How to shave a dog with human clippers

The short answer is no, you should not use human clippers on dogs. You can however safely use dog clippers on humans. There are a few reasons why... 

The blades are different

Blades for dog clipping have different teeth spacing, different teeth lengths, and are sharper compared to the finer, shorter blades used for human hair. That fine teeth spacing of a human blade is why human hair clippers usually grab, 'chew' or pull a dog's coat, instead of cutting it (as if the blade is blunt, even when it's sharp). For puppies in particular, using human hair clippers can cause a negative first experience by pulling the coat and hurting them, which can impact how they feel about being clipped for the rest of their life.

Human hair is different

Human hair is much finer and lighter. We grow one hair from each pore. Humans have one type of hair, called terminal hair. Dogs have 3 to 7 hairs growing from each pore, and although a few dog breeds have hair similar to a human (such as the fine drop-coat of the Yorkie), the majority have a mix of textures.

For many breeds the textures are mixed in the same area of the body, such as a cotton soft undercoat and harsher more wiry top coat. For others the texture changes in different areas of the body. Some dogs have double or triple coats, and all dog coats in general are much thicker and denser compared to our hair.

All of that combines to being more than what human blades and clippers are made to cope with.  

Heat is a concern

Human hair clippers only need to run for short periods of time and only need to clip one, small area of the body (our head). With shorter running times and less hair to cut, blade heat and clipper heat are of minimal concern.

Dog clippers run for a lot longer at a time, and have to clip the entire body, as well as clipping through much denser, thicker hair, so are manufactured differently to reduce overheating.

Keeping the clipper housing from overheating in your hand, and reducing blade heat to avoid burning the dog, are a feature of dog clippers that human clippers do not have. This is also why human clippers can get so hot when you try to use them to clip a dog. 

How bored are you at home right now? Are you bored enough to try trimming your own bangs? If you’re finding yourself bored and to the point of possibly trying to cut your own hair, why not get some practice in first. Why not give your dog a hair cut first? Dogs love us, so they will only be more than happy to agree to be our little guinea pigs. Or perhaps you just want to trim your dog’s hair because the groomer is closed. Either way, here are some tips and tricks to cutting your dog’s hair at home:

Preparation makes perfect.

Most of us think that the hard part of cutting our dog’s hair is the actual act of trimming. But it actually isn’t. In order for the process to go smoothly, you first have to make sure you’ve got everything perfectly prepared in order to start.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

– figure out what you want your dog to look like first. If you have a Rough Collie dog, then giving it a Poodle’s hair cut is probably not what you want, so research how much to trim off their coat by looking into their grooming techniques – decide whether to use scissors or clippers. Similar to the above point, the amount of hair you want to take off will determine whether you use scissors or clippers to get the job done. – if you’re going with clippers, consider getting the quietest ones in order to keep your dog from freaking out when you turn them on. Also, make sure they’re sharp and well-oiled before use. – if you have decided to use scissors, also make sure that they’re sharp and properly suited to your dog’s type of coat and thickness. Also, make sure you have a smaller, blunt-ended pair for the more sensitive areas.

– familiarize yourself with your dog’s coat, such as the length, thickness, direction of growth, and the sensitive areas to be careful around, such as the nipples, claws, face, and genitalia.

Clippers versus Scissors.

Using clippers is a good idea for either short-haired dogs, already-sheered dogs who need a touch-up, dogs in need of a massive makeover, or owners who are nervous about their skill level. Clippers make it easy to glide over a dog’s coat if you’ve got unsteady hands because the use of guided attachments.

The best way to ensure great results is to wash your dog beforehand and make sure to comb through all knots and mats in order to reduce the risk of the clippers getting caught and pulling your dog’s hair. Go with the grain of the hair in order to ensure clean lines and an even finish. When using clippers, start and the back of the neck and work your way down. Chat to your dog throughout the process and give them plenty of praise so they’re not as nervous. And at the end of it all, be sure you reward them with a treat or two.

For dogs with longer hair, clippers might not be suitable – especially if you’re just going for a trim. Before you start hacking away, make sure you know just how much you want to take off. And once you do start working, make sure that you go slowly and gently. Trimming your dog’s coat with scissors is certainly not a job to do when you’re pressed for time, make sure you can take your time. And always be careful to avoid angling the scissors with the sharp end pointing at their skin, you don’t want any accidents. While you’re grooming your dog, be sure to talk to them throughout, and when finished, give them lots of praise and treats.

For more help on how to get your dog looking good, check out the grooming video below:

There’s nothing better than snuggling up with your dog after a long day… that is, unless your dog stinks!

Dog grooming must be done regularly, not just to make your pup look and smell nice, but also to take care of his hygiene and keep him healthy.

Of course, you can take your dog to a professional groomer for any or all pet grooming services — wash, brush, teeth cleaning, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and more.

But all this grooming needs to be done regularly to keep your good boy clean and paying for all those services on a regular basis not only cleans up your dog, but cleans out your wallet.

If you’re interested in grooming your dog at home, you’ll need to understand some basics of dog grooming and obtain some special equipment.

This article will explain everything you need to know about human clippers vs dog clippers and home grooming for dogs.

Can You Use Human Clippers on Dogs? Are They the Same?

Technically, no. Although dog clippers and human clippers may look similar and serve the same purpose, which is to trim the hair (or fur), dog clippers and human clippers have a few important differences.

Simply put, human clippers are designed for and compatible with human hair, while dog clippers work for dog hair. Using human clippers on dogs won’t only make grooming much more difficult, but it could even injure your dog.

That’s because human clippers have a smaller blade than dog clippers and are designed to cut closer to the skin. Dog clippers have larger blades that allow for running through longer lengths of coats and don’t cut as closely to the skin, which helps prevent cuts or pulling out hair.

What Kind of Clippers Do Dog Groomers Use?

Dog groomers typically stock a variety of clippers and blade attachments and will use different ones based on the size of the dog, the length, or texture of his hair, and even his sensitivity to noise.

If you’re considering grooming your pup at home, it’s a good idea to have him groomed professionally first and then ask your groomers which products they recommend.

It’s likely they sell some of the products at the pet salon, so they’ll be more than happy to point out the right ones for your dog.

If shopping for dog clippers on your own, be sure to check with a sales associate or by reading the information on the label that it’s the right style for your dog. Andis and Wahl are two of the most trusted brand names for dog clippers.

For cutting your dog’s hair at home, you’ll need other tools as well, such as straight scissors or curved scissors and thinning shears — to learn more, make sure to watch this video:

Can I Groom My Own Dog?

Yes, absolutely!

Grooming your own dog has many benefits, such as saving money, bonding with your dog, and knowing exactly what products are used on him and how he’s treated during the grooming process.

But if you’re going to groom your own dog, it’s extremely important that you’re thorough and do the job correctly. One of the most important things to remember when preparing to groom your own dog is that human products and dog products aren’t the same.

Not only are dog clippers and human clippers different, but dogs need their very own shampoos, brushes, nail trimmers, and ear cleaners too.

You may think you’re being clever and saving a few bucks by using human products on your dog, but really you could be putting your dog’s health and safety at risk. For example, human shampoos are formulated differently and can cause allergic reactions, dryness, itching, or worse.

That’s why you must invest in the correct products for your dog to keep him safe and healthy while grooming at home.

How Often Should I Groom My Dog?

As mentioned earlier, your dog needs to be washed and brushed and have his hair and nails trimmed and ears cleaned. You don’t have to do all these things at once, but you do need to do them all regularly.

When it comes to bathing your dog, you may be surprised to learn that less is more. Bathing too frequently can cause your dog’s skin to become itchy and irritated.

Dogs really only need to be bathed once every 2-6 months (unless, of course, they get exceptionally dirty and absolutely must bathe).

How frequently you brush your dog depends on the type of coat. If he has short hair, he may not need brushing at all (and no amount of brushing will stop or prevent the shedding of certain short-haired dogs, unfortunately).

A good brush once a week is sufficient for most coats, the exception being long, curly hair, which may need to be brushed once per day to keep from getting tangled and matted. However, always use a hairdryer and a comb after giving your dog a bath to dry the hair and remove any knots.

Most dogs should get a haircut every 6-8 weeks. However, this may vary depending on your dog’s breed, whether you like him fluffy or not, and how well you take care of his coat.

You should also trim your dog’s nails every 1-2 months. Pay attention to how quickly they grow out and be very, very careful when cutting dog nails.

Use the proper nail clippers and have a professional show you where to cut, otherwise, you may end up cutting past the quick, which is extremely painful and will probably mean your dog will never let you touch his nails again.

Dog ears only need to be cleaned if they’re dirty or if your dog has an ear infection, but you’ll want to be very careful when bathing him not to get water in his ears.

And don’t forget to brush your dog’s teeth every day, or at least a few times a week. Dental problems can lead to serious health issues in dogs and taking care of their teeth now can extend their life and save you a huge vet bill later.

Even if you brush your dog’s teeth daily, he will still need a professional cleaning every six months to a year.

In Summary

Grooming your dog can be fun and rewarding, not to mention save you lots of money.

However, you have to know what you’re doing and use products and formulas designed for dogs. Also, be thorough in your grooming and groom on a schedule to keep your dog well maintained.