Alternate blade to the 5f or 4 skip tooth to use to strip?
 I'm sure there is an answer to this question in another thread. But, I'm on my way out the door to spring a rescue boy from a shelter and I'll need to give him a haircut when I get home. I went to PetsMart last night and they were out of the #5f and #4 skiptooth blades for the Oster Golden A5. I've never done this before, but really wanted to try. Can someone tell me an alternative blade to look for? I did see the #7F. Will that work? He'll need a complete shave as he looks pretty matted in the photo.
Thanks ever so much! I'll check in when I get home in a few hours!  |
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| I'm not familiar with the different blades, since I keep the same blade on all the time, and don't even use a cover. My clippers have blade covers that are numbered to get different lengths, smaller number means shorter length.
For a dog that is very matted, I would think you'll need a close shave, so I don't think a skiptooth will be best. |
| A 7F will work just fine, it will shave him close, get under mats etc.
Barbara |
| The 10 F is shorter than the seven and will really get under the matts.
I started Rags with a 5f and it wasn't short enough. I probably would have had a much easier time if I started with the 10. |
| Then what is the skip-tooth designed for?
It certainly isn't a finish blade since it leaves big streaks. I have a #10 and the #4 skip-tooth. On the top of the skip tooth, every other tine instead of going straight forward is bent down towards the dog, only slightly recessed from the surface, and is quite sharp and pointy... looks to me like it is engineered to get into/under mats and pull the blade down towards the skin. Of course this is all guessing because I'm not a gromer at all, but it always seemed to me that the skip-tooth got through mats better than the #10. So I'm totally confused. |
| Here is one of my favorite dog sites.... this link is to clipper and clipping info.
They seem to be of the opinion that either the skiptooth or a regular blade is good for full shave downs, but the regualr blade leaves a smoother finish. http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/grooming/clipper.htm |
| Thanks for your help! I ended up with the regular#4 and the #10 that came with the clippers. They did have the #5F after all, it just wasn't in the correct space.
I've been scissoring him for an hour to try to get some of the worst matts off. I'm scared to death I'm going to cut him. Some of them are so huge and so close to the skin there is no way to get under them. Poor fellow. He's a mess. I've taken a few pics that I'll upload later on. I had to give us both a break. He's being such a good boy. Very patient with me so far. Hope the noise of the clippers doesn't scare him. Right now he's playing with Beau & Gen, who are, as always, happy to have a new playmate.
Wish me luck! More later! |
If you're going to shave him why are you bothering to cut mats out first? 
I just zoom right through them.... if I were going to bother getting the mats out I wouldn't end up shaving the dog.  |
| I think even if the mats are very close to the skin, or pulling on the skin, cutting right through the mat with the clippers might make it easier to shave them off on a second pass.
Maybe that's when the skip-tooth works better? (I'm still looking for a reason I bought them! ) |
| You can always cut straight down into the matt, toward the dog, and pull it apart to get a better look at what you are cutting. Even cutting or shaving halfway through the mat horizontally will loosen it up a bit so you can spot skin or anything else that might get in the way.
I'm sure he'll be thrilled when he can actually feel air on his skin again. |
| You are correct!! Wow! If I'd know how simple the clippers would be to use, I wouldn't have bothered with the scissors. I just thought it would pull less if I cut them out first. Oh well...novice mistake!
I'm buzzing around now like I know what I'm doing. This boy is a gem, though, not giving me any trouble at all. I just had to let him take one more break. He's been so good, but I could tell he was getting tired & a bit agitated, so we're resting for a bit. Almost finished though.
I've gotta tell you, I'm pretty pleased with myself. I was scared to death of those clippers!!! But, he doesn't look half bad and I've not cut him once.
You're right, Mandy. He's thrilled to death to be free from that prison of matted hair. He's flea ridden, too. So, I guess when I get finished with the haircut, I'll have to go back to PetsMart for Advantage. Whew!! Long day! |
| It does make for a long day, and I'll bet your back is aching!
Good job though.... 
He probably feels so much better |
| Thanks, Stacey!
I can tell he feels better. He's so happy & is running around like the wind. I put a sweater on him for tonight so he won't get too cold. After being used to all that hair, he's gonna feel the chill a bit.
Unfortunately, the vet's office in PetsMart closed before I got finished, so I'll have to wait until tomorrow to put the flea meds on him. I'm gonna go ahead and treat all four of my furkids, too, as a precaution. We've not had enough cold weather here to kill them out yet. (I even got one tick off of him -eewww!- but I don't think it'll be necessary to use Frontline). I'll give him a bath tomorrow and finish up. I'm tired!
Thanks for all your help today, y'all. I really appreciate it! 
P.S. We knew he was a mix, but now that he's shaved, I think he's got about as much sheepie in him as I do. Still, he's a sweetheart and real lover...giving kisses and wanting in my lap. We shouldn't have much trouble finding him a home. |
| Awwww he sounds like a doll! |
| Tammy,
Be sure to read this first: http://www.oes.org/page2/5804~How_to_ge ... fleas.html Then you can make a good decision on how to ensure you break the flea life cycle. Remember: All the fleas will be at different parts of the cycle... I'm POSITIVE you just deeply infested wherever it was you shaved the dog, then tracked that around the whole house.  |
| Tammy, My hat is off to you for rescuing and fostering. It takes a special person to do that. I am a foster failure.  My first, last and only foster dog was/is Owen, one of my goldens. Friends tell me they can see the word "SUCKER" imprinted on my forehead. God bless you for doing what you do . |
Ron wrote: Tammy,
Be sure to read this first: http://www.oes.org/page2/5804~How_to_ge ... fleas.html Then you can make a good decision on how to ensure you break the flea life cycle. Remember: All the fleas will be at different parts of the cycle... I'm POSITIVE you just deeply infested wherever it was you shaved the dog, then tracked that around the whole house. Great! 
Thanks for the warning, Ron! I've started the treatments. I HATE those little vampires!! 
I shaved him outside and changed clothes, but I'm still setting off bombs in the house.
Jackcjjc - thank you! That's very kind of you to say. I enjoy helping - even when it means fighting the fleas! 
Here's a shot of Mr Muggs before I started cutting hair. 
This is after scissoring and before clippers (poor fellow looks pitiful, doesn't he? )
And here's the finished product! Thanks for all the help & encouragement!
There's a couple of other shots in the gallery, if you're interested. |
| Off topic, but I wanted to brag on my Genevieve. She's never really minded grooming, but she's always been such a wigglebum and would occassionally nip at me if I pulled her hair at all.
She's been getting better, little by little, but yesterday afternoon I spent almost 2 1/2 hours line grooming her - and she fell asleep on the table! I was so proud of her I could've cried! And when I was pulling apart a matt with my fingers, she just licked me...no teeth at all...just very gently licked me. I was soooo happy with her!!
And, the best part of all...she has always been affectionate but still somewhat aloof. I've always had the feeling that while she liked me and was happy here, that she was holding something back. She's been in my home for six months now and yesterday she finally gave me that "look". She laid her head in my hands and with those big brown eyes of hers, she looked deep into my eyes and let go...she told me with that look that she loved me...really loved me...and licked my chin and cheeks and just gave me kisses for a few minutes...then she stopped, looked into my eyes again, and gave me one last kiss and went to find her brother.
It was a good day. |
| Awww Mugs is adorable....
Looks like a wheaten mix maybe? |
| I'm not sure what he is..LOL. He does this thing where he stops & looks at something and pulls up his hind leg about 1/2 way - kind of like a pointer. |
| Awww Tammy...! Yay! Sweet and Happy. I like that for a Monday morning! |
| I think Mr. Muggs is adorable, even in the pitiful picture, which I don't think is pitiful at all! (Hmm, what does that say about me, LOL?!)
Tammy, I got the same emotion from Bentley just recently that you got from Gen - they love us! Isn't that the greatest feeling in the world! Life IS good. sigh. |
floofdog wrote: I think Mr. Muggs is adorable, even in the pitiful picture, which I don't think is pitiful at all! (Hmm, what does that say about me, LOL?!)
Tammy, I got the same emotion from Bentley just recently that you got from Gen - they love us! Isn't that the greatest feeling in the world! Life IS good. sigh. It is....indescribable...just makes my heart melt. |
| The best warm fuzzy in the whole wide world!
Heck, I feel better just thinking about it now - and I've been dealing with stupid auditors for weeks now and am quite crabby. |
| He looks so good! Great job. |
| I just had to throw this in here about Mr. Muggs. He went to the vet today to be neutered. He wasn't even there two hours and they called me to pick him up. I could hear him howling in the background.
The vet tech, very politely, told me he was awake and very unhappy there and would really appreciate it if I could pick him up soon.
As soon as he saw me he was fine. Still, I had to laugh. My boy got kicked out of the vet's office.  |
| Awww poor boy... lol....
How is he at home? Settled, or still, um, looking for something? LOL |
| He was doing fine when I left him. I got him settled into a crate with a stuffie to keep him company. I imagine he's slept most of the day. I'm leaving to check on him in just a few mintues. Thanks for asking! |
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