Clipping problems

[silke]

Hiya,

I have got the proper 'kit' for grooming Charlie  (Andis clippers, two blades, 10 and 7F), good quality scissors etc, but I always seem to make a mess of doing him. I'm very hesitant, and he always looks terrible, with a very uneven cut, a lot of the time it doesn't look that different, just more messy, and I just can't seem to get it right - the fur on his paws is still too long, same on his head and face and on body (just with 'holes' in it). 

Any advice?

Silke

[JaspersMum]

It might be because you are hesitant, the more confident you are, the better the clip..

Do you use Michele's guide pinned on the top of the grooming thread, it's an excellent guide

[Holly Berry]

It might be because you are hesitant, the more confident you are, the better the clip..

Do you use Michele's guide pinned on the top of the grooming thread, it's an excellent guide

Good advice, I was just the same when I first started, but you just have to bite the bullet. My OH refused to take Holly out in daylight after her first trim 

Print off the guide so that you're not doing it from memory and if you can find somewhere that runs grooming courses its worth going. My local Agricultural college runs breed specific 1 day courses designed for pet owners where you take your own dog and get taught how to clip or handstrip etc.

[silke]

Thanks everyone! I think it is because I'm very, very hesitant, and just do a little clip here and a little cut there. I might see about doing a grooming course for pet owners.

[Michele]

Silke, just go for it! If you're not happy with the way he's looking now then you can't do any worse 

When you use the clippers on the body have the blade laying flat to the coat, don't push down but have a firm pressure, start around the shoulders and work your way down always going in the direction of the coat. If you run the clippers in the palm of your hand whilst turned on you will see that it's virtually impossible to do any damage. The only area to have care is clipping inside of the ears, because of all the knobbly bits - technical term 

One thing to remember about grooming, even if you mess it up, is that hair will always grow!! 

[silke]

One thing to remember about grooming, even if you mess it up, is that hair will always grow!!  shades

Good point, Michelle! Thank you for the advice.

I'd groomed Charlie today, and when OH came down, I asked him if he noticed anything about Charlie. He didn't! I think I'll try again tomorrow.

[spanielcrazy]

When you use the clippers on the body have the blade laying flat to the coaton't down but have a firm pressure, start around the shoulders and work your way down always going in the direction of the coat.

Yes, work on maintaining even pressure on the clippers and make long strokes with it, not little short choppy ones. For example my first pass with the clippers goes from the nape of the neck all the way to the tail, then down the sides.

It takes a lot of practice (and errors!  ) to get it, and I think everyones first times with the clippers usually ends with a dog who looks like they've been groomed with a weed whacker, I know mine did! 

[silke]

Sorry to dig an old post of mine out again, but I just wanted to thank you for the advice, it works.

I used to be really hesitant with clipping Charlie and just do a bit here and a bit there, and you couldn't see the difference, it just looked 'chopped into'. After your advice to be more bold and just go for it, and to use long stokes, I finally have, and it worked!

My heart was in my mouth, so much seemed to come off, but I just kept going, and Charlie looks loads better. I was fed up of waiting for a place at the groomer to become available and him looking 'over-grown' in the meantime, so I thought I'd just give it a really good go.

It may not be perfect, but it's loads better! So thank you!!

[Michele]

Well done for being brave, and I'm glad you're happy with your achievements. Keep at it and each time I'm sure you'll get better and better