Hello everyone! I’m here to ask for advice on dog grooming, especially if dog groomers linger in this sub Reddit. Due to having a very fear reactive dog, both to dogs, strangers, and grooming tools I groom her shave her at home. She’s at a great place in training that I can shave her down fully and safely without an issue. She shows some mild stress signals but nothing severe and she doesn’t run from the clippers or shut down when being clipped like she used to.
Of course with her break through I don’t really intend on talking her to the groomer (until I can get a professional trainer and can get her reactivity under control) for multiple reasons as long as I can keep shaving her safely. I prioritize her safety, others (she isn’t a bite risk but considering how fearful she is of strangers I wouldn’t ever wanna risk it) and other dogs. So at home grooming is the best option to keep her calm, non shut down during the process, healthy and happy, as well as not risk her training by sensitizing her to grooming process again.
Now the issue on where I need help is advice on trimming her beard (she’s a miniature schnauzer mix). Last time I shaved her I did shave her chin down, back of the head, above the eyebrows, cheeks, and ears. I didn’t actually touch her beard area because she was already at a pretty nice length from when I still was taking her to the groomers. I have thinning shears and I wanted to see if anyone had tips or techniques for trimming up a beard. For instance when I start if I should trim up and follow her jawline to the base of her ears. I included some photos. The first is how she looks right now, and the last two are after my first time shaving her to show reference on how short the beard was at the time to know the length i’m going for.