how to shave a dog free report

Dog grooming is a big business in the United States. The cost to shave a matted dog is between $50 and $80, and that’s if the dog is well behaved. If there are any problems, the price could go up an additional $20 to $60. Thousands of people pay these prices every year to have their dogs shaved just so they don’t have to do it themselves, but by following these simple steps, you can clip your own dog and save lots of money. First, you need to assess the temperament of your dog. If he’s the type to become skittish at the sound of clippers, you might consider asking your veterinarian to prescribe a sedative. Most vets will prescribe an oral medicine called acepromazine. Ask your vet if it’s a good option for your dog. When it comes to equipment, don’t skimp on the clippers. Most groomers recommend purchasing a heavy duty pair through a mail order catalog, something like the Oster A-5 clipper. It’s used frequently by dog professionals and will long outlast anything you can buy at the local store. It requires an initial investment of $130, but it is well worth the cost. In addition, most pet stores stock replacement blades in a variety of sizes that will fit these clippers. The standard size blade that comes with these clippers is #10. That’s the right size for a regular shave; it will easily remove all the mats, but it won’t provide too close a shave, like the #40 blade. Your clipper set will include a bottle of oil and a brush. You will need these, so don’t lose them! Depending on the size and temperament of your dog, you will need to decide where it will be best to groom him. Some with bigger dogs prefer outside with the dog on a table. Some with difficult dogs like to work on the floor where they’re easier to restrain. You’ll find out what works best for your dog through trial and error. You might want to consider removing mats by hand before you clip the dog, as a clean dog is a lot easier to shave and does less damage to your blades. However, if your dog has a lot of mats, throwing him in the tu b isn’t likely to dissolve all the dirt and crud in his fur. Taking out the mats before you bathe and shave your dog is a good compromise. Start by combing unmatted areas first, and then work on removing the mats. You will find most of them on the backs of the legs, underneath the tail, on the thighs and behind the ears. Being careful to be gentle, lift up the mat with the teeth of your comb so it’s raised a little from the skin. Then, use scissors to make small cuts underneath the mat. Curved scissors are the safest ones to use for this job, and you want to try and be careful not to pull or cut the skin. You’ll have to be patient; some mat removal jobs can take up to two hours. After you’re finished removing most of (if not all of) the mats, bathe your dog with a strong cleansing shampoo. If you plan to shave your dog, you can use a flea shampoo, but avoid dipping. Products used for dipping leave deposits behind that will corrode your clippers. Once the bath is over, completely dry your dog and begin clipping. You can simply shave off all the hair, or you can be creative. Try out some cool doggie designs! No matter how you decide to shave your dog, just make sure you aren’t working near water. Remember, you are using an electric appliance. The first time you use clippers on your dog, turn them on to get him accustomed to the noise. Hold them close to his head until he is okay with that. Then, lay the side of the clippers on the dog’s skin so he can feel the vibrations. Generally, this is enough to acquaint the dog with the clippers, and you can proceed. If you have troubles, try using the sedative. Starting behind the ears, use long, unhurried strokes, moving in the same direction as the hair. Make sure you keep the clipper blades flat against your dog’s body; if you don’t, you could irritate or even cut the skin. If you still have some mats to go through, work through them as gently as possible and as slowly as possible. Causing pain to your dog will not help him remain still! Once the body is finished, you can continue by clipping the feet and legs. Hairier breeds, such as Cockers and Maltese, will require their feet to be clipped, and you will probably need to call in some back up help for that. When you are done clipping, you can bathe or dip the dog in flea prevention product. While you are clipping your dog, remember that your clippers are electric and can get hot over time. Every so often, lay the blade flat against your forearm to check the temperature. If it feels uncomfortable to your skin, it is also hurting your dog and could even burn him. Stop and take a break, if necessary. Use the brush and oil to keep the clippers working smoothly. A few drops of oil will grease the blades just fine -- the small bottle should last a long time. Periodically during clipping, shut off the clippers and brush away excess hair. After that, re-oil the blade and continue. After you are done, brush all the hair from the clippers and oil them again before you store them. If you use your clippers on more than one dog, you may want to contact a local service center that can help you maintain your clippers. For more advanced clipping techniques for breeds such as Cocker, Schnauzer or Poodle, you can find many fine books at most pet stores. Word count: 994