Grooming Mucky Dogs

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Hey there, I bought my first set of clippers (andis) and was planning on clipping the dogs this afternoon with a 5 blade. I took them for a walk this morning and they found a huge mucky pond and got themselves all muddy.

I know they should be dry before I clip them but am wondering if I can I let the much dry and brush the dirt out as best I can and then clip, or should I wash them first and let them dry which means I'll be clipping them another day.

Hoping to get a quick answer but looking forward to responses either way.

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

Always wash and dry before using the clippers. Dirt can get into the clippers and ruin the blades over time. Plus, having the coat nice and clean (and fluffy) will give you a much better result with the grooming.

You can do what's called a "rough cut" with scissors before you bathe the dogs. Basically what that is is taking off a bulk of the coat with a scissors before you bathe and groom them. It saves a little time overall because you won't have as much fur to wash, dry and clip. But, it does leave the dog looking kinda goofy if you won't be able to clip them right away. :-)

[Gail and Bailey]

I agree with Lori...but I must say that I usually clipper Bailey down first and then wash her and do all the finish work after she is dry. However....she never gets into anything messy or icky. Just some dry grass that I brush out first. I like to wash out all the tiny hairs that remain after I clipper her.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I always clip the dogs after they have been shampooed and dried so that the dirt in their coat does not dull the clippers. At least that is what I understand can happen. Could be an old wives tale, but I can attest to scissors becoming dull when used improperly (like sewing scissors used to cut paper or hair cutting shears used to cut anything else).

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

I always wash my dogs and have them very well brushed out before clipping. Otherwise the clippers will not be able to go through the hair well, plus it would pull your doods hair when it gets stuck. I vote for waiting and bathing first.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I agree with the others.  This last time  decided to take Beau's hair down a bit prior to bathing did not give me the result I had the prior time when I bathed first.  I think the info that comes with most clippers recommend brushing, bathing & then clipping!  I usually brush and bath the same day, then clip the following day. Good luck with your two. 

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Thanks everyone! Bathing is done. still working on the brushing. I can't wait to try out the new clippers. It will have to be one evening during the week. I'll try to post pics!

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Good luck! I was surprised at how easy it was. The doodle coat is very forgiving, and I've been happy with the results every time. Looking forward to pictures :-)

[Bonnie and Kona]

I look forward to seeing your two all spiffed up by you. (Honestly, the first time I clipped Kona, I was following him around for a week with a scissors trying to "fix" my mistakes. Now I clip them both and let the fur fly where it may.) Sending hugs to all of you. I haven't been on DK much lately. How is Winston feeling?

[Wanda Klomp]

Also the clippers go blunt by using it on dirty hair ;-)

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

It was definitely my instinct to bath and brush first but it's interesting to note that the lady who sold me the clippers in a groomer supply store said that I don't have to have them well brushed to do it. She said even if they have some mats it will be fine. You see them do it in those dog rescue videos - they are filthy and matted, obviously so much worse than my guys will ever be, and they just run the clipper through it all. I guess that's cuz there's not really much choice. 

[Bonnie and Kona]

Your saleslady must have been talking about shaving them down to the skin. If you are doing that, then it doesn't matter if they are matted. If you are leaving even 3/4 of an inch, the blade will get stuck if there is a mat. Our friend borrowed my clipper to give his very matted pup a hair cut. The only way he could do it was with a 10 blade down to the skin where the mats were. He ended up just doing the whole dog that way, and then committed to being better about brushing.