My 2nd attempt at clipper cutting - Oscar

A couple weeks ago I posted pictures of Lucy after my 1st attempt at clipper cutting. All the wonderful responses I received gave me confidence in my abilities, so this week I clipper cut Oscar, as well as all that goes along with a full groom. His hair, although curly, doesn't stand out straight from the body after blow drying like Lucy's does, so it was a lot more challenging. I had to do quite a bit of touch up work the following day, after seeing all the spots I'd missed or cut incorrectly. Its a work in progress for sure, but I'm pleased with the way Oscar ultimately turned out. I never posted picks of him turning 1 on his birthday last Friday, Sept. 13th, so this is dual purpose photo!

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Permalink Reply by Debb, Lucy & Oscar on September 19, 2013 at 2:16pm

Thanks Nicky! I just wrote a very detailed explanation and hit a key and my whole system shut down, causing me to lose everything! I think a new computer is in my near future! The legs! First of all, on Oscar I like his back cut shorter than his legs. I used a Wahl #2 (3/8", blue) attachment comb on his back and a Wahl #0 (5/8", yellow) comb on his legs. I like the transition to the longer lengths to start at the top of the shoulder and top of the hip. I think that makes a natural looking transition point (I've had some groomers in the past start the transition right at the top of the leg, rather that the top of the hip, and it looks ridiculous!). So, when clipper cutting the back, I kept those transition areas in mind, and avoided cutting through the shoulder and hip areas. There's a technique where you slightly lift the clipper as you approach the hip, giving a smooth transition from back to leg. Cuts down on blending later. Once the back is done, then the legs are pretty straight forward. I started at the top of the shoulder and hip and ran down the leg to the toes, careful to cut all around the leg. You many need to brush the leg hair out between strokes to lift it for a smoother cut. Also, I held my thumb over the dew claw pad to avoid cutting it or getting caught on it. So, that's basically it for the legs. Lots of passes, lots of brushing between to lift the hair. I'd be happy to answer any other questions you may have!

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Permalink Reply by Debb, Lucy & Oscar on September 19, 2013 at 1:25pm

Again, thank you ALL for the encouraging words!! Its a real shot in the arm of confidence! Which I'm in need of, btw! I second guess everything I do when it comes to the clippering part of the groom. I have comb and blade numbers written down for each body part of both doodles, but I have 2 different kinds of attachment combs (Laube and Wahl) and even though they're numbered the same, they are different millimeter lengths. It gets confusing sometimes because I really do mean to use a different blade with the different comb sets (Wahl uses a 30 blade, and Laube a 50 blade). During the groom I was easily getting the wrong blade paired with the comb I was using. I really do need a roll-about storage organizer for all the gear to keep it all straight. Once more, thank you so much!

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Permalink Reply by Laurie, Fudge, and Vern on September 19, 2013 at 1:49pm

Nice job. You can practice on Fudge and Vern if you want :) Oscar looks great!! Happy Birthday to Oscar!

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Permalink Reply by Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau on September 19, 2013 at 2:17pm

Wow Debb! I wish I could do this. I am a big chicken. Oscar looks so cute - Happy Birthday to the birthday boy. Yesterday was my son's birthday too!

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Permalink Reply by Donna K & Quincy on September 19, 2013 at 3:17pm

Debb, You do an amazing job of grooming your doodles. I've seen lots of 'professional' grooming jobs that don't look anywhere as nice as this. One question, do you run the clippers in both directions( with the growth and against the growth direction)?

Happy Birthday Oscar, you are gorgeous and I can almost feel that velvety coat.

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Permalink Reply by Debb, Lucy & Oscar on September 19, 2013 at 4:48pm

Hi Donna, thanks! I always run the clipper in the direction of the hair's growth. I think you could get away with going 'against the grain' with a wooly coat though. A woolly (wooly or woolly?) coat stands straight up after blow drying and it might not make much difference. I've read on professional poodle grooming forums that some prefer to go against the grain for a smoother cut. Maybe some day I'll be brave enough to try it on Lucy (who has a very wooly, stiff-textured coat).