cheryl4237

Hi everyone!
I really really want to start grooming Charlie myself. But I'm not sure where to start. When I first got Darby, our toy, years ago, I tried to do her grooming, and it was just awful. The clippers wouldn't get through her hair, no matter how well brushed, and I couldn't get her to hold still for her face. I tried a couple of times, then gave up. In all fairness, I was using a $50 pair of clippers, which at 18, and a part time job, seemed pretty high end lol I'd like to get a great pair this time around, hopefully for around $150? Is that realistic? I want to keep him in either a short german clip, or a bikini clip for summer. What size blades should I get? Do I need combs? A trimmer for the fft? Do I need a dryer, even for a short cut? Any suggestions for clippers? Sorry for all the questions, I just really want to be able to do this, and don't really know where to start. I'm sure grooming newbies ask all of you these same questions over and over. Sorry:( Also, would it be ok to ask his groomer for a lesson, or to watch while he groomed him? Or would that be weird?
Thanks so much everyone!

CharismaticMillie

Cheryl, where have you been getting Charlie groomed in the past? I live in St. Louis and would love to know of more good groomers!

cheryl4237

We get them both done at Dogtown Groomers. It's on Tamm ave, in Dogtown. It's a small shop, but the prices are great, and they do wonderful work. I'm so in love with them. Since their so small, everything is supper personalized. It has that old fashioned feel, you know? where everybody knows your name

LunnieDoodle

I don't know how much you want to spend in all but what I would say for necessities for grooming at home would be:
-clipper, andis 2 speed, km2 or something similar.
-30 blade + wahl stainless steel combs if you plan on keeping him in any styles like the german & lamb or anything with length.
-shears, geib gators curved 7 1/2 would be small and short enough to do the detail of the poms on the bikini, I think they're like 50 bucks.
-a trimmer like laube speed feed, acro se, or bravura. I personally would want a trimmer for grooming at home too, I find there is less chances of nicks happening and giving clipper irritation. They're light and easy to use, quiet. They're about $150 too and do lengths from 9-40, but also have some combs with them which may come in handy. When you buy a big clipper you usually get a 10 blade, you could get by with that for the face/feed/sanitary until you could get a trimmer.
-7f blade if you want to do a short summer trim
-slicker brush + greyhound style comb
-Not really necessity but I might have a 4" blunt tip pair of shears too, they are great for lots of things like trimming ear leathers(german),

You probably should have some type of dryer, a small hv or something.. Standards can take forever to dry.

I would ask your groomer to see if they would be willing to do a grooming lesson, I do them if anyone asks for help.

Good luck, if you have any questions you can pm me anytime!

cheryl4237

thanks so much for all the info Lunnie! It is really helpful. I'm going to be ordering all the stuff this week. Do I need powder for his ears? Does it dull the pain of plucking the hair out?

LunnieDoodle

It doesn't dull the pain it makes the hair easier to grip. I tell all my puppy owners to start tugging at the fur inside of their ears as soon as possible, not to pull it out so much as getting them used to the feeling. Do it while your watching tv or something. When you are ready to pluck them do short sessions where everyone stays happy and un-stressed, make sure to give some yummy treats afterwards. Don't forget to buy cleaner too.. ooh and nail clippers.

dazydaizee

Just wanted to add...
I LOVE the Andis LightSpeed Clipper. $145 at Petedge: PetEdge: Andis AGCL LightSpeed Clipper
You wouldn't think the light would add so much, but it's been so useful with matted shelter dogs and black or dark dogs. They're also quiet, relatively light (this is a big issue for me, many clippers I've tried have been too heavy for me, my arms just go numb after holding them for too long, but these are much easier on me). I just love them... they withstand a lot of abuse.
I've also learned that I'm nothing without my tiny shears. I picked up a pair of 4420 4.5 or 5" shears? Nothing special, but I can get obsessive so I've become dependent on my little scissors. I dropped them for the second time and have been counting the days until my scissor guy comes to fix them again (tomorrow morning!) I use them just as much on big dogs as small... I don't usually complete a groom without them. And with smaller dogs I'll use them in place of my regular 8" shears. They're a necessity for me.

LunnieDoodle, I love your tip on getting pups accustomed to ear plucking. So simple, yet I've never thought to suggest that to clients or try on my own dog... Thanks for sharing, very helpful!

LunnieDoodle

No problem Dazy! I must say that my 4" blunt tipped shears are a must have for me too, but I wasn't sure if it would be a must have for a pet owner. I have the roseline ones, curved and straight, love them!