If you were to get one quality pair of scissors to trim your dog with (whole body) any suggestions? (somewhat within a budget) The recent post here about brushes and combs helped me make those decisions but still undecided about the scissors....and would chunkers work better than scissors?
So far in my cart are the CC face buttercomb and 20 mm wood pin brush.
If you were to get one quality pair of scissors to trim your dog with (whole body) any suggestions? (somewhat within a budget) The recent post here about brushes and combs helped me make those decisions but still undecided about the scissors....and would chunkers work better than scissors?
So far in my cart are the CC face buttercomb and 20 mm wood pin brush.
On the advice of several professional groomers I know, I buy my shears (and thinning shears) at Sally's Beauty. They are EXTREMELY sharp (I've cut myself with them more than once, and not even felt it... just seen blood running, knew I HADN'T cut the dog and went looking for which finger I sliced! ) and also quite inexpensive. I am SURE I paid less than $20 for mine, and it could have been under $10. After 7 years of using them for sanitary and foot trims on all of them, and two full haircuts on Pixel, they are getting dull enough that the last time I cut myself, I felt it. Probably not the BEST way to determine blade sharpness, but, hey! :laugh: So I am planning on getting a new pair soon. I use the thinning shears to get rid of any choppiness left by the straight shears.
I treated myself to a more expensive pair of curved shears at the national specialty a couple of years ago, and they are very helpful for trimming neat feet. But they were a LOT more expensive (and DEFINITELY not "top of the line"!!!) and I don't think they re at all necessary to get you started. I know a lot of pros who prefer straight shears, even for doing feet.
There are different blade lengths, so pick up different styles and see what feels good in your hand. Even though, for a woman, I've got fairly large hands, I like the shorter blades. I feel I can control them better around small body parts... especially near Pixel's eyes. (of course, the other two don't get any facial trimming)
LOL Karen I'm not sure if that method of testing sharpness will catch on but it's very effective!
Very glad to hear I can get a low cost pair of good scissors there is a Sally's not far from here. I already have a shorter pair that seem to work ok but I've only been brave enough to do bangs and feet so far so would take a long time for whole body. It sounds sort of like painting, bigger brushes for large areas and smaller brushes for detail work
So you get your thinning shears there too? Anything to consider, spacing or size or ?
What all are your most used items in your grooming bag? Is a slicker important also I have a couple but inexpensive and although work OK not great.
LOL Karen I'm not sure if that method of testing sharpness will catch on but it's very effective!
Very glad to hear I can get a low cost pair of good scissors there is a Sally's not far from here. I already have a shorter pair that seem to work ok but I've only been brave enough to do bangs and feet so far so would take a long time for whole body. It sounds sort of like painting, bigger brushes for large areas and smaller brushes for detail work
So you get your thinning shears there too? Anything to consider, spacing or size or ?
What all are your most used items in your grooming bag? Is a slicker important also I have a couple but inexpensive and although work OK not great.
My go-to tools for the two in full coat are my two CC Buttercomns, my #5 and my face and feet. For Pixel, my go to is the slicker. She still has enough fine baby coat coming out that that does the best job. I have a cheap Universal slicker that is OK, but is a little large for her in places. I also have a smaller CC slicker that seems to fit herr better. The handle is also angled better for my hand. (though this, I'm sure is very much personal preference). My favorite one was a gift... A Le Pooches. I'm not even sure they are still available, but they were VERY expensive. (around $100). There are extremely similar, very expensive ones being sold by Cherrybrook at the shows now, and I wonder if they are the same thing with a different name. In any case, though I love mine, I don't think I would have bought it for myself. The CC one works fine.
My last go-to tool is my CC wood pin brush. That is what I use when drying all of them. It's easy on the skin and gentle on the hair,, as you blow dry them.
The slicker is a godsend. We got a nice and soft one at a show that has a handle that can change positions, which makes brushing at odd angles a lot easier. It works at mats quickly but very gently, and it cuts the leg-brushing time in half. While not necessary, a good one can make a world of difference.
What brand and style Sophie? I have two that work OK I don't know if there are ones that work better or not but mine are not real expensive ones so am guessing there is. Just not sure what kind to get or if it will be much better than what I already have?
I don't remember the brand. It was from a show vendor, and we have one this weekend that he will be at. I'll get the brand from him. If you are interested and can't find it online, I can grab one for you and ship it your way (and if you don't like it, I'll take it back ) It's not the highest end slicker, but it's the perfect softness and has survived a couple pretty aggressive grooming sprees and it's pretty common among exhibitors here.
I, too, am very interested in the brand. Lola HATES the comb on her hind legs and all paws, but will tolerate the slicker. It's also my go to for mats just starting to form. I have a CC one right now, which, btw, is also the cat's favorite.
Sophie, I didn't know ANY slickers were soft! I'd love a photo and the information on yours, too. Maybe the guy at the show will have business cards you could get and share with us?
Tucker is getting more and more sensitive about his lower legs and feet being messed with the older he gets. (I wonder if that is purely age related?) Anyway, he really HATES me to use the CC comb I've always used, but really prefers for me to use the slicker. However, I am very conscious of how it could scratch so always run it over my hand first, each stroke. I'l love to find a soft one.
I've got a CC wood pin brush, but he doesn't like it any better than the comb, and it doesn't do a very good job on the feet, anyway.
Sophie, I didn't know ANY slickers were soft! I'd love a photo and the information on yours, too. Maybe the guy at the show will have business cards you could get and share with us?
Tucker is getting more and more sensitive about his lower legs and feet being messed with the older he gets. (I wonder if that is purely age related?) Anyway, he really HATES me to use the CC comb I've always used, but really prefers for me to use the slicker. However, I am very conscious of how it could scratch so always run it over my hand first, each stroke. I'l love to find a soft one.
I've got a CC wood pin brush, but he doesn't like it any better than the comb, and it doesn't do a very good job on the feet, anyway.
Wow Sophie that is so nice of you! I would love for you to pick me up one if you are sure you dont' mind. Will PM you my address, do you take PayPal? I'm sure I won't have to send it back!
Interesting about Tucker not liking it the older he gets Sheri. I seem to recall Hallie doing the same thing a little. I think we all get more impatient the older we get lol.
Interesting about Tucker not liking it the older he gets Sheri. I seem to recall Hallie doing the same thing a little. I think we all get more impatient the older we get lol.
It is interesting to read that about Hallie's feet, too. No, Tucker doesn't hate the CC comb, just when it is used on his feet. He doesn't like ANYthing on his feet, just the comb bothers him the most there. He's fine with being combed anywhere else. And it didn't use to bother him. Just this last couple of years.
I would be lost without my Oscar Frank Universal slicker! I use it every day. The groomer used it so I bought it. I had tried several different ones in the past, but this works the best for me. The slicker is not expensive. The handle is plastic so I always keep an extra one. Once I had the handle break after several months use. It works great on mats too.
I also love my Oscar Frank Universal slicker brush. Use it every day. Purchased mine on Amazon and got the smaller one. Think it would be nice to have both sizes though.
Oh, and on the thinning shears, I think I just asked the Sally's people for a recommendation. But since I think you said the person who has groomed Sophie in the past is a friend, why don't. You ask her? I don't want to lead you wrong, and there are no marks on mine saying what they are.
Wow these brushes and whatnot can be astronimically expensive! I had no idea. I may just use a fork!
Thanks for the great tips both of you! I'm anxious to try out the new stuff I especially am anxious to see how much easier it will be on Sophie than what I am using now (which isn't real bad).
I can't ask my groomer about the thinning shears because she would be upset I want to do it myself LOL! She's a good friend and likes to reciprocate for the photos...but I worry now about any stress for the little miss. Plus more convenient to just give a trim anytime at home.
I also love the CC wooden pin brush that Sheri recommended. Works great to smooth the coat out. I purchased the large brush although the smaller one probably would have been a better size.
My go to tools for Leo and Rex are the CC buttercomb #5, face and feet comb and tail comb which I actually use all over after the buttercomb because it will catch little mats that the buttercomb misses. I use a CC wooden pin brush when I blow dry them. I have a couple of CC slicker brushes but have never loved them. I actually use them more on my larger short coated mutts than on the Havs. The slicker works great for them as it catches the undercoat. They shed lots especially the largest, shortest coated one! Rexy is coat blowing this summer and I think if I didn't comb through with a fine tooth comb a couple times each day I would end up with a matted mess. I will be interested in seeing how much matting happens once he is past this stage. I think the challenge with many tools is getting mats before they get big enough to be so tedious to pick out.
As far as scissors are concerned I have a 7.5" straight shear, a 7.5" inch curved shear and a 7.5" 46 tooth thinning shear made by Monk. I have been using them for 3 years now and the only one that is dulling is the curved shear. I need to find a way to get it sharpened. They were all in the range of $70 at the time I purchased them but I do use them regularly and I figure I will for much of Leo and Rexy's life. Assuming I can find a good way to get them sharpened when they need it.
There are videos on You Tube that show scissoring selection and grooming of drop coated breeds. I watched one the other day of a guy using thinning shears to do the coat of a drop coated dog. I am going to try some of his techniques with Leo today as I want to shorten his coat a bit. I figure if it goes well then I will have some new techniques to use and if not the hair will need it again in a couple of months. What to lose? Right? Ha! It would be great to get the perfect hair cut and then shut off the growing for a time so you could admire the handiwork for more than a few weeks! Learning to groom yourself takes a bit of time but then you have control over how your dog is handled, how often you.groom, and the style of the coat. I get better each time I give Leo a haircut. The thinning shears will help blend scissor marks. Cut with the direction of the hair rather than across it and this will also help keep the scissor marks to a minimum. I highly recommend watching some videos first. Look for ones on drop coated dogs but even ones on poodles can let you see different scissoring techniques. Then it is a matter of practice. Go slow. You can always take off more hair but it takes awhile for the hair to grow back if you take off more than you want. Not too long but a few weeks. Also you don't have to do the whole dog in one session. If you or Sophie gets tired then stop and do more another time. She might look a bit funny until you get her done but you are more likely make a mistake if you are tired or she is antsy. I have to admit that there are times when I would like nothing better than to hand Leo and Rexy off to someone else to groom but most of the time I am glad to be able to tend to their grooming needs myself.
A few years ago there was a new grooming DVD out by Jodi Murphy. I bought one and have watched it a couple of times. Since I have absolutely no grooming experience and have not even been able to SEE a dog groomed, it was helpful to me. If I get to the point of giving Tucker a short cut I will be watching it again.
You guys have me excited to have another go at Sophie now once I get all the fun new grooming toys!
I think we should have a challenge, everyone take before photos of their dogs then attempt to groom and see the afters. It might make a good coffee table book too lol.
Silly Kodi! LOL! I wonder if the feet are just more sensitive like our hands have a lot of nerves since we use 'em for touchin' stuff. Sophie lets me handle her feet fine but does resist some when I go to comb (can't blame her) so I've been working with her just standing and me holding her foot and touching with the comb, click and treat thing. She's come miles from when I first would bath and groom her on the table where she'd spend her time straining on the loop and reaching her front legs out as far as she could trying to reach a comb or brush she could chew on.
I'm writing down everyone's suggestions. And Pucks that was a great bunch of info!!!! Very helpful.
Oh and Sheri I love Jodi's videos! I'd love to see full versions. I have watched tons of grooming videos they make it look sooo easy
You guys have me excited to have another go at Sophie now once I get all the fun new grooming toys!
I think we should have a challenge, everyone take before photos of their dogs then attempt to groom and see the afters. It might make a good coffee table book too lol.
Silly Kodi! LOL! I wonder if the feet are just more sensitive like our hands have a lot of nerves since we use 'em for touchin' stuff. Sophie lets me handle her feet fine but does resist some when I go to comb (can't blame her) so I've been working with her just standing and me holding her foot and touching with the comb, click and treat thing. She's come miles from when I first would bath and groom her on the table where she'd spend her time straining on the loop and reaching her front legs out as far as she could trying to reach a comb or brush she could chew on.
I'm writing down everyone's suggestions. And Pucks that was a great bunch of info!!!! Very helpful.
Oh and Sheri I love Jodi's videos! I'd love to see full versions. I have watched tons of grooming videos they make it look sooo easy
I went to the vendor who usually has them and he didn't have any with him this go around. It was raining pretty hard, so I wanted to get out of there and didn't check other grooming supplies vendors. If I see them tomorrow, I can pick up a few (they don't break the bank) and will keep any people don't want. Otherwise, I'll keep my eyes peeled for them at future shows.
Thanks so much for trying Sophie! I wish we knew the brand so you didn't have to the footwork for us WOuld you happen to have a photo of yours maybe I can find it online.
Willow doesn't like a slicker. I think maybe it's just too prickly as she has a thin coat. She doesn't mind her feet being handled at all but she does have a preference on which side of the body she likes to have groomed. She lets me comb and groom the right side but when I turn her to do the left side (I don't have a walk-around table - just a counter), she will try to turn around and present her right side again!
Two of mine do that too, but I don't think it's because they mind one side being groomed more than the other. I think it's more that they don't like facing the other way on the table. Panda, OTOH, is absolutely a riot. She gives every indication of ENJOYING her "spa treatments. She lies down, on her own, (I didn't teach her... I have failed miserably at teaching my other two to lie down for grooming!!!) I groom one side, then I give her a gentle poke and say, "Other side!" And she gets up and repositions so I can do her other side. The consequence is that I NEVER pull a mat accidentally, because she lays so still, and let's me work carefully. Kodi is pretty terrible about it unless he's in a grooming loop, and even then, he moves enough that HE always ends up pulling against a TINY knot, then you can tell he thinks it's all my fault! :wink2:
Even for nail clipping, Panda hands me each paw like a lady getting a manicure. She's a riot. I've been told that her dad is this easy to groom too, but I thought it was because he's a big-time, on-the-road show dog, who is used to getting major primping daily. Maybe it's genetic! :laugh:
This is the slicker we use. I thought I had found one version of it in the backwoods of the internet, but there are a couple slight difference that make me think it's either a newer model of the same brush or a completely different brush altogether.
Added an attempt at showing an instance where the rotating head makes things much easier.
Our beloved slicker was left behind at a run through and wasn't there when I went back for it. I'm going to look high and low at shows to find another of the same kind, but until then, does anyone have any brands they recommend that are small and soft and not to pricey?
Thank you Sophie!!!! I will do some searching too I just put your photo into google images but it couldn't find anything.
Do those darling legs belong to little Nino??
No problem! And yes, he makes for a cooperative little model (seems to be a Hav trend) The current hair length makes the legs look like a munchkin cat's.
Panda and Nino sound heavenly and too good to be true about their "spa" treatments! What good little puppies! It is fun to read about them and their little ways.
So I can't recommend any inexpensive shears. The best are Kenchii. They have some very small more affordable ones... their Love line. But Kenchii are by most groomers I know the top choice. I have 3 different models of theirs. I also have used the Geib Gators and Evolution (which I Love, but are quite pricey).
I highly recommend thinning shears. And chunkers are fine but they dull more quickly than other types of shears.
For sharpening, if you can't get to a show, send them to Jeff at Northern Tails. He's online. He is very good and reasonably priced. Other than the manufacturer he's who I trust (I have tried a few and most are not worth wasting time or money on).
Jeff also sells so shears at a fair price.
Good luck!
Panda and Nino! Wow! Such perfect doggies! Willow is pretty good, actually. The groomer says she is great to groom. She'll hold still and doesn't fight. Doesn't mind having her feet handled either. She definitely does not go to sleep while being groomed though!
Thanks Kats that is great info! I have more searching to do!
I just got the CC wood pin brush and the buttercomb in my mail box. I have to say I was a little skeptical that either could do significantly better than what I already have but I was wrong. What a difference!
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