The Wash Table

All lessons

Page 4 of 12. Lessons 61 to 80 of 240 lessons, in teaching order.

• Clippers: An Introduction · Lesson 1

  What do clippers do, and what do they not do?

  Clippers shorten coat evenly for home maintenance, but they do not replace hands-on teaching or professional breed cuts.

• Clippers: An Introduction · Lesson 2

  How do clipper blades and guards work together?

  Blades set the base cutting length and guards add length, so the pair you choose decides the finish.

• Clippers: An Introduction · Lesson 3

  How do you choose a first clipper for home use?

  Choose a quiet, cool running clipper that suits your dog coat type and your hand, and learn its limits before buying extras.

• Clippers: An Introduction · Lesson 4

  How do you prepare clippers and coat before clipping?

  Clean, dry, brushed out coat and a clean, cool, oiled blade are the foundation of a safe, even clip.

• Clippers: An Introduction · Lesson 5

  How do you hold clippers and move them with the coat?

  A relaxed grip, flat blade and slow steady passes with the lie of the coat give the most even home finish.

• Clippers: An Introduction · Lesson 6

  How do you clip a back and sides in an introductory pattern?

  An introductory back and sides pattern uses slow, overlapping passes in one length, leaving shaping to hands-on teaching.

• Clippers: An Introduction · Lesson 7

  How do you clip legs and chest safely at home?

  Legs and chest need short passes, a flat blade and extra care, because skin folds and movement make nicks more likely.

• Clippers: An Introduction · Lesson 8

  What causes clipper lines, and how do you reduce them?

  Clipper lines come from uneven passes, tilt, clogging and coat direction, and slow overlapping passes reduce them most.

• Clippers: An Introduction · Lesson 9

  How do you clip around thin skin safely?

  Thin skin needs a flat blade, smooth skin, short passes and a readiness to leave the area alone if folds form.

• Clippers: An Introduction · Lesson 10

  How do you check blade heat during clipping?

  Check blade heat often with the back of your hand, and cool or swap the blade before it can discomfort the dog.

• Clippers: An Introduction · Lesson 11

  When is clipping the wrong choice for a coat?

  Clipping is wrong for some coats, for matted or sore coat, and whenever the finish would harm texture or comfort.

• Clippers: An Introduction · Lesson 12

  When does clipping need hands-on teaching before you try it?

  Clipping needs hands-on teaching before breed cuts, thin skin work, matted coats and any work on a fearful dog.

• Scissors: An Introduction · Lesson 1

  What are grooming scissors for, and what are they not for?

  Grooming scissors shape and tidy small areas by small amounts, but they do not replace clippers or hands-on teaching.

• Scissors: An Introduction · Lesson 2

  How do straight, thinning and curved scissors differ?

  Straight scissors cut a clean line, thinning scissors remove bulk softly, and curved scissors follow natural curves.

• Scissors: An Introduction · Lesson 3

  How do you hold grooming scissors safely?

  A correct scissor hold keeps the blades controlled, the fingers clear and the cutting point always in view.

• Scissors: An Introduction · Lesson 4

  How do you trim a fringe or feathering by small amounts?

  Trim fringe and feathering a few hairs at a time, combing between cuts, so the result stays natural and even.

• Scissors: An Introduction · Lesson 5

  How do you blend a scissor finish without hard lines?

  Blending softens the join between lengths by combing, small cuts and thinning work, and it needs hands-on teaching for shaping.

• Scissors: An Introduction · Lesson 6

  How do you trim around ears safely?

  Trim around ears only in small, visible amounts, with the ear supported and the blades always in view.

• Scissors: An Introduction · Lesson 7

  How do you trim a tail and skirt at an introductory level?

  Trim tail and skirt outlines only by tiny amounts, keeping the natural shape and leaving shaping to hands-on teaching.

• Scissors: An Introduction · Lesson 8

  What should never be cut with scissors at home?

  Never cut mats, thin skin folds, sanitary areas or sore skin with scissors at home, and leave those jobs to a groomer or vet.