Top 10 Tips For Using Dog Clippers at Home
If you’ve just purchased dog clippers, it’s time to try them on. If this is your first time grooming your dog at home, you may have some doubts but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Taking your furry friend to the groomers every time they need a trim can be quite a hassle, not to mention, it gets pretty expensive. We’ve come up with ten tips for clipping your dog’s fur at home.
- WATCH THE PROS AT WORK
Before diving straight in, it’s important to try to do your research. If you’re switching from employing a groomer to clipping at home; it's going to be worth having a talk together with your current groomer and ask for some tips.
Alternatively, YouTube may be a fantastic resource. With many grooming pros offering instructional videos. Some tutorials on YouTube are breed-specific, while others are considerably generalized.
- START WITH A BLANK CANVAS
It’s important to groom, bathe, and completely dry your dog before beginning to clip. Attempting to trim an unclean, or wet dog may result in the pulling of some hair. Overall, it's going to find yourself hurting your dog a touch that can make the entire home grooming experience a nasty one. The last item you would like to try to do is induce anxiety in dogs whenever you whip those clippers out of their pouch!
Drying dogs are often done using an actual dog dryer but they aren’t cheap, so you'll like better to accompany air-drying for an hour or two. Never use a person's hairdryer, they're too hot for dogs and should burn them.
- GET the simplest DOG CLIPPERS
Having the proper equipment won't only make your job easier, but it'll end in a way better aesthetic.
Generally speaking and here again, you ought to only use pet-specific clippers. The explanations why are because dog clippers are specially designed to stay cool for extended periods, to vibrate less, and to emit a lower volume of motor noise. Andis Pro Animal Single Speed Clipper, easy blade change with blade lock design best for grooming on medium-coated and wire hair breeds.
- Do not be AFRAID TO invite HELP
When you’re first starting out, this is often a replacement experience for you and your dog. Asking a friend to help is usually an honest idea! They will be an excellent help in comforting your dog while you get to figure clipping, or by holding him still.
If you're starting with a young puppy instead of an adult, you'll need a touch of your time getting your puppy familiar with the noise, the vibrations, and therefore the heat. Having somebody next to you handing him treats throughout the session will most definitely help thereupon.
- Keep it up TOP OF THINGS
As with anything, it’s much easier to shower your dog with a fast trim, instead of having to start out from scratch and do the whole bulk trim again. Letting your dog’s hair grow for too long may be a guaranteed thanks to overwhelming you, your clippers, and your patience.
The timeline does vary by breed and for every individual, but on average, trimming your fur baby every six to 12 weeks will do the trick. Adding your scheduled future grooming sessions onto your calendar may be a good way to remind yourself! A couple of dog owners simply plan to trim their dog on the primary or Judgment Day of every month so it’s clear and frequently done.
- STRANGE FEELINGS AND NOISES
As explained above, when introducing clippers to a young dog, it’s important to require some time. Let him get won't to the noise and vibrations of the clippers before you begin clipping. Once he’s comfortable with this, you'll switch them on, without the blades, and rub him with it. Remember to praise him the whole time for accepting this, and be able to reward his behavior. If he seems nervous, hamper the method even more.
People owning dog trimmers reception will often train the puppy to enjoy the noises of clippers, hoovers, and hair-dryers by simply turning them on within the other room, or within the same room but distantly. Before you even realize it, your pup won't mind sleeping while it’s running!
- BREED STANDARDS
Different breeds usually need different clips, check YouTube and therefore the Kennel Club website for guidelines to form sure you're still conforming to your dog’s breed standard. This is often especially important if you’re planning on showing your dog, or if you’re aiming for the cutest pup on Instagram!
Remember that although breed standards are a politician's set of guidelines, their interpretation is up to judges and your peers.
- CLIP within the RIGHT DIRECTION
You must clip your dog’s coat within the same direction because the hair is growing. Indeed, cutting against the hair could irritate your dog’s skin and pull hair rather than cutting it. This one may be a definite must-follow tip if you don’t want to finish up with a disaster.
As a rule of thumb, it’s easier to start out on the larger areas; for instance, most home groomers start clipping their dog’s back, working their way towards the smaller areas. If you are feeling uncomfortable clipping your dog’s face and sensitive areas, grab yourself a pair of grooming scissors and thinning shears!
- KEEPING IT SHARP
Sharpening the blades regularly will help the clippers live longer and it'll avoid them pulling your dog’s hair!
To sharpen, clean the blades thoroughly, use Andis oil, and take away any rust with a blade wash if necessary. Then run the blades over a sharpening stone; the rule of thumb is to stay sharpening until they appear shiny.
At some point, it'll be time to vary blades, so perhaps consider upgrading to ceramic blades for a way better quality of cut and cutting experience overall counting on the brand of trimmers you own, you'll have access to a specific range of blades. make certain to understand what blades are compatible together with your equipment.
- KEEPING IT COOL
Many people are unaware of the risks of skin burns from overheated clippers blades. The blades may get hotter than at the beginning, so allow them to calm down before clipping sensitive areas including genitals, paws, and head.
One trick is to show off the clippers mid-clip, then touch them to ascertain whether or not they are getting overly warm. If they're, you'll swap out the blades. Or place the blade on a metal surface to chill before continuing to clip.
Give it a go, and don’t worry if it takes a touch longer. confirm to possess treats at hand if you’re expecting your dog to face patiently for a while! like anything, practice makes perfect. You shouldn’t expect your dog to seem fresh out of the grooming parlour your first time wielding a pair of clippers.
Having said that, if you’re prepared to shop for the proper equipment. Put within the research and practice time, you'll become a proficient dog clipper in no time.
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