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

Well, whatever or whyever -- I'm glad it worked!My Shih Tzu's breeder is also a professional groomer. So from Day 1 he was used to the sound of clippers. The only issue that created is that apparently the sound is like a soothing lullaby to him, and he wants to flop down and go to sleep. But in the scheme of things that's not a big issue. I just roll him over on his side and clip it and then roll him over and do the other side. He may not look exactly perfect, but he's sure not stressed. :B

Sam could stand to see the shearer but since we no longer have wool sheep I guess I'll have to find another way to remove his winter coat and mats.

BCSnob wrote:Sam could stand to see the shearer but since we no longer have wool sheep I guess I'll have to find another way to remove his winter coat and mats.Oh my - now THERE's a coat worthy of hedge clippers ;-) My son/DIL's Maremmas probably look the same...

There is something to be said for dogs from reputable breeders, who properly socialize them. Whenever we had puppies, I started exposing them to the sounds of a clipper and hair dryers from the time they were about 3 or 4 weeks old. Also nail trimming, the feel of a leash, etc. Things that make life a lot easier for all concerned.A lot of people selling puppies would tell the new owners that they don't need groomed until they are 8 or 9 months old. I agreed to groom a dog for a friend one time, who got her dog from such a person. What a nightmare. The dog freaked out in the tub, was clawing and climbing me like a tree as I tried to dry and brush her out. By the time we got to clipping, I got the worst off her face, and had to call it quits. I was exhausted, clawed half to the death, and the dog was in a full frenzy. Never again!!!I do know that older dogs who aren't crazy about a clippers, sometimes do better with Andis, as they seem to run quieter than the Osters.

raindove wrote:There is something to be said for dogs from reputable breeders, who properly socialize them. Whenever we had puppies, I started exposing them to the sounds of a clipper and hair dryers from the time they were about 3 or 4 weeks old. Also nail trimming, the feel of a leash, etc. Things that make life a lot easier for all concerned.That's why I like the breeder that both Jimmy and Ben came from - she socializes the puppies nicely, and handles their feet. Both are easy to do nail trims on. Jimmy was cool with the clippers from Day 1, but he's sort of famous for his "I'm not skeered of that!" attitude towards most things with motors.Ben is somewhat Jimmy's opposite - most things with motors need to be avoided. I encourage him to be bold, by putting treats on top of the vacuum (not running), etc But until he got out of that secondary "fear stage" - I didn't push things. I'm glad to see that he's ready to handle challenges now :-)

An "AHA!" moment re: clipping fur | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
May 24, 2014
Code2High wrote:
I must check this out with Pen. He is petrified by even mini clippers and the nail sander about gives him a cardio. I have been able to get past his issues with brushing but not clippers. And he is the only dog I have that has enough fur to need clipping. I do his face with scissors and let the rest stay long but would like to have more options.

Oooh - a perfect candidate!! The other upside to clipping outdoors on a windy day is not having to clean up dog hair....LOL!!
Code2High
Explorer
May 23, 2014
I must check this out with Pen. He is petrified by even mini clippers and the nail sander about gives him a cardio. I have been able to get past his issues with brushing but not clippers. And he is the only dog I have that has enough fur to need clipping. I do his face with scissors and let the rest stay long but would like to have more options.
BCSnob
Explorer
May 23, 2014
I'll be sure to get some when they are puking during their first big car trip (9hrs one way). Perhaps you'd prefer video with them screeming?
CA_POPPY
Explorer
May 23, 2014
BCSnob wrote:
Even with extensive exposure to the world; some pups still have issues due to genetics.

It's been interesting watching our two pups since they are our 3rd generation and we can easily see traits in them we see in mom, dad, aunts, uncles, grandmom, other offspring of granddad, etc.

Need more baby pictures! :B
BCSnob
Explorer
May 23, 2014
Even with extensive exposure to the world; some pups still have issues due to genetics.

It's been interesting watching our two pups since they are our 3rd generation and we can easily see traits in them we see in mom, dad, aunts, uncles, grandmom, other offspring of granddad, etc.
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
May 23, 2014
raindove wrote:

I do know that older dogs who aren't crazy about a clippers, sometimes do better with Andis, as they seem to run quieter than the Osters.

I changed my original post, because after you said this, I remember that my clippers are indeed Osters. The big 2-speed Turbo "horseclipper"
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
May 23, 2014
raindove wrote:
There is something to be said for dogs from reputable breeders, who properly socialize them. Whenever we had puppies, I started exposing them to the sounds of a clipper and hair dryers from the time they were about 3 or 4 weeks old. Also nail trimming, the feel of a leash, etc. Things that make life a lot easier for all concerned.

That's why I like the breeder that both Jimmy and Ben came from - she socializes the puppies nicely, and handles their feet. Both are easy to do nail trims on. Jimmy was cool with the clippers from Day 1, but he's sort of famous for his "I'm not skeered of that!" attitude towards most things with motors.

Ben is somewhat Jimmy's opposite - most things with motors need to be avoided. I encourage him to be bold, by putting treats on top of the vacuum (not running), etc But until he got out of that secondary "fear stage" - I didn't push things. I'm glad to see that he's ready to handle challenges now :-)
raindove
Explorer
May 23, 2014
There is something to be said for dogs from reputable breeders, who properly socialize them. Whenever we had puppies, I started exposing them to the sounds of a clipper and hair dryers from the time they were about 3 or 4 weeks old. Also nail trimming, the feel of a leash, etc. Things that make life a lot easier for all concerned.

A lot of people selling puppies would tell the new owners that they don't need groomed until they are 8 or 9 months old. I agreed to groom a dog for a friend one time, who got her dog from such a person. What a nightmare. The dog freaked out in the tub, was clawing and climbing me like a tree as I tried to dry and brush her out. By the time we got to clipping, I got the worst off her face, and had to call it quits. I was exhausted, clawed half to the death, and the dog was in a full frenzy. Never again!!!

I do know that older dogs who aren't crazy about a clippers, sometimes do better with Andis, as they seem to run quieter than the Osters.
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
May 23, 2014
BCSnob wrote:
Sam could stand to see the shearer but since we no longer have wool sheep I guess I'll have to find another way to remove his winter coat and mats.

Oh my - now THERE's a coat worthy of hedge clippers ;-) My son/DIL's Maremmas probably look the same...
BCSnob
Explorer
May 22, 2014
Sam could stand to see the shearer but since we no longer have wool sheep I guess I'll have to find another way to remove his winter coat and mats.

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An "AHA!" moment re: clipping fur

11 Replies

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