How to Clean the Face of a Toy Poodle

Don't let his facial hair get too bushy.
i poodle image by palms from Fotolia.com

Toy poodles might be small but they are hardly low-maintenance pets. Like their larger cousins, they need regular clips and a thorough grooming routine. Dirt and discharges on the face don’t just look grubby, they can lead to infections -- so keep your toy poodle's face tidy.

Step 1

Fill a large bowl with warm, not hot, water and place it beside you. Ask your poodle to sit. If you have trouble sitting, crouching or bending to the level of a toy poodle, lift him onto the sofa or another piece of furniture first.

Step 2

Brush through the hair around his face and on his ears. Brush carefully in a downwards direction. A comb might be easier for some parts.

Step 3

Dip a facecloth or other clean cloth into the warm water and wring it out. Cup his jaw and wipe his face, again in a downward direction, making sure to remove any crusts or bits of food from around his mouth.

Step 4

Dampen a cotton ball and dab it around the eyes to remove matter or tear stains. Repeat as necessary with fresh balls.

Step 5

Dampen another cotton ball and lift his earflap. Clean the accessible crevices of the outer ear. Do not push the cotton ball into the ear canal. Repeat with a fresh cotton ball for the other ear.

the nest

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