Grooming Clippers

Proper positioning of the clippers is essential to achieving a smooth and even cut. When using the clippers, always ensure that they are held at a slight angle to the dog’s skin, rather than perpendicular. Doing so can help avoid cuts or irritation.

Clipping with the grain: This refers to clipping in the direction of hair growth to achieve a longer, more natural-looking cut. This method is ideal for maintaining the natural length and texture of a dog’s hair coat.

Going against the grain: This means clipping against the direction of hair growth. This results in a shorter cut, which can be ideal for specific hairstyles to adhere to the standards established for certain breeds or during the warmer months of the year.

Spend a few minutes playing with your dog to burn off extra energy. A short walk around the block can also be a good idea. Having a calm and somewhat tired dog can help pave the way for a more positive and stress-free grooming experience.

Prepare your dog’s hair coat for clipping with a thorough brushing or combing to remove dirt, mats, and tangles. A detangling brush can be used if there is some tangled hair. For severe matting that is difficult to brush out avoid using scissors to cut out the mat without a comb to protect the dog’s skin. Matts, dirt and mud will clog clippers, dull the blades quickly and make the grooming process inefficient. A detangling brush can be used if there is some tangled hair. A clipper can also be used for tangles, but this may leave a bare patch in your dog’s hair coat that will, however, grow back again with time.

Here’s the grooming sequence that professional groomers recommend:

Start with the dog’s body, working your way from the shoulders and neck towards the rear.

Tip #1: Always clip with the grain for best results.
Tip #2: Clip as close to the body as desired, keeping in mind that your pet needs protection from the elements.

Clip the dog’s chest and belly, including the areas where the legs meet the belly and the upper part of the legs. Next, trim the dog’s hind legs.

Tip: Work from the upper part of the leg downwards.

After the body, clip the hair or fur around the dog’s paws and tail.

Clip the head and face last.

Tip #1: Place the clipper against the top of the dog’s head, making sure that the spokes of the blade are facing the rear. Choose a guide based on the desired fur length. The clippers should be pulled toward the back. This will push the fur away from the dog’s upper brow.

Tip #2: When clipping the muzzle, start at the bridge of the nose, pulling the clippers downward in the direction of the dog’s mouth.

Tip #3: If there’s a need to clip or trim the fur around the dog’s eyes, place the clipper flat against the forehead with the spokes of the blade facing the nose.
Tip #4: Always be careful when clipping around the ears, mouth, eyes, and nose. Be extra cautious of possible head movement or jerking motions.

When there is a need to trim excess hair on the underside of the muzzle, gently wrap the dog’s muzzle with your free hand, pointing it toward the ceiling. Place the clipper flat against the chin with the spokes facing the throat, moving the clippers toward the dog’s throat.

If there’s excess hair on the dog’s ears, gently hold the tip of the ears between your fingers, making sure that only the excess hair rests above your fingers before clipping. Do the same along the ear edges. A small trimmer can be used to trim the excess hair inside the dog’s ears.

Proper clipper care and maintenance are essential because of the following reasons:

To ensure the clippers last as long as possible
Maintain proper hygiene
Achieve the best possible results

Without proper care and maintenance, the build-up of hair, debris, and oils can clog clipper blades and cause damage over time. Blades can become dull prematurely, which means they need to be replaced more often. It’s also highly unhygienic. Dull and dirty clippers might even injure the animal!

Tips for Clipper Care and Maintenance

Cleaning the clippers

Make sure to unplug and disconnect the power cable if the clippers are electricity-powered.
Remove any attachments.
Use the cleaning brush to remove as much hair and debris as possible from the blades. Any buildup could travel down into the clipper’s mechanisms and interfere with its function, slowing it down or causing jamming.
Disassemble the clippers by referring to the instructions in the manufacturer’s manual.
Soak the blades in an appropriate blade wash solution. Don’t use water to clean the blades or any part of the clippers.
Thoroughly dry to prevent rust and moisture.
Always re-oil the clipper blades after cleaning to prevent friction.

Lubricating the clippers

Well-lubricated clipper blades prevent clipper rash.
Lubricate clipper blades with a suitable clipper oil after each cleaning, and every 15-20 minutes during the grooming process. In addition to lowering friction and preventing overheating of the blades, clipper oil also slows down wear and tear and eases the strain on the motor.
Blades should be oiled before, during, and after grooming. This can help ensure smooth operation and longevity of the blade.
To oil the blades, point the blade in a horizontal position toward the ground. Put a drop of oil on both sides of the blade. Do this while the motor is running. Once done, turn off the clippers and use a paper towel to dab off excess oil.

Prevent overheating

Clipper blades can get hot during operation. Overheating can cause the blade to dull quickly and be uncomfortable for your dog during grooming. We recommend using a cooling spray every few minutes.
If you have replacement blades, you can swap them out until they’ve cooled off. It’s also a good idea to take short breaks throughout the grooming process to prevent the clipper from overheating.

Disinfecting the blades

The blades must be disinfected after every use with an appropriate germicidal and fungicidal spray. This can prevent the spread of germs and keep them performing well.

Storing the blades

Safely storing the clippers protects them from damage and misalignment. Keep the clippers away from water and moist environments.

Thoroughly read the user's guide before
using the clippers on any animal.

While grooming is essential for maintaining the health and well-being of dogs, the process can be a potential trigger of dog anxiety for several reasons:

The dog is not used to the sensation of being touched.

The unfamiliar or strange sound of the clippers

The unfamiliarity of the grooming process

Some dogs have sensitive skin or may be prone to skin allergies and irritations.

A regular grooming routine should be introduced gradually to a puppy early in life. And these sessions should be positive experiences for your dog.

Noise desensitization

If it’s your dog’s first encounter with a hair clipper, noise desensitization is very important. Here are some tips to acclimate your pet to the sound of the clippers:

First, show your dog the new clippers and let him smell them. Then, gently rub the clippers all over your dog’s body while they’re still turned off. Make sure to do this while talking calmly to your dog and offering healthy dog treats.

Take a few steps away from your dog and turn on the clippers. If he remains calm, be quick to reward the desired behavior and praise your pet.

If your dog appears anxious or afraid when you turn on the clippers, use recordings of clippers online or a hair dryer in a cool setting for just a few seconds at a time. Play it at low volume while your dog is playing or lounging around. Always reward your dog with a favourite treat or two when he remains relaxed. Gradually increase the volume over time while leaving the clippers out in the open so your dog can sniff and check them out.
Once your dog is comfortable with the sound of the clippers, begin clipping in short sessions. Focus on areas where your dog is comfortable, such as the shoulder or back.

Always end grooming sessions with a positive tone by offering dog-healthy treats.