Monday, February 9, 2009

The Great Shave

We have dogs. Fluffy dogs. Curly dogs. Dogs whose hair grows constantly. They need groomed every couple months to keep it in check, but at $60 a grooming (after tip) it was getting to be expensive... and all I ever wanted was a basic puppy cut!

Then, I found an Andis 2 Speed Clipper at a garage sale for $1. After a few months of getting up the courage, I clipped my first dog. I'm no grooming pro, but I'm very happy with my savings!

Here's the before:
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After a nice bath...
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... and a quick zoom around the house....
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... Molly is ready for a clip:
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I use a car washing attachment to wash them on advice from a groomer; fill it up with shampoo, put it on it's gentlest setting (shower), and spray the dog down. The dogs like it better, too.
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It takes about an hour to clip my dog down.... I use a 5FC blade to get a length of about 1/4 inch all over. It's short, but it takes a few months to grow back out!

Here's the after:
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Just TRY to say "no" to those eyes!

I've used the same blade ($30) for 6 haircuts now, so the savings are quite substantial!

Quick Rundown of Supplies:
(For anyone interested)
  • Andis 2 Speed Professional Clipper
  • 5FC Ceramic Blade
  • Oster Coolant/Lubricant/Cleaner Spray
  • Sharp Scissors
  • Mild Dog Shampoo
  • Car Washing Nozzle with Soap Container
  • Hose
  • Sink to Hose Converter
Total Cost to Me: ~$60
Total Savings: $60 on each haircut!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

My dogs zoom around the house like crazy after their baths, too! I need to close the bedroom door or else they rub themselves all over the bed :)

Robj98168 said...

I think all dogs do the zoom thing, at least all mine have. This is a most informing post and something I have to think about with my new Dog Romeo!

Jennifer said...

Jen~ Mine would LOVE the bed. Molly hates the smell of baths and needs to "perfume" herself with the smells of the hosue! Zoom, zoom, zoom.

Rob~ I think you are right... BOTH of mine do it. If you need any help figuring out what to do/buy with grooming your new pup, send me a message. I'd be glad to help from the "amateur figured out what works" sort of background!

casacaudill said...

What kind of dogs are those - they're ADORABLE!

Anonymous said...

My two Havanese, Lily and Sam also zoom zoom all over after their bath. Sam has to roll all over the carpet and towels. Sam is curly but Lily has straight double coated silky hair, hers is easier to cut. I have a clipper like that but I have been afraid to use it. I do the scissors and takes a couple of hours. Saves the groomer bills. Your sweet puppy looks so cold after the cut! Needs a sweater!!!!Such cute dogs, are they poodles?
Kathleen :)

modernemama said...

Wow. So cute. Mine don't need doing as often but they are looking pretty shaggy right now

goddessof4 said...

So cute!!! I need to buy the car wash attachment for my dogs!!! Great idea!!!!1

Jennifer said...

casacaudill~ They are poodle/golden retriever mixes... quite cute, but I would have a dog that didn't need grooming if I could!

Kathleen~ She does get a little chilly after a haircut... but she likes it better than mats. I put a sweater on her for the first couple days until she gets used to being shorn. They are poodle mixes.

Goddess of 4~ It works REALLY well... I bought mine at Lowes.

Silvia said...

OMG! That cut looks aweful! The poor dog just screems don't ever embarrass me again...Good thing his coat will grow back. I understand the money saving part tho, but I would not post the picture.

Jennifer said...

Silvia~ I'm sorry you don't like the way I cut my dogs. It's all personal preference of course. I'm sure you would hate the way I cut my OWN hair, too.

It's actually my preferred cut; I've had many groomers give them awful cuts with poofy parts and such or tried to give a traditional poodle cut, and they always look miserable when they get back. When I cut them, they actually PRANCE around and seem to say "look at ME!". They are MUCH happier, and I'm not embarrased to walk them when I cut them myself as opposed to when they come back from the groomer.