Dog Grooming Techniques With Clippers

Whether you want to groom your own pet dog or you work professionally as a dog groomer, you should know some basic clipper techniques. Different dog breeds with different textures and lengths of fur will require some variations; if you know the basics, you can adapt your technique to achieve your desired results.

  1. Which Clippers?

    • Choosing the right clippers will help keep groomer, owner and pet happy.

      Choose your clippers carefully. Do not skimp and use human clippers, as these will not get through a dog's rougher fur or mats. You must purchase professional clippers that cost $150, but a quality clipper set will last you a few years, making the initial investment worth the money.

    Before You Begin

    • Scissors work best for removing mats you cannot brush out.

      Bathe and brush the dog to ensure its fur free of tangles and mats that might jam the clippers. Tangles should brush out easily, but you may need to clip mats out with scissors. Use a comb gently lift the mat gently away from the skin before clipping so you don't accidentally nip the dog with the scissors. You may be able to coax the clippers gently through a mat, but take extra care not to penetrate the dog's skin.

    Relaxing the Dog

    • Take the time to introduce the dog to the clippers. Remember that the sound and vibration of the clippers may be off-putting to a dog -- especially one that is nervous or high-strung. Turn on the clipper, and allow the dog to listen and safely sniff the clipper. After the dog listens, gently lay the clipper against its body so it can feel the vibration. If the dog does not appear reassured by these steps, you may need to give it a light sedative from a veterinarian.

    Basic Clipping

    • Clip quickly but not too quickly. You don't want to miss patches of fur you need to clip.

      Attach a No. 7 blade to the clippers for a basic shave. Fluff the dog's fur opposite to the direction it grows. Shave the dog, moving the clipper along in the direction in which its fur grows. Begin at the neck and work your way to the back end, using long motions to maintain evenness. Move along quickly so Fido doesn't become impatient or anxious -- but not so quickly that the clipper misses spots. You can use the No. 7 on the body, legs, paws, neck and belly, or you may want to go a little shorter on the legs and belly and switch to a No. 10 blade. Regardless, the body should all be the same length so his coat looks even. When you clip the front paws, take care not to run into the dew claw. You may want to scissor clip the face, depending on owner and groomer preference, but do not use clippers near a dog's eyes; clippers pose a potential danger to a dog's eyes, and even a relaxed dog will be unsettled by clippers in its face.

    Back End and Inner Back Leg

    • Use a No. 10 blade and clip around the anal area while holding up the tail, and continue down the back of the legs. Clipping this area short helps keep bathroom mess to a minimum. Gently hold up one back leg while you maneuver the clippers underneath to clip the inside of the opposite leg. Repeat on the other side.

    Variation

    • You can use the clippers in the opposite direction in which the fur grows, but the results will be shorter. Use a longer blade; the overall clip will be shorter when you move in the opposite direction.