!” 

With her new “hair cute,” Chloe was ready for the evening red carpet event and awards banquet that capped off the BlogPaws conference and celebrated pets and the people who love them.

The happy-go-doodle ending: Trimming Chloe’s Goldendoodle face

Now that I have practiced what I learned from our friends at Wahl® Animal, I have fewer “Sit. Stay. Stumped.” moments. I’m grateful that, through our “hair cutes,” Chloe and I share another bond, a chance to be a team.

Tips that I’ve learned from trimming Chloe’s Goldendoodle face:

I use round-tipped scissors since I’m more concerned about safety than precision. I don’t want to take any chance of hurting Chloe.

I give Chloe plenty of treats and praise.

I ask a family member for help as needed.

I continue to take Chloe to the groomer for special occasions and for sanitary trims, which I hope to learn soon!

At the end of her haircut, I tell Chloe how cute she looks, and we celebrate with a “high paw” or two.

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Wahl® Animal Product Giveaway

With $265 in Wahl® Animal products as the prize

We are excited to announce a Wahl® Animal Prize Package giveaway with an ARV of $265! Wahl® Animal has generously offered to give these products (Wahl® Professional 5 in1 Clipper, Wahl® 5 in 1 Detachable Blade Set, Wahl® Clipper Oil, Wahl® Dog Grooming Apron, and Wahl® Grooming Tote) to one randomly drawn winner. To enter for your chance to win, please follow the easy instructions in the giveaway form.

This contest has ended.

Continental U.S. only, ends 11/12/18 at 11:59 p.m. CT. By entering below you agree to the giveaway rules.

Do you groom your dog at home? We’d love to hear. Please comment below.