trimming a *****n frise

[gsbbr]

I have been trimming my *****n frise (I am spelling it correctly, but the editor thinks I'm writing something else!) for two years. I am not a groomer. I use an Andis electric clipper I got at Petco. My dog looks cute (puppy cut), even though my work isn't very professional. I don't show him; he's just a lovable and well-loved family member.

I just got a new metal Andis blade--two, actually, one for a first pass and another for a final pass through his fur. My problem is that I can't cut even one strand of hair with either of the new blades. I can see the tiny scissor-things spring into action inside the blade when I turn it on, but I can't get through my dog's fur at all...and I mean nothing comes off.

His fur isn't matted. I can brush it just fine, and I lift it up with the brush and shave with the growth of the hair, not against it. But I can't get through the fur at all.

What am I missing? I think a new blade was long overdue, but I have never used a new blade before, and I don't know what I'm doing wrong. The new blade seems to be slipped on and snapped in correctly. It is one of those blades that has metal extenders so I don't cut the fur too close--I think maybe it's supposed to cut 1/4" or 3/8"--not sure I'm remembering right. (The clippers and I are in two different locations right now.)

Thanks for any help you can give me. Sorry I'm such a novice.

[only_dion]

your blades may need to be sharpened, although they shouldn't since they're new. also if they have been dropped they may need sharpening. does your old blade still work? If not there may be something wrong with your clippers.

[LoriAnn]

Do you have any blade wash? Sometimes the oil coating on the new blade needs to be cleaned off.

[hunny518]

what # is your blade. its possible the hair is to soft and too short that it is colapsing under the blade

[erdog3]

Also sometimes when the blades are screwed together, as there is two parts to a blade, they are not aligned properly, try unscrewing them and moving one to the right or left slightly, try it on your old blade first so you know what your doing.

[litctrygirl]

I've experienced the same problem with my Bischon with two different clippers. The video that came with my Walsh clippers makes it look so easy and the hair just falls off in big hunks on the Bischon they show being trimmed - yeah right - that's not happening for me. I'm fairly inteligent but I'm not a professional dog groomer. The only way I can get my clippers to do anything is if I hold the hair out taut with one hand and run clippers in towards the hair on multiple times over the same place. Or if I trim first with scissors and then use clippers but even then they don't work that great. I usually end up just using scissors. My Bischon is great. She is so lovable and playful. We live in the country and she loves to chase deer. Sometimes we call her the GREAT WHITE HUNTER! Anyways, if you have learned any tricks about your original question and using clippers on their fur, please let me know. Thanks!

[Moo]

Three years old! Please remember to check dates on threads.