How to Shave a Dog with an Electric Shaver

Taking your dog to a professional groomer for a haircut can be expensive over time. Many dogs, like long-hair dog breeds, need to be trimmed and groomed on a regular basis due to their thick, fast growing coats. Learning how to properly shave your dog with an electric shaver is a must if you want to save money and keep your dog as safe and comfortable as possible.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog collar
  • Scissors
  • Garbage bag
  • Brush
  • Electric dog shaver
  • Size 10 blade
  • Wide 10 blade
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place your dog on a secure table and have an assistant hold the dog in place. If you don't have an assistant to help keep the dog in place, you can attach a collar to the dog and hold onto it while you shave the dog's hair.

    • 2

      Use scissors to trim away any matted hair found in your dog's coat. Discard any matted fur by placing it into a secure garbage bag.

    • 3

      Brush your dog's coat thoroughly to remove any stray hairs and tangles. An electric shaver will not cut properly if your dog's hair is a matted, tangled mess.

    • 4

      Put a size 10 blade on the electric shaver. According to the PetEdge website, the size 10 blade is a short and safe blade that's used for sanitary cuts.

    • 5

      Shave the hair around your dog's eyes, ears, underarms and groin area. Place the electric shaver on your dog's face and shave upward, away from your hand toward the eyes and then around the corners of each eye. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America recommends holding the clippers, so the blade is parallel to the skin. Lift each ear flap and shave the hair out and away from the ear. Lift each leg into a comfortable position and shave the hair out and away.

    • 6

      Remove the size 10 blade and place a wide 10 blade on the electric shaver. According to the PetEdge website, the wide 10 blade has a wider blade sweep than the size 10 blade and is commonly used for full body shavings.

    • 7

      Continue shaving the rest of the dog's hair. Place the electric shaver behind the dog's head, against its coat and move it in the same direction that the dog's hair is naturally growing. The ASPCA recommends shaving the hair to a 1-inch length, but never down to the skin, as fur offers protection from the sun.

    • 8

      Brush your dog to remove any stray hairs and clean all materials used thoroughly. Throw all excess hair into a secure garbage bag.