Tips to safely clip your pet
The very first and perhaps the most important step to safely clipping your pet, is ensuring that that the coat has been prepared properly. Clean, conditioned and knot-free fur is the absolute best way to ensure your clipper works effectively and your dog is protected from discomfort or pain (nothing pulls at the heart strings like a yelp from your pup!) The other trick here is to understand that a dog can look clean and untangled on the surface but basically be hoarding a whole mess of dead dur, dust and dander. Those hidden surprises lay underneath the deceptive top coat just waiting to slow down your clipper, cause pulling, friction and potentially damage to both your clipper and pet. It is always in the best interests of you and your pet to brush, wash, dry and brush before clipping. No shortcuts here folks!
Keep heat in mind. Naturally, friction causes heat. To prevent the blades from overheating, ensure you apply oil to the blade before you begin clipping. Follow the 5 points of oiling before you start: place 3 drops of oil on the front of the blade and 1 drop on each side. You should also intermittently check the temperature of the blade as you clip (with caution!) If you find the blade is becoming too hot you can add oil, coolant or change the blade for another one. Place hot blades on a surface that can absorb heat, like baking sheets.
Another important consideration in safe clipping is a pet that is well-adjusted to being groomed. A calm pooch will mean less movement, less distress and a much safer environment for clipping.
Expose your pet to general handling and reward the desired behaviours. Stroke and hold the chest side and back first, gradually moving to less tolerable areas like the legs. You might then follow with briefly lifting the legs up one at a time. Once we've had successful training with these areas, we could begin touching the paw pads, nails and ear flaps. Go slowly and reward positive and calm behaviour consistently.
Expose your pooch to the clipper slowly. Start by simply turning them on in the vicinity of your pooch. Use a soft tone and reward calm behaviour around the clipper.
Choose an area that is well lit. You need to be able to clearly see what you're doing. Visibility helps with identifying mats in the coat and working cautiously and precisely around delicate areas.
Your blade needs to be sharp to prevent the clipper from pulling or tugging. The best way to maintain a sharp blade is with proper preparation of the coat before clipping. You may also want to consider having your blades professionally sharpened, or alternating between blades.
If you aren't sure of what length to cut the coat to- start with the blade that will provide the longest cut, or choose the largest attachment comb and work down.
For a sanitary trim (genitals and rectum), be very gentle. Using a number 10 blade is best practice around these areas for a safe cut.
There are few blades that you should basically avoid unless you're a professional. The #7 blade and any skip tooth blades have large gaps between the guard teeth and it's therefore all too easy for skin to become stuck and injured. The 'safest' blades are a #4 and #5 blade. These blades can be used happily on bare skin.
Attachment combs can be super handy, but a common misconception is that they protect against all cuts or injuries. The longer the comb, the less likely the skin is to become stuck.
There are parts of your dog that you'll want to be particularly careful running a clipper over. These include: armpits, groin, neck, bony areas, the Achilles tendon area at the back of the legs, flank and anywhere there is loose skin. Just be mindful that these areas are delicate. Ensure the skin is smoothed or stretched out.
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Phone : 02 9683 7816
Email : sales@kramarimports.com.au