So you wanna groom your own dog...
I strongly encourage and will answer
any questions anyone has, this is about
your dog and it's well being!
Buy a quality clipper, it's worth it's weight!
You'll pay $150.00, but you get a
free blade with it...
THIS IS A MUST!!!
Don't cheap out on me here!
Get a good slicker brush,
this is a small one, I use a large.
The wires must be bent on the end,
this pulls out the loose hair,
around $10.00...
Get a good pair of toe nail clippers,
I know, I know, you are all
chicken shit when it comes to this,
but grab a small container of Quickstop,
a dab of the powder will stop
the bleeding NOW,
trust me, even a groomer
misses every once in a while,
but it needs to be done
once a month!!!
Shears, since I only groom small
dogs now, I don't buy into the
pricey shears anymore, I buy my
scissors from Sally's beauty, do buy
the longest ones though,
around $20 bucks...
the above shears can run up to $400.00
for the pro models, but then you
have to find a sharpener that won't
ruin your scissors, with the cheaper
salon styles, you can replace when dull.
I'm going to show you all you need
to do it yourself...
this is a #10 blade, this is the one
that comes with your clipper.
This blade shaves the tummy area,
under the tail, the pads and feet
(of poodles)
and under the eyes.
Don't even buy into the plastic guards
that many clippers have...
USELESS
unless you really know how to use them!
This is a #7F blade, my fave...
this is for summer clips, it takes it short.
I use this on the backs of westies,
schnauzers, cockers, but it can be
used all over if really short is what
you need, but not as short as a #10,
leaves hair an eighth to a quarter inch.
All blades will run from $20-40
and most are in interchangable
with other clipper models. Use a blade
lube to keep sharp and a blade wash
to clean hair out...more on that later!
A great blade, this can be used all over
the dog or when you use the#7F on
the body, a #5 can be used on
the legs, so the dog doesn't look scalped.
Leaves hair one quarter to a half inch long.
The comb is for fine scissoring, like
the topknot/legs/tail, comb against
the grain then scissor off long hairs.
This comb is great because it's
teflon coated...
NO STATIC CLING!
The most important thing for you
to remember is always groom your
dog on a table and
MAKE HIM STAND!!!
They will be antsy at first,
but will soon learn, if they wiggle,
the table wiggles, hence
dog stands still(in theory).
Don't scream or show frustration,
patiently work at making him stand,
NEVER HIT!
Sometimes I'll tap him on the head
with the comb or scissors, just to remind
that we're working here...HELLO...
This is all you should need
to take care of your dog and
get rid of pricey, uncaring groomers,
don't get me wrong, there's a lotta
great groomers out there...
BUT...isn't this what you got
a dog for,
now take care of it!
And please remember, you can always
email me with questions...K...
