This first step should be to seek grooming instructions from your dog's breeder. If this is not an option, we now offer training at our new location. Our instructor will teach you one on one with your dog. You work with her to achieve a perfect groom and you also see the correct equipment required. Afterward, remember that practice provides improvement in skill and your pet will become accustomed to this ritual. Do not be discouraged with the results of your first couple of grooms.
You may also purchase clippers and shears from us at competitive prices and we provide service after sale. We also inform you how to maintain your equipment and how to groom safely. Injury could negate your $$ savings and cause your pet to fear the grooming process. 
Call us for equipment and training information:
We also recommend that you enroll in a course on general first-aid and have your veterinarian or breeder explain the basic signs of health related problems
(i.e.: skin, teeth, anal gland, parasites, and eating disorders).
Purchasing Grooming Equipment
Clippers and blades require basic maintenance (explained in service manual) but should be professionally serviced for major problems. Clipper blade sharpening requires an individual specifically trained for this function. Your bench grinder will have you running to purchase replacement blades.
Shears also require specialized sharpening. They must be handled with care and not dropped or used for other than the cutting of "FUR".
Your scissor sharpening feature on the kitchen can-opener is a NO! NO!
Your equipment should never be located in a damp location and always work on a dry dog. Rust is the enemy of sharpened edges. Clipper blades and shears require constant cleaning and lubrication to ensure peek performance.
Grooming Shears
 TIP: The way you hold your shears is so important, this can affect their cutting action & quality of cut!
The famous “Groomer Grip”:
 Place ring finger halfway into the lower hole & rest your little finger on the finger rest hook at the end. Wrap the index & middle fingers around the lower shank. Insert only the tip of your thumb into the thumb hole. To open & close the shears, move only your thumb. This is also a safe grip since dogs do unpredictable movements which could knock shears out of your hand. If this happens, either you, dog or shears could be injured or damaged.
If the above feels uncomfortable, possibly the finger openings are too large for your hand. Inexpensive "finger inserts" can be purchased which will customize your shears to fit your hand more comfortably.
“Do We Have Grooming Shears/Scissors” ?!
Brand Names We Carry: ROSELINE, HERITAGE, ANVIL, MONKS, FROMME, BLACK BEAUTY, BLACK KNIGHT
Japanese: Hokucho, Utsumi
Styles We Carry: Straight, Curved, Bent Shank, Blunt ended, Thinners….
 Sizes / Lengths We Carry: 5 1/2” to 10” all in straight & curved, also
4 ½” blunt ear & nose - straight or curved
Please call us for more info & remember that purchasing Grooming Shears is a very personal choice & it is not advisable to order by mail. Balance, quality & tension should be experienced hands on at the time of purchase.
Clippers
 TLC retails the following brand names in Clippers...OSTER, ANDIS, WAHL (km2). We also provide servicing after the Manufacturers Warranty period.
Full series of blades, clip on combs & parts for Andis & Oster. Wahl & Laube - basic parts available. Call us for prices
Click to View a diagram of clipper parts
Winter Care
Rain and snow dictate more brushing and overall care if your pet's fur is left long. A matted / knotted coat can act like a sponge for moisture and take hours to dry thoroughly after a romp in the snow. This can cause discomfort, odor, and possible skin disorders. A coat that is long but mat / knot free can keep your pet warm during the cold winter months. There are suits on the market that will keep your dog both dry and warm but they should be fitted on the dog at the time of purchase. Shoes are also available but starting young makes acceptance more likely. Close attention to your pet's feet during winter is important. Salt from our streets can burn the pads and fur left long between toes causes ice balls to form which makes walking painful. Trim the fur on the bottom of the feet and keep a towel by the door to dry the pet's feet after you both return home from a walk. See our "Helpful Tips" or our "Health Product Section " for Derma Shield which protects against salt burn.
Odor...Stinky...Greasy...Dandruff....
Many Pet owners complain to their groomer & ask what do I do between grooms to keep scruffy smelling good. After all he/she sleeps on my pillow!
The causes can be numerous. Such breeds as Hounds & Spaniels have naturally oily coats. This oil can become rancid and also pick up dirt when the dog rolls around on the ground. Many dogs love to roll in good smells such as dead squirrels or fish and they pick the most inopportune time to meet a skunk.
These odors can be removed with the proper bathing products, your professional groomer can be of great assistance. If your dog has a very long matted coat, there could be an infected wound you are not aware of or a case of fleabite dermatitis under all those knots. Some dogs are prone to developing bacterial skin diseases. Anti-bacterial shampoos are available from your veterinarian.
 Odors can also be caused by ear infections, impacted anal glands, improper dental hygiene and poor diets. See your local vet for diagnosing and a professional groomer for advice in keeping Scruffy smelling like a lovable domestic pet.
Summer Shaving for Undercoated Breeds
 This is the time of year when grooming shops are inundated with requests to shave undercoated breeds (such as huskies, collies, pomeranians, chows etc.) The downy inner coat that these dogs possess performs a two-fold function: it insulates & protects against cold (and heat!!!), it protects against injury from branches, thistles & most importantly, insect bites.
So if you wish your dog to be cool this summer, keep him / her well brushed so the fur coat will do it's job. By the way, when you see your dog panting, he is actually cooling himself - the warm air is drawn off the surface of the body & expelled while cool air is inhaled (this is panting!!) Remember that your dog can also be affected adversely by the ultra violate rays of the sun...
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TLC can help you learn how!