How Can I Sharpen My Dog Grooming Tools?

Grooming your dog is a necessary part of responsible pet ownership. Short-haired breeds, such as Chihuahuas and greyhounds, are simple to groom and require nothing more than a bath and an occasional brushing with a soft-bristled brush. Breeds with denser coats, such as poodles and shih tzus, need to be trimmed with clippers or scissors to prevent uncomfortable mats. Sharpening your grooming tools can be done at home and will keep your dog looking neat and tidy.

Things You'll Need

  • Clippers
  • Screwdriver
  • Shallow bowl
  • Blade cleaner
  • Toothbrush
  • Blade sharpener
  • Clipper blade oil
  • Shears
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the clipper blade from the base. Loosen the screw on either side of the base of the blade, and pull the blade gently from the retaining clips on the base.

    • 2

      Lay the blade in a shallow bowl, and cover with bade cleaner. Let it soak for 15 minutes to dissolve dirt and grease, and scrub it with an old toothbrush. Rinse the blade under running water and allow it to air dry.

    • 3

      Place the blade on a flat surface with the flat edge of the teeth against the surface, and clip the magnetic holder to the back of the blade. The holder allows you to move the clipper blade over the sharpener without injuring your fingers.

    • 4

      Coat the surface of the blade sharpener with a few drops of blade oil and turn the sharpener on. Lay the blade flat against the sharpening surface, and move the blade in small, circular motions for five to 10 seconds. A properly-sharpened blade will have a uniformly shiny, even surface. If the blade has uneven dull spots, sharpen it in five-second increments until it is sharp.

    • 5

      Replace the blade in the base and tighten the screws to hold the blade firmly in place. Add a drop of oil to the center of the blade and allow it to run for 30 seconds to evenly distribute the oil over the freshly-sharpened blade.

    • 6

      Open your shears fully and lay the open blade against the guide on the back of the sharpener. This guide helps keep the blades aligned as you grind away the dull edge. Move the blade in a circle slowly over the sharpening disc, turning the shears over to sharpen the other side once the blade is uniformly sharp and shiny.