Grooming your dog

[JcMack]

My long haired Chihuahua is black n tan and her long coat means she really suffers in the heat, and I can't have her in the sun for longer than 5 mins. I like to do as much maint. on my dogs as I can myself. Daisy's hair is fine and dense. I tried using an electric clipper on her with mixed results. The clipper was one for people haircuts. Are dog clippers different?

 

[Rule3]

The "dog" ones probably just cost more.

When we had our English Springer we trimmed with a pair of regular haircut type.

Dogs with a double coat type of hair require a different type of grooming (like GS Dogs)

Everything I have read states long hair dogs should not be overly shaved in hot weather. The coat acts as insulation both ways.

My Sister (up North) has two show Alaskan Malamutes, talk about hair!!

 

[JcMack]

The "dog" ones probably just cost more.

When we had our English Springer we trimmed with a pair of regular haircut type.

Dogs with a double coat type of hair require a different type of grooming (like GS Dogs)

Everything I have read states long hair dogs should not be overly shaved in hot weather. The coat acts as insulation both ways.

My Sister (up North) has two show Alaskan Malamutes, talk about hair!!

What happened to your user name?

 

[Rule3]

What happened to your user name?

Just time for a change.
Actually having worked with folks with all kinds of disabilities for many years, I really should not have had the name in the first place.

 

[rondo]

We have a Silky Terrier that also suffers in the heat. I keep suggesting to my wife that we give him a major clipping, but she will have nothing of it. I picked up an electric dog clipper at the hardware store some time ago and it works well for basic grooming but I have not really gone at it so I don't know how it holds up to a buzz job.

For the real hot days we have a small plastic kiddie pool. He really likes to lay in about four inches of cool water, but then his long fine hair is a real mess after he dries out.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Perhaps S&W Forum member Doublesharp will offer some dog grooming tips.

 

[TACC1]

My wife used Horse clipers. OSTER brand?

Our Sheltie had super long hair, Great for winter in Wisconsin,
not so great for summer. Trimmed him down pretty good in the spring, and he was good to go until the hair grew back by fall.
TACC1

 

[JcMack]

Here's a cell pic of the little twerp last fall. I gave her a hair cut since the pic a little while ago. She still needs help.

 

[JcMack]

We have a Silky Terrier that also suffers in the heat. I keep suggesting to my wife that we give him a major clipping, but she will have nothing of it. I picked up an electric dog clipper at the hardware store some time ago and it works well for basic grooming but I have not really gone at it so I don't know how it holds up to a buzz job.

For the real hot days we have a small plastic kiddie pool. He really likes to lay in about four inches of cool water, but then his long fine hair is a real mess after he dries out.

I had a long time girlfriend that shared ownership of 2 Yorkies. (like small Silkies) In the summer she would trim them like mini, mini, Schnauzers. They really looked cute. She had the patience and expertize to make them look good.

 

[boykinlp]

I have 2 dogs that I groom myself. It saves alot of money,but of course, my job is not as slick as a professional groomer. The biggest thing that I learned over the years was to buy a quality set of clippers. They will pay for themselves fairly quickly.

I used to use some clippers that I bought from Walmart that were cheap and made to cut human hair. I ahd to replace them after about 1.5 or 2 years. The model I have now is the Oster Golden A5. When I bought them about 10 years ago, I think they cost about $175 at a pet store. They have worked very well. I only have had to replace the blades. You can actually have the blades sharpened, but I have just replaced them.

A professional groomer charges about $50 per dog and wants to groom them at least every other month. I usually wait about 4 months to clip them. Money can be saved if you do it yourself, but buy the right equipment.

 

[Pete99004]

Human clippers are fine for some breeds, but have #30 blades which do not work for double coated dogs at all and are more for "surgery" clipping. A #9, 10, 15 works best for most coats (so you don't take them down to short) Any double coated dog should not have their top coat removed, but should have the downy undercoat removed in the summer heat. This done with a stripping knife (like a furminator brand) If you decide to groom yourself, find a good groomer you like and ask for tips for your breed or go online and research your breed so you don't damage the coat or dog in the process. If you seek advise from a profession groomer - offer to pay them for the time they spent with you - they probably won't charge but they should be paid for their time and expertise. One of the worst things people do is cut dogs that should not be cut. You think your helping your friend cool off when in fact your making things worst. Most of the time a small shallow kids wading pool is all they need - most of the heat is dispersed through the dogs feet, so just getting the feet wet helps cool them down. Wahl makes an excellent clipper for horses and dogs called an ARCO with adjustable - replaceable - blades that is cordless/rechargable. If your looking for a good clipper, check it out.

 

[DeathGrip]

+1 on the ARCO.If you remember I have a Giant Schnauzer.My wife grooms him but he has a whole different type of coat than your dog.We also have a Sheepdog and really don't do to much with her,She's wash and wear and we don't even have to wash her to often.She's the only dog I've ever had that we could get away with that and not suffer 'stink dog".We don't even hardly ever brush her.Amazing little dog.

We also have a kiddie pool for them.

I really don't know what to do with yours.Good luck,

 

[mg357]

we take our 4 year old pekingnese to the groomer once a month and they do a really good job for a very fair price.

 

[Bicky Robby]

Our Beagle's don't shed much. But man they to roll in real stinky stuff.

 

[ChuckS1]

Find a good vet supply catalog. I bet the price will be cheaper. My wife uses an Oster on her horses. And oh, BTW, you don't know what shedding is until you have a Huskie...

 

[doublesharp]

My little dog Squirt has super thick fur. I did this number on him with scissors because he was suffering in the heat and it was 2 weeks until his grooming appointment. He liked it fine but my wife was less than thrilled.

This is how the pro cleaned him up. Goes again 7/19/11. $80 for both dogs. My wife is quick to pay as she's seen what happens when I'm left to my own devices.

 

[captorquewrench]

I botched up a persian cat coat. Pet clippers are indeed different.

I just wash Bear in irish spring. takes care of fleas AND stink. but no clipping or brushing.

 

[John Eilertson]

I've always been a Lab man, so shedding is my only concern, but my mother and sister each own Yorkies. My mom lives half the year in Phoenix, AZ. They have had their dogs groomed, but will often as not do it themselves. When those little mutts get trimmed they look even smaller! As far as my dog is concerned, he handles the heat alright, but I do have a kiddie pool for him to refresh himself in. It's maybe 6" deep, and I keep it in whatever shade I have outside. So, I guess what I'm getting to is that they each use human clippers to trim their dogs, and it seems to work well. Just a little scissor work around the heads, but mostly with clippers. The small size of their dogs makes the whole "concentration" part a bit easier.