How do you keep the muzzle and face hair out of puppy's eyes.

by Connie
(England)

My five month old puppy has beautiful dark eyes, but they are permanently hidden behind her face hair.
Any suggestions?

Comments for How do you keep the muzzle and face hair out of puppy's eyes.

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Dec 14, 2018
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video NEW
by: Anonymous

I tried finding the video. I have a new Coton and I suffered endlessly in trying to find a groomer who could keep the Coton look with my last Coton. I have a 5 month old and he can't see. I did take him when he was 9 weeks to my old groomer and asked her to just trim his eyes. It was just ok. Then it grew out and it was time again so I went to another groomer that is loving and kind. I used to use her for my other Coton. She sorta cut it crooked. Well here we are again 5 months he can't see and I have been bathing him to get him used to it as well as, not wanting to go to the groomer. They say you should get them cut in a puppy cut of which he'll look like Maltese:))) I struggle all the time. Just wish I could do his eyes myself. Will give it a try myself.
I feel bad he can't see. I need a visual on the eyes.

May 03, 2012
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grooming the eyes
by: Lisa

There is a coton grooming video $60 at barkeeninstyle.com(click the coton collection section)a portion of the proceeds from all coton items sold are donated to UCARE Coton rescue.

I felt the video was not as easy to duplicate the puppy cut as expected but taught me be how to get out/keep out mats with the slicker when blowdrying and how to keep the coton shape-even when cutting shorter & many other tricks. I love the unique look of the coton and do not want him to look like every designer dog out there in a puppy cut. Yet, I find it is hard to find a groomer that even knows what a coton is never mind that they require a different form cut than other breeds to maintain the coton look in a puppy cut. I guess you could take the video to your groomer. Since I like Snug to keep the full furry coton face, but I still want him to be able to see. Here is my technique for grooming the eyes:

Step 1:I cut out the hair that gets wet(teary) around the eye to help reduce tearing. Use round tip scissors only.

Step 2:cut the hair in a thin row(not wide) above the eyes/across the forehead, just short enough to make a shortened wall that will help hold back the thinner hair from the next step.

Step 3:I take my thinning shears and little by little take the bulk out of the tips of the hair just behind that line. Cut too much and he'll look bald and you will have to puppy cut the whole head. I have him shake between cuts and do small bits at a time.

Step 4:The last step will be to do the hair that falls to the side of each eye, as this will fall in his face. Again with the shears cut into the tips first, work your way up if necessary but no more than 1-1/2" in. One cut/comb/shake at a time until you have it the way you want it. I do this only until there is no more fur in his eyes, but he still has the long furry coton face that we all love. If necessary, and it usually is, you can use your thinning shears to blend so that there are no distinct cut lines above his eyes. 1 or 2 cuts with the thinning shears in any one spot, during this whole process, is all you should need. Lastly, I round his mustache and that is all I cut on his head. He is still my unique looking coton but he can see :) Hope this helps.

Feb 15, 2012
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French Braid
by: Alika Tia Cotons

I have recently started putting a French Braid in one of my Coton's hair instead of the "double pony tail". It works only on my dogs with longer hair though. One of mine has shorter hair on her head which even the pony tail elastics don't last long in.

Feb 07, 2012
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Puppy eyes
by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

If u mean muzzle by the hair that the sleep falls on I use thinning scissors to feather the hair & use a flea comb to whisk through it daily for the sleep or as the one person said a cotton ball w/peroxide mixed 1-10(careful of eyes.)

Bangs I trim since I do not show & Jonah does a lot of sports such as friz bee, ball and walks. I tried putting up in small rubber bands which I took out nightly since I would hate my hair to always be tied up & thought I was being foolish I luv his eyes.

Feb 07, 2012
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Muzzle and face hair
by: Joyce

I think you should imagine how you would feel with that hair in your face. I keep my boys trimed so they can both see and I enjoy their wonderful faces. Good Luck

Feb 07, 2012
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Thanks
by: Anonymous

Thank you for your answers so far.

Feb 07, 2012
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hair in face
by: Anonymous

When I took my coton to the groomers they totally cut her bangs and I was so irritated. Luckily I didn't complain because guess what? I grew quickly to LOVE IT! I could see her pretty eyes and face. Unfortunately she can't show AKC with any of her hair shorn so it's growing out again. I used to pull it up in a doggie rubber band but I've got a puppy now and he'd have a belly full of bands if I did that!

Feb 07, 2012
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Patience... i think!
by: Andrea

I have the same problem! My puppy is 3 months, and his hair is covering his gorgeous eyes. In the morning, when I clean his face, I wet a cotton ball and this usually smooths it down, but in 5 minutes, he looks like he can't see again! I spoke to the breeder about this and she said to just let it grow out. Eventually, it will be long enough to fall flat (the muzzle hair) or tie up (above his eyes). I just can't wait for his hair to grow! He's constantly pawing at his face, so I know it must be irritating him at times.

Feb 07, 2012
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Hair do ideas
by: Anonymous

We used to use small plastic hair ties for an up do. She began pulling those out or trying to eat them. I finally relented and cut her facial hair "puppy cut" style. I didn't like it at first but it has grown on me and she can see finally.

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