Clippers seem to get bogged down

[Robin Richardson]

Hi everyone! I’m a new member and really glad to be a part of this group! I have started grooming my 2 golden doodle babies, Tessa Bear and Presley. Tessa Bear has a wooly coat that my clippers cut through like butter. Presley has a thick cottony coat, not curly just a little bit of a kink in it. Tonight was the second time to clip her and I had to give up because the clippers seemed to get bogged down with the fur and not cut. I would stop and take the guard off to clean it out but it just kept happening. I finally quit because I felt so bad for her. I have an Andis 3 speed with Wahl metal guards. Help!

[Bonnie and Kona]

I am so glad you posted this question. I have the same trouble with one of my Goldendoodles. One has a curly but not so thick coat. The other has the cottony coat you describe. I haven't thought of that description but it fits. When I am grooming him I keep saying it is like bunny fur. It gets everywhere. It doesn't just fall down like our other doodle's. The blade gets stuck sometimes too. I live in Hawaii so I keep the dogs's coats quite short. I don't use a guard and it can still happen. I can't imagine trying to do it with a guard on. I hope a great groomer answers this question! I keep wondering where vets get their clippers because they are so much better than the Andis I have that everyone else raves about! 

[Melissa]

What number of blade do you use under the combs?  Always clip a freshly washed coat, dirt will dull your blades. Sometimes the guard combs get 'stuck' in certain hair types so you have to make sure you brush out the dog very well and make sure the coat is completely dry when clipping.  Also while grooming, stop and use clipper cleaner frequently to clean out all the hair stuck in the blades and apply blade oil. Make sure your blade you are using is sharp. 

[Robin Richardson]

I use a #10 ceramic blade. Always a clean, dry, and brushed out coat. I can only cut about 6 or 8 niches before I have to take the guard off and clean the hair out. The blade has only been used 4 times. How long do they last?

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I agree with Melissa. Everything she mentioned will help. It may also have something to do with the brand of blade you are using. I found Andis blades didn't work as well for me as Wahl (Competition Series 30 blade). I so wanted Andis blades to work, as I love their clippers, but I went through their blades like crazy. They seemed to dull easily even using them on freshly bathed and brushed out coats, lubricating them often and frequently cleaning them. Wahl Competition Series blades last me at least a year and don't give me problems until they are really dull (at the end of that 1 yr period). I swear by them. A dull blade will definitely get bogged down.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thanks so much for the tip, Deb! Do the Wall blades fit on the Andis clipper? If not, which clipper did you buy?

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Yes, the Wahl blades fit on Andis clippers. The only exception would be trimmer blades which are smaller and not so easily replaceable. One other thing I forgot to mention earlier is the Andis combs you're using over your blade. My experience is with Wahl stainless steel clip-on combs which work perfectly with the Wahl Competition series 30 blade. What is the model of your Andis 3 speed? I have an Andis 2-speed (AGC Super 2-Speed), WHICH I LOVE! Its quiet and a real workhorse of a clipper.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Oh wait, you're Bonnie not Robin. Oops! I thought I was responding to Robin. Sorry, Bonnie!

[Robin Richardson]

my clippers are the Andis SMC model. I’m using wahl stainless guards.