An "AHA!" moment re: clipping fur
Jimmy has always been awesome about being clipped - Ben, not so much. Actually, downright terror is a closer description. Up until now, I indulged Ben's fear by using scissors to shorten his poodle-y coat, which is a blister-producing PITA.
Today is a nice breezy day, so I brought my clippers outdoors and shaved Jimmy down to a nice summer-and-swimming fur length. Ben stood by and supervised - and then I wondered.... Ben hates to have anyone blow on him. My Andis clippers exhaust near the clipping head. I wondered if THAT was Ben's problem - so called him over, grabbed his collar, and took a few swipes with the clippers. He tried to dodge away - so I let him settle, then took a few more swipes. He wiggled - but "endured". I let him go after about a minute - figuring we'd end on a good note. He looked like he had been attacked by Killer Moths...LOL!
Later, we went back out - and he stood quietly while I clipped him some more and evened out the gouges.
I think the wind nullifies the blower on the clippers (plus they aren't as noisy outdoors as indoors). Granted - I DO NOT do the sort of clipping job that is to be admired - all I want is my dogs to be cool, comfortable, and to dry off quicker after a daily swim.
Don't know if this would help anyone else with a clipper-shy dog?
On edit - my clippers are actually Oster A-5s
Today is a nice breezy day, so I brought my clippers outdoors and shaved Jimmy down to a nice summer-and-swimming fur length. Ben stood by and supervised - and then I wondered.... Ben hates to have anyone blow on him. My Andis clippers exhaust near the clipping head. I wondered if THAT was Ben's problem - so called him over, grabbed his collar, and took a few swipes with the clippers. He tried to dodge away - so I let him settle, then took a few more swipes. He wiggled - but "endured". I let him go after about a minute - figuring we'd end on a good note. He looked like he had been attacked by Killer Moths...LOL!
Later, we went back out - and he stood quietly while I clipped him some more and evened out the gouges.
I think the wind nullifies the blower on the clippers (plus they aren't as noisy outdoors as indoors). Granted - I DO NOT do the sort of clipping job that is to be admired - all I want is my dogs to be cool, comfortable, and to dry off quicker after a daily swim.
Don't know if this would help anyone else with a clipper-shy dog?
On edit - my clippers are actually Oster A-5s
