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Border Terrier Owners - Anyone hand stripping themselves during C-19

12 replies

Milicentbystander72 · 11/04/2020 09:25

My boy usually goes to an excellent groomer who hand strips him (normally takes at least 3 hours though).

He was due a strip end of March. Now his fur is completely blown and he desperately needs a strip. So I've watched a load of YouTube vids, ordering a stripping comb to help with legs etc and have started to have a go.

It's taking me 10 times longer of course. At the moment he has stripped area on his back. He looks ridiculous! I'm hoping to finish him in the next few days.

Anyone else trying this?

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Tonyaster · 11/04/2020 09:27

I clip mine. He hates being hand stripped and had a awful skin reaction last time he went to the groomers 5 years ago.

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Iwantacookie · 11/04/2020 09:30

I didnt think you could use clippers on boarders because it affects the way their coat grows back?
I've had a go using a flea comb but it doesn't look as good as the groomers though.

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Tonyaster · 11/04/2020 09:31

You aren't "supposed" to, no. He probably wouldn't win a dog show but he looks fine. Much happier too.

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Milicentbystander72 · 11/04/2020 09:36

Lots of borders are clipped. The only thing is it has to be one way or the other as once clipped you can't really hand strip.

I think when my boy gets older I will clip him, he has a sensitive chest and the dog groomer used to 'scissor' his fur there and blend it into the stripped fur. Very clever. I'm not sure if I'll be able to do that.

I hope the dog groomer doesn't shout at me when this crisis is over!

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Iwantacookie · 11/04/2020 09:37

I mean I thought it caused problems later on for them? Not in growing hairs but similar.
Its been years since I've dealt with anything other than fussing a dog so appreciate the advice may be different now.

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Tonyaster · 11/04/2020 09:39

I've been doing it for 5 years and he has never had any issues.

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WatchingFromTheWings · 11/04/2020 09:42

Our Boarder is coming up for 6 and we've only ever hand stripped him ourselves. I bought combs etc but found its easier to strip by hand. Our weirdo dog loves and it goes into a blissful trance! He'll lie sideways across your lap while we do it then when he wants you to switch sides he turns himself over! 😆 only place he won't let you touch is around his head so he always looks like a lion!

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Iwantacookie · 11/04/2020 09:50

I've just had a quick google only thing I could find was that clipping can cause the colour to come through different.
Apologies Ide obviously built it up to a bigger deal in my mind.
Good luck

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Milicentbystander72 · 11/04/2020 10:08

Watchingfromthewings that's good to know that you manage to do it yourself successfully.

My BT always has good reports back from the groomers saying he lies there half asleep while they do it. However as I've been doing it he looks at me with this "wtf are you going?" Expression in his eyes.

Like I said, he looks stupid at the moment because I've only done a bit of his back! Hopefully I'll get quicker.

Lockdown is a perfect time to learn a new skill!

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Milicentbystander72 · 11/04/2020 10:09

"Wtf are you doing?" (Not going)

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TheSandgroper · 11/04/2020 13:51

I have always stripped my bt myself. They aren't common around here so have never really looked for someone else to do it.

She hates it. I think it's more that she hates that it's never her choice as she can be a bit independent in her thinking. And she loathes at the best of times anyone mucking around near her back end. I can manage a bit around her nape for a while, I then tie her to something heavy to go a bit further around her chest but then she will start fighting. I need DH (who MsBT really sucks up to) to really get into her face and/or hold her down and we muzzle her.

My wrist is not good so I can't do long sessions so it can take a week or ten days for us to get through it. Currently, she is looking like an extra from Vikings.

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GinWithASplashOfTonic · 11/04/2020 14:03

I miss stripping my border 😢
Chalk helps with grip
We had several
Brushes which helps to do it.
They don't like there bottoms being done

Get them used to it by doing it little and often and almost like when you're stroking them. And of course lots of treats

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