Dog Grooming Instructions for Using a Hair Clipper

Brush or comb your dog before using electric dog-grooming clippers.

Paying a professional groomer to give your dog a haircut several times per year can become a costly endeavor. Numerous companies sell high-quality electric dog-grooming clippers that you can use to trim your dog's hair, even just as a touch-up between trips to the groomers. Cutting your dog's hair yourself with electric clippers allows you to make the style of cut on your dog that you want. Using electric dog grooming clippers is simply a matter of plugging in the clippers, connecting the right attachment and cutting your dog's fur to the right length and style.

Things You'll Need

• Slicker brush
• Detangling comb
• Electric dog-grooming clippers
• Clipper guide attachments
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Brush or comb your dog fully prior to using electric dog-grooming clippers. Verify that you have removed any matted clumps of fur with either a slicker brush or a detangling comb.

2. Clean the blades with the cleaning brush that came with your clippers to remove any clippings from the previous usage,

3. Attach the appropriate clipper guide attachment to the clippers for the length of cut you wish to make on your dog; there are generally five different lengths of attachments included with your clippers. Connect the attachment over the blade area until you hear it snap into place.

4. Cut the fur along the way that it grows, from the root to the end. For example, if you are trimming your dog's torso and back, start at the base of the neck and work your way along the spine to the base of the tail. Cut another swath the same length next to the cut you made previously. Continue in this manner until all of the fur has been cut.

5. Remove the clipper guide by pressing on the base of the attachment and pulling upward. Replace with another clipper guide for different length cuts,

6. Remove the clipper gate in order to use just the blade to shave the fur close, such as on the feet or base of the tail. Adjust the lever on the side of the clippers up or down to change the height of the razor cut.

Tips & Warnings

• Use scissors to even out the cut or trim extraneous hairs missed by the clippers as well as around the dog's eyes and mouth.

• Use caution when cutting around the face and underside of the tail as the areas are very sensitive. You should never use electric clippers around your dog's eyes or stomach to avoid injuring the dog.

References

• Dummies.com; Grooming Your Dog's Hair with a Clipping
• Lowchens Australia: Grooming & Clipping Tips
• Andis; Safety Instructions; Using Trimming Guide