javajava

I am a groomer and agree with Kirty, Wahl Single speed are my favourites and they are the brand we use at work. They don't get as hot and are not as heavy to hold as some of the other brands. Whatever you purchase the faster the clippers the better the cut. Look around because you can sometimes get clippers on special - now may not be the best time to purchase as they are in hot demand with the weather warming up. I agree that by purchasing your own clippers and blades you will improve with time and save yourself alot of money. The general guide for blades is the higher the number the shorter the cut - a 40/30 are surgical blades, 15/10 is close cut (for bottom and groin), 7 is usually seen on a clipped cockerspaniel and a 5 on the maltese x/small breed dogs. A 4 for the owner that does not want a short cut - again this is only a guide line and differs in different salons and on different breeds of dogs. Get yourself a slicker brush and a good pair of scissors. Unless the coat is matted or extremely course avoid skip tooth blades as there is more chance of cutting your dog. Your biggest hiccup will be whether your dog is going to be a good client or not!!!! I would never discourage you from having a go at clipping your dog but please be careful. Working in the grooming industry we hear and see heaps of horror stories of dogs being injured, cut and/or people being bitten. Best case scenario would be if someone could teach you - do you have any vet nurse friends or know of a breeder that would help? I would get on the phone and make a few calls. Most people that work with animals would be happy to teach you. Finally if you take the plunge be prepared for a mess - wear denim shorts/pants (hair does not stick and will come out in the wash, closed shoes (in case you drop something), no jewellery that can get caught and finally (I now this from experience) don't groom with your mouth open. Nothing like dog fur for lunch!!!!

Bad news for you! Your dogs coat is not going to improve unless she/he is brushed every night. The dematting tool you are talking about is really only good for getting out matts as they appear. It is painful and possibly cruel to take to a badly matted coat with one. Unless you know how to use one properly it can hurt - it is like pulling a fine tooth comb through a knot in a humans hair. You have to hold the knot and the base (near skin) and work through the matt until it is out. Your dog was more than likely shaved short as the groomer could not save the coat due to the matting, and yes, many owners are upset and think their dogs are ugly when they see them without their coat. Unless the dog can be groomed each night and little matts cut out when they appear I suggest the dog be kept short all the time. What they need to aim for is find a groomer they like get him/her to use a 4 blade (which will roughly leave an inch of fur) and then visit the groomer regularly (3 monthly) to maintain the length of the coat. In winter a jacket can be used if concerned about the cold. A matt will only get worse and more painful if not dealt with. I am a groomer and see the most horrific cases of unkempt dogs. It is upsetting for staff and dog when we have to shave them short and they yelp due to the pain of their coat. Some just sit and seem glad to get help. Don't harm your dog thru neglect or over love!! Either brush, brush, brush or keep the coat permenantly short. Good luck - don't mean to sound harsh but it is difficult for owners to understand that they are doing the dog an injustice by not maintaining their coat or getting it cut. It is the equivalent to a human not brushing their long hair for three months and then thinking they can run a comb thru it and it wouldn't hurt.