Would it be a bad idea to clip my cocker...

[DoingTheSwanThing]

Myself?
I bought clippers a few years ago and tried once, but that was crawling around on the kitchen floor. To be fair it wasn't a bad first attempt but took a bloody age. Maternity pay is making me think I could do with saving the £50 I'd normally pay for 2 dogs.
The one most in need of a hair cut is the type with very dense hair that matts incredibly easily. How hard can it be, right?! I am in possession of stripping comb and other appropriate bits of kit... Less so free time though.
Any tips gratefully accepted!

[Floralnomad]

I wouldn't clip my dog ,although I've always clipped my own horses. My dog goes to the groomers . Can't you just save half the money by sending the one in greatest need ?

[tabulahrasa]

Well the other dogs might point and laugh if it ends up not working, but it must be worth a try?

[Lonecatwithkitten]

It's worth a try. Though after 14 years as a vet I am still rubbish with clippers and my dog goes to the groomers oh and my nurses try to prevent me from clipping anything.

[DoingTheSwanThing]

Ok... We'll give it a go. Worst case scenario I suppose is a slightly sheepish emergency trip to the groomers he's a fairly good natured thing anyway, hopefully he'll let me remove the matts without removing my fingers.

[DoingTheSwanThing]

Two words:
Oh
and
Dear.

[Floralnomad]

Can you put before and after pics up !

[LadyTurmoil]

Tee hee, you MUST put photos up. Promise we won't laugh AT you, just with you You were very brave to even attempt it!

[pigsDOfly]

Good thing the weather's cold, you can just pop a coat on him until it grows back.
Have you tried clipping the other dog? Remember, practice makes perfect.
My dog has a very fluffy bottom and as it's the only part of her that needs trimming I kept on doing it until I got it right. Well, sort of.

[HotPinkWeaselWearingLederhosen]

Well he must be a little less matted now?

[DoingTheSwanThing]

Didn't think of the before shot!
My problem now is the interruption for kids bedtime... We're an hour in and I've covered perhaps a quarter of his surface area! He has a short head and a lovely fluffy back/chest... Except for the (thankfully small) bald patch.
Ears were unexpectedly matted and now very very short, but at least I haven't caused him any pain yet :o/
Will consider an "after" picture if I'm not too ashamed.
Poor thing. He just seems glad of the attention!

[DoingTheSwanThing]

I have hair in my neck. Not ON it, IN. it. Little bastard shards of the stuff sticking through my skin.

Not worth it.

The worst bit? I still have legs and bum to go, and the little fecker is now refusing to give me his paw.

[pigsDOfly]

Poor little fellah's probably wondering how much longer he got to put up with this. TBH Doing, you're beginning to sound as if you've both had enough.

How's he looking otherwise?

Maybe finish him off tomorrow and spend the money you've saved on a nice bottle of wine, unless wine's off the menu at the moment as you're on maternity leave.

Is other dog pointing and laughing yet?

[DoingTheSwanThing]

The other dog wanted to get in on the act... Weirdo.
The finished bits actually look quite good, now he's had a bit of a shake!
Gave up for the night once the babies woke up, decided the occasion required gin so intoxicated the babies
Legs after bedtime I think... However our groomer has returned him half finished in the past since he's not keen on legs being done

[binger]

I often do it myself. I'm rubbish and the other dogs do laugh at her but she's pretty thick skinned. Takes ages as I can only do a little each day as she hugest stressed. I still use groomers a couple of times a year to fix my mess

[binger]

I clipped my girl tonight - disaster! Her body is into the wood, her front legs are patchy and her back legs are untouched. Was so stressed and so was she, that's why I stopped. I'm throwing the towel in and never doing it again.

I sent dh out with her tonight, the other dog walkers will never let me live this down!