I gave Murphy his first clipper cut

[David and Murphy]

I trried to follow the known procedures for grooming a Doodle.  So I first line brushed using a slicker brush, a demating comb and a coarse steel comb to make sure all mats were out down to the skin.  I really used a combination of all of these and each seemed to help the process. It did take me a long time, I would say 2 hours in all as I kept switching to another area or leg as I could tell Murphy was telling me he had had enough if I stayed in one spot too long.  After that it was outside on my deck to give him a bath using the Top Performance® Oatmeal Shampoo from Petedge.I only had cold water and I plan to change that the next time but all in all it worked fine lathered up good and rinsed well. After that I immediatly started using the steel comb and some free Top Performance® GloCoat Conditioner and Detangler I received to try and get any new mats out.  I let him dry inside and continued to brush and comb him out getting him ready to be clipped.

 

So to clip him I decided to do it in our basement so I caried a portable table there and set myself up with some AC power and a neck rope attached above to keep him in place. I decided to try my 30 blade with the new 3/4 inch comb I just purchased. I started by going with the grain but quickly decided I wanted a shorter cut so I started going against the grain for a true 3/4 inch cut.  I think it worked out great and was trying to match the cut his brother Oakley had who I saw recently in Charleston SC. Also my clipper is an Andis AGC2 speed which I used on the fast speed with a Wahl 3/4 steel comb or guide.

I basically did his back, sides, anything long hanging underneath, his legs, and his neck and underneath his ears all using this setup.

Used thinning shears a bit for the top of his head, and trimmed him a bit between the eyes.

By this time he had enough and was so good I stopped.

I still have to do his feet and for that I will use shears.

And decide what to use for his belly, I don't have any short combs only a 30 and a 4FC.

And I may try to to go shorter in the the sanitary areas.  I have a 30, and a 4FC, what do you all use?

[Sally, Ditzy Mitzi & Sgt. Pepper]

He looks  terrific!   Congrats on a great first groom!  

[David and Murphy]

[F, Calla & Luca]

You did a really great job!

[David and Murphy]

[David and Murphy]

[Hazel & Chester Wayte]

Wow great job- 2 hours isn't bad at all!!

[David and Murphy]

well 2 hours was just the pre bath brushing, I think the whole process was more like 4 hours!  Hopefully I can shorten that the next time

[Lynda Kamrath]

Congratulations!  You did a great job and it does get easier with experience.  It it also such a good bonding activity for you and your dog.  We divide a total grooming into a couple of days and my husband and I kind of take turns.  That makes it easier for all of us.  My husband does all the work with the clippers (facial area, feet, and inside of the ears) and I do the first scissors cut.  Then we bathe and blow dry the dog and my husband then does the final cut.  It is easier to spread it out over a couple of days.

[Carolyn Shusterman]

Great first grooming cut for Murphy.  Next time you might consider a 'doodle cut' for his legs.  Don't follow the contour of his legs with the clippers, use your scissors for a straight post look.  I love his bushy eyebrows too.  Murphy has such pretty coloring.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Hi David, You did a great job grooming for the first time! I am impressed.

I am hoping that someone with more knowledge than I will chime in here, but I believe that you should never shave the sanitary area with a 30 blade... 10 might be the shortest. The 4F will probably not get as close as you wish. The worry is razor burn which is very uncomfortable for the dog and can end up infected. I have only been grooming my dogs for a little over a year. I use a 10 blade, others put a comb between the skin and the blade to protect the skin. 

I hope you get more answers to your question. The job gets easier with practice. 

[David and Murphy]

So do most groomers use what blade for the sanitary cut or what comb/guide?

[Bonnie and Kona]

Have you tried to search "sanitary cut" in the grooming group? I think a 10 blade is commonly used.