When do you backbrush?

[Reader]

When do you brush the hair backward before shaving? I have had two groomers tell me it wasn't neccessary, and one showed me to do it to get rid of tracks. One groomer told me to always backbrush when shaving with the grain. So when do you use the technique?

[Gracy Rose]

I backbrush only during brush-outs never during the actual groom. When grooming dogs I like the hair to lay natural so that my grooms look natural.

[PurplePoodlePetBows]

I always do when shaving with the grain. Another groomer I worked with never did and when her dogs were "finished" they still had sticky uppies all over. The lady who I worked for years ago and honed my skills, said to always backbrush untill no more hair came off.
Deanne

[Woof_x_2]

I backbrush only during brush-outs never during the actual groom. When grooming dogs I like the hair to lay natural so that my grooms look natural.

Me too

[Pixie]

I always backbrush after I've shaved with the grain, making sure there isn't any sticky outies.

[rapuzzled]

If I am saving super short (7 or 10) sometimes I will backbrush afterwards just to make sure everything is the right length. I won't do it before though because I think that it doesn't lay as natural.

[PAWS]

I don't back brush at all. I do clip in reverse, no need to back brush or re-clip.

[Maggy]

I used to never backbrush but I started recently and have noticed a smoother cut. Especially with a 7 strip.

[amysue2638]

backbrush w/clippervac?

I was also taught to backbrush until no more hair comes off. It leaves a very smooth finish that way, but it does take longer.

I was actually going to start a post on this but I'll just ask here. Does using a clippervac eliminate the need to backbrush?

[pawspagroomer]

I agree with purplepoodle...it helps make sure your groom is smooth. It is extremely important with poodle grooms and other non-flat-lying coats.

[doggroomer123]

Me too. Makes finished product smoother

[Lucy in the Sky]

I have a seperate slicker that I use for back brushing and fluff drying only. I forgot who makes it, but it is white and rectangular. It is very soft, that way i know I am not going to bother the skin too much. If I am worried at all that I am going to nother the skin, I use a zoom groom to gently lift the hair. It gives a groom a clean look. I worked with someone once that did not use this practice and her dogs were just not even all over.

[Poodlefluff]

I will back brush on dogs who have a hard to smooth coat like a Pekeinese 4-5 blade Or to get rid of track marks, yes a clipper vac would eliminate the need