Excited to start Grooming my Doodle on my own!

[Melissa]

So I finally bought a pair of clippers:  Conair Canine FX Brushless Motor Clipper.  I'm waiting for my set of grooming shears & scissors to come in before I attempt to cut Chloe for the first time. I also will be ordering a grooming table.   I have done all the other grooming since I got her: brushing every few days, cutting nails, trimming ear, feet, facial hair, brushing her teeth. So I thought it was time to start clipping her when needed. She is a water dog, so I prefer to have her coat shorter in the summer.  

Has anyone used this specific trimmer? Thoughts? Any other tools you recommend to purchase? 

[Denise, Winnie, and AngelAbby]

I, personally haven't heard of this clipper. I use an Andis 2 speed and an Oster. I rotate between them as one gets hot. The blades are interchangable also which makes it nice. You will have to let me know how the Conair one works. I also need a grooming table. I sit on the floor or bend over her. Back breaker to be sure. Trying to decide which one and what size to get. Any info on that would be very helpful.

[Melissa]

Thanks Denise.  The table I'm looking at is on amazon.ca: Go Pet Club Pet Dog Grooming Table with Arm, 36-inch. $150 CAD (not sure what it would be in USD).  I want a 36" table as Chloe is a standard doodle and I will also be grooming other dogs as I get better. 

 

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Petedge.com has some good deals on grooming tables. Im not sure what you are looking for but just thought I would throw that in.

[Melissa]

I took a quick peek at Petedge.com the other morning! Great site and there are some things that I definitely am interested in and am happy that they ship to Canada.  Going through Amazon.ca saves me shipping and duty costs though...so some larger products I'll be getting from amazon. :)  

[Nancy & Echo]

I got my first grooming table, a

Pingkay High Quality 3 Size Pet Dog Cat Profession Dog Show Fold Gr...

It was rated quite highly. 

The thing I do NOT like about it is that the clamp that governs the arm height has a problem.  (Its the clamp that holds the square arm in a diagonal direction.)  The arm will suddenly collapse, scaring both Echo and me.  Otherwise, its quite stable and the right height.  I don't know if other grooming tables have arms with a different clamp design.   Also,  if I did it again, I'd get a smaller table. (At 15 months, Echo weighs 17 pounds.)

[Melissa]

That was a good price for  your table! Unfortunately, it isn't available on the Canadian amazon site...odd.   The clamp issue must be frustrating for sure! Any way you are able to secure it better? Can you replace the clamp?   I will need a larger table as Chloe is 60 lbs, and I plan on grooming other dogs too :)  

[DonMarie and Picco]

Great! I love doing my own grooming. I have a 2 speed Oster clippers and keep a spare blade. If it's not sharp it'll start to pull hair instead of cut. I bought a package of clipper combs with various sizes https://www.amazon.com/Oster-Universal-Attachment-Professional-Clip.... After experimenting I now use 2-3 of them.  I started practicing with keeping the hair longer till I felt confident enough to cut him shorter.  The cost of the assorted pack was the price of about 3 combs anyway. 

I bought one of those typical folding plastic tables from Walmart, Target, etc., this arm (clamps on & folds up for storage and is very sturdy/well made) https://www.amazon.com/Master-Equipment-Foldable-Grooming-Arm/dp/B0... and I use a plastic bath mat (same one I use in the tub) on the table for slippage.  I would have taken a picture of my setup but I just put everything away about 2 hours ago! 

Picco likes to sit so instead of putting the loop around his neck, I put it around his hips.  They do make grooming arms that span the whole table so you can secure both ends.

I'm sure you've watched several grooming videos but just remember that all coats are different and so you have to see what works for you.  And have fun!

[Melissa]

Thank you for the advise!  Yes, I've watched MANY videos! LOL  Chloe has thick curly fur so I know I have to brush her out really well before I try to clip her.  I am going to do the same as you, start with a longer comb attachment until I get used to it.  I think I'll be fine with her body, it's more her face and head that I'm afraid to screw up!! Ha Ha.  That is why I'm waiting for my scissors to come in before I do anything with her.   Good idea with the plastic folding table!  But the arm that you linked me to is actually more expensive than the grooming table with arm that I'm purchasing from amazon.  I think Chloe will want to sit down as well, so I will need to loop the holder around her underside as well.  

I will post pictures when I finally do my first cut...hopefully in the next couple of weeks.