Tips for Using Clippers Effectively on Your Dog
Poodles are willful dogs that might be troublesome to groom. Follow these steps for best results:
- Allow your dog to familiarize himself with the clippers – before setting a grooming date, bring out the clippers, and let your dog familiarize with them. Poodles are curious pets who love to sniff and discover new things. Have treats nearby; each time he gets close to the clippers, you should reward him. Turn them on and let him get used to the sound. Repeat this process on two or three separate occasions.
- Set a routine for grooming – decide how often you want to groom your dog. Poodles should not go more than 6 weeks without a trim.
- Setup the grooming area – depending on the temperament of your dog, you will have to choose whether to groom him indoors or outdoors. Clipping fur indoors in a tub is one option, although outdoors works better because cleaning is less stressful. An overactive dog might refuse to sit still outdoors, so you must be wary of that.
- Comb the fur – Poodles have very curly fur that can easily get matted or have knots. Before using clippers, comb out the fur gently to remove all knots. Hold the fur away from the skin and be as gentle as you can. Work methodically on small portions at a time.
- For extremely matted fur, wet the dog first – wet fur is easier to comb and will be easier to trim, especially for Poodles with long, thick matted curls. To reduce pain and discomfort, you can bath the dog before combing and trimming. Use dog dryer after the bath to shorten the procedure.
- Use clippers firmly and methodically – Work from one side to the other, holding the clippers firmly so that you do not nick your dog. With sharp blades, you should be able to get the perfect trim without going over the same area too many times. Overdoing it can cause frictions and burns on the skin.
- Take a break to prevent overheating – when the clippers get too hot, turn them off and take a break. Doing so gives them time to cool down. The mechanism of clippers makes heating up inevitable, although some clippers heat up less than others.
- Oil the blades if necessary – oiling prevents friction and reduces overheating. If you notice the clippers are becoming slower or hotter, use the oil in the kit to improve performance.
Recommended Clipper Blade Size for Poodles
Because Poodles can have fur that is quite thick and curly, you need more than one blade for the perfect trim. Whenever Poodles shed fur, it stays on their coat and mats. So, you must always start grooming using a pair of scissors to reduce the fur to the desired length. Then, you will need a 10 blade and either a 5 or 7F blade. The 10 blades will be for the head while the 5 or 7F will trim the body.
Poodles are fashionable dogs. Their fur can be trimmed in various patterns. The most common is the large top knot. To achieve stylish looks, use the 5 or 7F blade. The 10 blades will give a neat, clean-cut look, but the other two are much better at styling top knots on Poodles.
Which Clippers Should be Used on Poodles?
The specific brand of clippers you settle on is a matter of personal choice. The brands in this review, like Oster, Andy, and Celebourg, are all recommended based on your specific needs. However, the preferred clippers for Poodles are those that have these qualities:
- High torque – torque refers to the power of a machine. Clippers with strong motors have the highest torque. While using clippers with high torque, you will not need to redo one area many times, and this makes the grooming process easier for you and more comfortable for Poodles.
- High SPM – the more strokes you can land per minute, the faster you can trim your dog’s hair.
- Sharp blades – using dull blades makes for a painful grooming experience. Poodles will resist future grooming attempts after experiencing one with a dull blade.
- Heat resistance – although all clippers are prone to heating, some heat up slower than others. Those that are made with ceramic blades are the best because they do not get too hot.
- Ergonomic design – the shape of the clipper should ensure your comfort and prevent you from tiring while working. Grooming Poodles can take a fair amount of time, so you should not experience fatigue at any point.
- Affordable – you should find a balance between price and quality, based on your budget.
Categories of Clippers
Clippers for Poodles are classified based on their motor power and the power source they use.
Strength of the Motor
The SPM is the number of strokes that clippers can cover in a minute. It is proof of how powerful the clippers are. The torque refers to the strength of the motor. Clippers with high SPM and Torque cut faster and more accurately. However, they have high vibrations and might be louder than those with lower SPM and Torque. They are also more likely to overheat faster.
Power Source
Corded clippers are powered by electricity. They have a cable that must be connected to an electric power source while grooming. They work best for professional groomers who have a grooming station with a power outlet, and dog owners who groom their Poodles indoors. They are more powerful than the other types of clippers
Cordless clippers use lithium-ion batteries. The batteries must be recharged or replaced when they run low. Although cordless clippers are not as powerful as corded ones, they are more portable and less likely to overheat. They are perfect for dog owners who prefer grooming outdoors.
Reasons Why Clipper Blades Overheat
Although hot blades are expected when grooming Poodles with clippers, a few factors can cause blades to overheat to dangerous levels.
High Number of Strokes per Minute
For a machine to achieve high strokes each minute, the motor will work faster. This can cause overheating. There is no solution to this, so you should take a break whenever the blades get too hot.
Blunt Blades
When grooming Poodles with a machine that has dull blades, you will have to go over one area multiple times for the perfect cut. Repetition causes friction, which makes the blades too hot. The solution to this is to replace blades frequently and keep them sharp.
Thick, Dirty Coat
Poodles have thick fur that will require multiple trims. In the process, the blades might overheat. To prevent this, bathe the dog frequently. Start your grooming with a pair of scissors to reduce the thickness of the fur.
Lubrication
Oiling the blades while working is necessary to prevent friction and, eventually, overheating. Most kits come with a lubricant that is safe to use on Poodles and other pets’ fur.
Additional Blades and Combs for Grooming Poodles
Poodles fur is unique, and it requires a variety of blades. Although you must have a 10 blade, you can choose to also have a 5 or 7F based on your preferred trim style for Poodles. You must also have a wide-toothed comb for gently getting the knots out of her fur.
Final Take on Clippers
Poodles have curly fur that can get matted and difficult to groom if left unattended to for long. Once their fur gets matted, using clippers becomes a stressful experience for both you and your dog. For best results, Poodles must be groomed at least once every six weeks. The first step in using clippers effectively is to buy the right clipper. Each of the brands in this review is worth buying. Follow the steps provided to train Poodles and have a pleasant grooming session.