back brushing

[mylady]

OK, this may seem silly to post about as some may think it's a technique that everyone knows or should know, but I was grooming for years before anyone ever told me about it and the benefits. So for any newbies out there who might not know, when you are grooming a dog, especially with a snap on, if you want a smoother finish from the clipper work and to save yourself a lot of scissoring, make sure you back brush your dog and then go back over with the clippers. Of course, probably not necessary with a vacuum clipper system, but since I don't have one, it's how I save myself a lot of time on the scissor work. It's amazing how much nicer a finish you get. At first it took me some time to get used to doing it and it slowed me down since it was new to me, but now it's such a time saver. Thought I would post it for anyone else that may not have known about the technique.

[pooh13]

The only issue with back brushing repeatedly: is the cut will be shorter than that of which has not been back brushed, so if your used to having a certain length left to scissor after using a guard comb it will not give the same length end results as it will without back brushing. I have also found I can do a much faster and smoother job without back brushing.depends on your personal skills and preferences I think.

[nicshred]

Will agree with mylady, I also backbrush. Usually I go over once, spritz back brush then over again. This seems to save me tons of time. Then scissor to nice finish. On rare occassion I will go over three times but that is for those ones with crazy hair.

Trish

[PAWS]

You could also try clipping in reverse : ) I have been clipping in reverse pretty much since I first started. I also use a clipper vacuum system. Occasionally I will clip with the lay of the hair if it is a really wiry or wavy coat, just because it looks nicer to me. Even if you do not have a vacuum for your clipper, it is more efficient. But, I suppose it just takes time to get used to! I will back brush with my comb when I am finishing up with scissors to find the stray hairs. If I didn't have my vacuum, I would be a much slower groomer. I don't think I could live without it. Next to good shears, good shampoo and clipping clean coat, the best investment!

[Moonpiepoodlz]

I was taught to groom with back brushing but as the years have passed, I have changed alot of how I was taught.

When it comes to back back brushing I don't use a brush; I use my hands to back brush the coat and only do it once. I then scissor finish the rest. My dogs have a nicer finish and I'm happier with how they look and yes, when you back brush the blade length is "knocked down" to the next shorter length (5 back brush =7)

[Doubledogdare]

I do the first cut, then turn the HV on the dog, fluffing it against the grain all over, then do the second cut.

[workingchihuahua]

I was taught to groom with back brushing but as the years have passed, I have changed alot of how I was taught....and I'm happier with how they look and yes, when you back brush the blade length is "knocked down" to the next shorter length (5 back brush =7)

about what i do also.

[DBT]

my backs not really that hairy so i never needed to brush it


actually,i LURVE my CC T-Brush for backward fluffing ,pre clipping

[blue]

We were taught to back brush, but now the only time I really use it is on the spine sometimes where the hair is considerably longer than the surrounding.

I have a CV anyway, so most of the time there's no need... but also, I learned that going in reverse had the same or better effect of backbrushing, and usually got it done a little faster.

[mylady]

I've tried reverse clipping and just really don't like it. I have seen people do beautiful work with the technique, it's just not for me.

I try to run my hands through the coat or over the coat as little as possible because, especially with fluffed coats, doing that deposits oils from your hands onto the coat. I can thank Lisa Leady for making me uber aware of that!

[Candee]

I will back brush if I am using a snap on that is a bit longer than I want so it doesn't effect the overall length too much (or if the customer wants a tight short trim anyways). If I don't back brush, I back comb and go over it all with a thinning shear catching all the hairs that the clipper missed (this blends it really nicely).

[pooh13]

I will back brush if I am using a snap on that is a bit longer than I want so it doesn't effect the overall length too much (or if the customer wants a tight short trim anyways). If I don't back brush, I back comb and go over it all with a thinning shear catching all the hairs that the clipper missed (this blends it really nicely).

I don't consider comb fluffing the same as back brushing( just clarifying )