Dog grooming question

[Mominis]

It feels like spring here and today we began body clipping the OES. His body is coming along okay, we are doing it in bits and it will be a good three day process as we don't want to over-do upsetting him with the clippers. But what do you guys do about around the feet and face? I don't want to use the larger clippers that we are using on his body. We do have a smaller set of clippers, but they don't seem to want to do very well on his thick coat. I'd love to hear your suggestions. If all else fails, I'll take him to the groomer, but I want to learn how to do this myself as the groomer can be pretty expensive. I'd rather save the professional job for right before horse shows.

Also, as a side note question, I know many of you have large dogs. How are the received at the shows? Should I even plan on his joining us at the shows or should I put him with the dog sitter when we go? We have always taken our dog to shows before, but we've never had so large of a dog and so small of a horse.

 

[luv2ridesaddleseat]

Mominis, I'm a groomer and I own my own grooming business. First of all, what size blade are you using to shave your dog with? What are you looking to accomplish? A finished coat like a labrador all over or something longer? Same lenght coat from head to toe? It's hard to help unless I know what you want.

Joyce

 

[Mominis]

Oh, sorry. I just want to clip him down to bare and start over with his coat. He is an inside dog and only goes out to potty, play, or walk. He will soon be going to the barn as well, on lead obviously, to learn about horses. I have started his clip with a #10 blade and I have the (forgive my terminology here, I have no idea what I'm talking about) most part of his trunk clipped now. Basically from his hips to his neck are done. I've started scissor trimming on his legs, very carefully with blunt ended shears, as well. Tomorrow, I plan to do his chest and his backside and tail with the smaller clippers. Then the third day, I plan to do his feet and head. Last year, I just scissor trimmed him and it worked fine, but he grew out really choppy looking so we have to start from scratch again. I used a skin and coat conditioner on the area I've clipped so far to prevent dry skin and to help condition the hair coat.

Bless his sweet patient heart to put up with me learning to groom on him. He's a great dog. Any advice you have for me is welcomed. I grew up with cats and not dogs and this full coated dog really has me confused. Once I get his coat shaved down, I will consult a local groomer to help me learn to grow him out and keep him in a proper coat. I just don't want to have to take him to be done every time. I'd like to learn how to do it myself. Not only will it save money, I think it will be a nice bonding experience.

 

[luv2ridesaddleseat]

Ok, first, the dog has to be perfectly CLEAN and 100% dry. The 10 blade is absolutely the SAFEST blade for a non-professional to use! I know you said something about using smaller clippers? What size is the blade on those? You should use the 10 blade, head to toe for what you want. includes armpits, groin area, butt, face feet, legs, everywhere. Your dogs coat will be SHORT as you can see as you've already started with a 10 blade. I found this picture on google of shaved sheepdogs. These I'm sure are done with 10 blades. http://picasaweb.google.com/richstep51/RDS...242735307863826

Let me know if I can help with any other questions.

 

[Mominis]

The smaller clippers also have a #10 blade on them. They are battery powered and don't seem to want to cut through his thick hair very well though. That could pose a problem. I'm going to recharge them and see how they work tomorrow. So far, Nigel seems quite happy with his new haircut. Last year when we cut him down with scissors, he had the same, almost embarrassed, look that the dogs in those photos do. lol Thanks for the link. The good news is that he'll have some time to grow out before he has to be seen in public. lol

I really appreciate the pointers, thanks heaps!

 

[luv2ridesaddleseat]

Mominis! I don't think these shaved Sheepdogs look bad at all!! I like them shaved rather than totally covered in hair! As a professional groomer, I WANT you to be able to shave your dog yourself if thats the way you like him!! Please feel free to e-mail me when ever you want to ask questions of grooming your dog. I would love to help you in any way I can!

Joyce

 

[Mominis]

Oh Joyce, I agree. I don't think they look bad either. But, Nigel did act sort of embarrassed last year when we took all his hair off. Frankly, we have a tree in the backyard that puts off those spikey ball things (I have no idea what kind of tree it is, I want it removed though), they come back into the house with him attached to that long coat, and despite my best efforts, many of them make it out of the mud area just inside the back door.

So, clipping him has added benefits for ease of housekeeping. lol I do think OES are just gorgeous in full coat. I'm not sure if I will ever master dealing with it, but I'm sure going to give it a go. I really appreciate you helping me with this and I will sure let you know if we hit any snags in the grooming process. It's so nice to have this forum, everyone here is so helpful!

 

[luv2ridesaddleseat]

Hope your grooming came out to your satisfaction! Remember, practice makes perfect!!!