Dog Stylist Training Guide For Grooming - Weebly

Dog StylistTraining Guide forGroomingTraining andDevelopmentDr. WileyMatt BrownNick GrisakNadia HardemanAutumn MabieLuke Vargo

First things first, you will need to knowyour tools of the trade! In order tobecome a successful dog groomer, youwill need to know what the tools areand what they are used for.

BrushesThis is called a “Slicker Brush”. This brush isused for dogs with double coats or dogs thathave difficult knots. A slicker brush ischaracterized by having tiny pins. set in asloping head for easy downward brushing.This is called a “Pin Brush”. A pin brush is usedto brush long haired, single coat dogs. A slickerbrush is characterized by having pins that aretipped with plastic and set in a rubber backing.This last brush is called a “Bristle Brush”. Abristle brush is used for short haired, single coatdogs.

Hair Cutting ToolsThis instrument is called “Hair Clippers”. Hairclippers are used for cutting the bulk of thedog’s hair and are also used for intricate areaswhere scissors might be too risky.These are called “Clipper Blades”. The bladesare used to determine how much hair will becut when using the clippers. Clipper bladesrange in size from very short, often a size 1, tovery long hair, often a size 8. Not all blade sizesare equivalent across brands.This instrument is called “Dog Shears”. Shearsare used for cutting and sculpting the hairaround the face, legs, tail, etc.

Miscellaneous ToolsThis aerosol can is called “Andis Cool Care Plus”.Andis Cool Care Plus is a coolant, disinfectant,lubricant, cleaner, and rust preventative. It isused primarily on clippers.This is called “Kwik Stop”. Kwik stop is used toclot any minor nicks or cuts caused fromscissors or accidental cutting too much of thenail. Kwik Stop also has benzocaine whichreduces pain.

Now that you know your tools, let’sbegin the process of grooming the dog!

Once the dog is secured to the grooming table you willwant to brush the dog. It is critical to brush the dog firstbecause you will want to get all the hair aligned to create auniform cut. Brushing the dog also breaks up knots that mightcreate problems for cutting. Using your knowledge of the dog,determine which brush you will wantto use to brush the hair. Next, place either hand on the dog tostabilize and soothe it. With your other hand, using gentlestroking action, brush with the grainof the hair down the length of thedog’s back. In other words, brush inthe direction the hair lays , fromfollicle to tip. Repeat the same process all over thedog, making sure to always brushwith the grain of the hair. Be carefulto pay attention to the grain of thehair as it might change depending onbody part.

While brushing, you may come across hair knots. Donot worry, knots can often be brushed out using gentlebrushing. Typical problem areas for knots include; behind thelegs, around the paws, and around the ears. Using your brush, if room allows,hold the hair that is knotted abovethe knot with one hand. Using your other hand, use a brushand slowly and gently brush the knotout. In many cases, the knot may be toobig or tough to brush out, or the dogis uncomfortable with you brushingthe knot out. If this is the case ask forassistance to stabilize the pet whileyou use the shears to cut the knotout.

Once brushing is complete, use the informationprovided by the dog’s owner to determine what size clipperblade will be used to cut the dogs hair. If the dog’s owner doesnot specify how to cut the hair, use your knowledge of specificbreed cuts. Walk to Groomer’s cabinet and grabclippers and appropriate clipperblade. Spray “Andis Cool Care Plus” liberallyto disinfect and clean both theclippers and the blade. Be sure toadequately clean the clippers. Next, secure blade to the clippers. Todo this, hook the top of the bladeover the tip of the clippers and pressdown on the push tab until you heara “click”. Plug clippers into the electricalsocket.

The next step is to clip the bulk of the dog’s hair usingthe appropriate blade and clippers. Turn clippers on. If the torso of the dog requirescutting, place one hand on the top ofthe dog’s body. With your other hand, begin movingthe clippers down the body startingat the top of the neck, ensuring youare moving with the grain. Once you reach the end of the dog’sbody return clippers to top of theneck region and repeat cutting theuncut hair until the torso is evenlyshaved.

Once the bulk of the hair is clipped, we will need to cutthe underside of the neck as it is of different length than therest of the body. Remove blade from clippers andattach new blade to be used on theunderside of the neck. Using one hand, lift the chin of thedog upward to a comfortable level. Ifdog moves around excessively, askfor assistance from a coworker torestrain dog. Using your other hand, shave theunderside of the neck, ensuring to gowith the grain of the hair.

Cutting around the armpit and behind the leg area isuseful to prevent knot formation in the future. Remove blade from clippers andattach a very small blade to be usedon armpit area of dog. Grab dog’s leg and lift upward to acomfortable level in order to exposearmpit area. Use clippers to cut hair behind and inarmpit area to prevent knotformation from leg movement. Repeat process for additional legs.

Cutting the excess fur that forms between the padsprevents extra dirt from being brought inside the house,prevents the dog from slipping on slippery surfaces, andprevents uncomfortable knots from forming between thepads. Remove blade from clippers. With one hand, lift dog’s paw andexpose underside of paw. Simultaneously using your otherhand, carefully shave excess hair thatextends out from between the pads.Do not stick edge of clippers betweenthe pads. Repeat for all paws.

Sculpting around the face of the dog creates a cleanlook, but be careful it isn't as easy as it seems. Extremecaution should be used around the face region! Lift ear with one hand. Use clippers without blade to trimexcess ear hair around edge of ear. Repeat for other ear. Place one hand on top of dog’s headand stabilize the head facing you. Carefully use clippers to cut excesshair around eyes being careful toavoid the eyeball. Trim the edge of dog’s chin by usingthe scissors to cut from the front ofthe head to the back.

Using the shears, trim around the paws, back side oflegs, and tail. Be careful, the tip of the shears is incrediblysharp. Retrieve hair cutting shears. If excess hair exists around dog’spaws, hold leg and put slight weightdownward to ensure no movementof paw. Cut the excess hair on top of the pawto sculpt a rounded look. If excess hair exists around thebackside of the leg remain holdingthe leg. Trim the excess leg hair with theshears. If hair on the tail is excessive, use onehand to hold and secure tail outward. Use other hand to trim excess tailhair with shears, being sure to sculptan appropriate style for dog.

Not all blade sizes . Once the dog is secured to the grooming table you will want to brush the dog. It is critical to brush the dog first because you will want to get all the hair aligned to create a uniform cut. Brushing