The Wash Table
All lessons
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Scissors: An Introduction · Lesson 9
How do you keep scissors clean, sharp and safe to store?
Clean, dry, lightly oiled scissors kept in a case stay sharp longer and are safer to pick up and put down.
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Scissors: An Introduction · Lesson 10
How do you practise scissor control before working on a dog?
Practise hold, thumb movement and comb and cut rhythm away from the dog until the movements feel steady and automatic.
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Scissors: An Introduction · Lesson 11
What mistakes do beginners make with thinning scissors?
Beginners overuse thinning scissors, close repeatedly in one place and cut too close to skin, leaving thin patches and holes.
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Scissors: An Introduction · Lesson 12
When should scissor work be left to a groomer?
Leave shaping, breed outlines, thin skin work, mats and fearful dogs to a groomer, and keep home work to simple tidying.
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Blades, Guards and Tool Care · Lesson 1
How do blade numbers relate to cutting length?
Higher blade numbers generally leave shorter coat, but exact lengths vary by maker, so always check the blade chart.
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Blades, Guards and Tool Care · Lesson 2
How do snap-on guards change the length a blade leaves?
Snap-on guards hold hair away from the blade, so the same blade leaves a longer, softer finish with a guard fitted.
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Blades, Guards and Tool Care · Lesson 3
Which blade and guard combinations suit which coats?
Match blade and guard to coat density, length and texture, starting longer and asking a groomer when the coat is unfamiliar.
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Blades, Guards and Tool Care · Lesson 4
How do you fit and remove a blade safely?
Fit and remove blades only with the clipper switched off, following the maker system and checking the fit before use.
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Blades, Guards and Tool Care · Lesson 5
How do you clean a blade during and after grooming?
Brush hair from the blade often during grooming, and clean, dry and oil it after every session.
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Blades, Guards and Tool Care · Lesson 6
How do you oil a blade, and how often?
Oil a blade lightly before, during and after clipping, as the maker directs, so it runs cool and cuts cleanly.
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Blades, Guards and Tool Care · Lesson 7
How do you store blades so they stay sharp and safe?
Store blades clean, dry and oiled in individual cases, away from damp, knocks and other metal tools.
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Blades, Guards and Tool Care · Lesson 8
When is a blade dull, and what does dullness do to a coat?
A dull blade pulls, drags, heats and leaves tracks, so stop using it and seek sharpening or replacement advice.
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Blades, Guards and Tool Care · Lesson 9
How do you choose combs, brushes and dryers as a set?
Choose brushes, combs and dryer to work as a set for one coat type, so preparation, drying and finishing support each other.
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Blades, Guards and Tool Care · Lesson 10
What should a home tool kit contain for each coat type?
A home kit holds the brush, comb, clipper, blade, guard, scissors and safety items that suit one coat type, and nothing surplus.
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Blades, Guards and Tool Care · Lesson 11
How do you check tools for damage before use?
Check every tool for damage, cleanliness and fit before use, and retire any tool that fails the check.
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Blades, Guards and Tool Care · Lesson 12
When should a tool be repaired, sharpened or replaced?
Repair simple faults, sharpen blades and scissors professionally, and replace tools that are damaged, worn or unsafe.
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Nails · Lesson 1
How do dog nails grow, and what is the quick?
Nails grow continuously from the base, and the quick inside carries blood and nerves, so trimming must stay clear of it.
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Nails · Lesson 2
How do you choose between clippers, a grinder and a file?
Choose nail clippers for a clean cut, a grinder for gradual shortening, or a file for smoothing, matching the tool to the nail and the dog.
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Nails · Lesson 3
How do you hold a paw and a nail trimmer safely?
Hold the paw gently but securely, isolate one toe, and keep the trimmer steady with a clear view of the nail tip.
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Nails · Lesson 4
How do you trim a light nail step by step?
Trim a light nail in small slices, watching the quick shadow and the cut surface, and stop well before the quick.