Paw Spaw Part 1 – How to Clip the Paw Hairs using Bravura and BravMini

Paw Spaw – Clipping the Paw Hairs Using a Bravura and BravMini   Includes a Video Tutorial

 

 

Pinky d’Winky aka Pinky d’Stinky will be our model for a tutorial on how we, at Maltese Obsession, clip the hairs around our feet as well as around our paw pads.    
 
Pinky’s nickname is Pinky d’Stinky, because she is the one that has a stinkin’ cute personality.      Her favorite place to sleep is right under my neck, which makes it impossible for me to breathe…
 
We use a few different methods to clip the hairs within the paw pads as well as around the feet.       SHOP our Favorite GTGT on AMAZON
  1. Wahl Bravura at a #15 or #30 setting
  2. Wahl Bravura MINI – which as a #30 blade
  3. 4.5″ Pixi curved shears + 7″ curved shears
Today we will show you the Wahl Bravura and BravMini.
 
Note:   FLOAT the clipper PARALLEL to paw pad as shown above!

First let’s briefly discuss the Wahl Bravura & Bravura Lithium:
 
If you jump onto grooming blogs and forums, you will read many rave reviews and comments filled with adoration for this cord/cordless clipper.    The Bravura’s  claim to fame are:
  • QUIET — this will be demonstrated in the video
  • 5-in-1 blade  that doesn’t get HOT (does get warm)
  • Available in COOL Pretty Colors
  • Metal attachment combs that glide through hair – YES!
  • Cord or CORDLESS use ( I prefer CORDLESS)
  • Newer Lithium-ion battery is said to hold a longer charge
Bravura costs about            $129-ish (orig Brav hard to find)
Bravura Lithium about      $149-ish
Bravura MINI runs about   $75-ish
Metal Attachment combs run $35-ish for the set
 
I would NOT recommend buying these on Amazon, unless the supplier on Amazon is a reputable Pet Supply Distributor (eg. Cherrybrook, Petedge, Ryans, Groomerschoise, Showdogstore, Groomersmall, DrsFosterandSmith).    The reason for this, is that some ‘random’ sellers on ebay and amazon sometimes sell refurbished or ‘knock-off copies’ of popular items.     
 
I can’t verify this, but I read on some grooming forums that if the battery stops holding the charge, you can send the clipper to Wahl and they will replace the battery for a charge of $35 dollars.    I have had my ‘ORIGINAL’ Bravura 3 or 4 years and it is still working pretty good for me, although the run time/charge has dropped off.
Switch toggles from Left (LONGEST) to Right (SHORTEST)

 

5-in-1 Blade and it’s cut length uses
There is a toggle switch in the back of the Bravura that allows you to toggle and change the blade settings (see photo above).    Here is a chart for the 5 settings and what WE at Maltese Obsession use the blade settings for.    Our style may be very different then others, so please be aware that this is our personal use for our maltese.   
 
Note:   When this blade goes dull, you can purchase a new 5-in-1 Blade.   My first blade dulled after 2 years of use.
The 5-in-1 Blade Cut Lengths and Possible Uses:
  • Far Left            #9 = 3 mm cut   Best for summer cut on Body
  • 2nd from L     #10 a little shorter then 3mm
  • Middle             #15 best for tummy, hygiene, armpits
  • 2nd from R     #30 best for feet
  • Far Right      #40 = 0.1 mm cut    This is considered a ‘surgical cut‘ and I ONLY use this setting under a metal attachment comb.
The Bravura MINI has a SET blade that is NOT removable or switchable and has a #30 blade == great for FEET, but I also FLOAT the blade to do the armpits and tight spots that require a MINI clipper.
 
 

Bravura MINI
 
 
Safety:   Floating the clipper blade PARALLEL to the paw pad will ensure a safe clipping of the hairs on the bottom of the feet/pad area.
 
Entire set of Metal Attachment Combs
Shorter Length Cuts (Summer cuts, neck, face)
Longer Length Cuts (Winter cuts, legs, longer sides of face)
The metal attachment combs ‘occasionally’ come as a FREE SET, when you purchase the Bravura through a big pet supplier such as those I listed above.   This ‘FREE SET’ special comes out periodically and thus it is best to get on their mailing lists so that you can find out when this SPECIAL occurs.
 
I personally ‘virtually’ NEVER use the longer row of combs.   My FAVORITE combs are the RED, LAVENDAR and BLUE (the three shortest).   I use these to keep my maltese in a short body, and I keep their leg hairs in the ‘Town and Country’ cut legs.    
 
Most professional groomers will NOT TOUCH the plastic combs that come with the Bravura, as they DON’T work and if there is the slightest mat on your dog, the hair will PULL and hurt them —— THROW THE BLACK PLASTIC combs away…just saying’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICQUBAWH03M

There is much more to discuss on how to use these handy dandy clipper(S) as well as how to take care of them, but we’ll save that for future blog posts.
 
BONUS USE:    I kept my old worn out 5-in-1 blade and use this blade PLUS the metal combs to clip my son’s hair!!…works better then any human clipper that we have….
 
Pinky says Thank You  for Visiting MO!
Please drop us a note below, on Youtube or FB to let us know if this MO BLOG and Videos are helpful.
 
Note:   All fluffs as wells as their groomers have different tastes, needs and favorites.   Not every SPAW treatment need be the same.    Maltese Obsession is happy to share our PAWSITIVELY Perfect GO TO Grooming experiences.
 
 
Please acquire your dog through an ethical, reputable and HUMANE AKC breeder, or better yet, please consider adopting one of the many maltese or dogs available through your local rescue @ petfinder.com.   
Never, NEVER invest a single penny at a petstore that sells puppies….just sayin’…
 
 

Continue reading “Paw Spaw Part 1 – How to Clip the Paw Hairs using Bravura and BravMini”

Tweety Face/Eye Wash and Simple Top Knot Tutorial

Tweety Face/Eye Wash and Simple Top Knot Tutorial

Tweety is making her debut VLOG appearance.    She was groomed into her Korean cut over a month ago, and we will VLOG her upcoming clipper Korean cut for viewers to see how we do this at home.
 
This technique of washing her eye area is only one of the many ways that we as maltese owners can keep the eye area as clean as we can.    
 
One question that I am sure to get is what our thoughts are on Angel Eyes and antibiotic treatments for eye tearing.  My experience working for many years in the pharmaceutical R&D as well as the sales and marketing end of antibiotics, has led me to lean against any unnecessary use of antibiotics for our family (both humans and dogs).    Bacterial drug resistance has become a huge problem in the pharmaceutical R&D world and I lived too close to seeing the human struggles resulting from antibiotic super infections and resistant strains of bacteria.


Spa Lavish Blueberry Facial Cleanser by Tropiclean

Above is pictured the Blueberry facial cleanser that is used in the video.   

On my other dog, I also use Contact Lens saline solution that contains Boric Acid to cleanse the eye area.   The saline cleansing is followed up with applying corn starch, which helps keep the eye area dry.

There are various different ways to clean the eyes and remove tear stains.    Excessive tear staining could be the result of blocked tear ducts, teeth problems and/or other health issues.



We hope you enjoy meeting Tweety!

Note:   All fluffs as wells as their groomers have different tastes, needs and favorites.   Not every SPAW treatment need be the same.    Maltese Obsession is happy to share our PAWSITIVELY Perfect GO TO Grooming experiences.
 
 
 

1st VIDEO BLOG with DOLCE +++ 10% Discount on Madan Brushes and Combs

Video Blog Review:   Dolce will review the Madan Apple Green (FIRM Cushioned) Pin Brush

 

10% Discount on Madan Pin Brushes and Combs when you mention Maltese Obsession at checkout with coupon code MO10      www.toplinepet.com

10% Discount will be issued in the FORM OF A REFUND via PAYPAL after purchase is completed
Pretty Brush Bouquets
We’ve already reviewed: 
 
Baby Bear = Orange SOFTY
Mama Bear = Baby Blue MEDIUM
we can’t leave out
Papa Bear = Apple Green FIRM
 
Welcome to view our FIRST VIDEO BLOG aka MO VLOG.   We also show you how we do Dolce’s signature inside out ponytail flip top knot!
 
Dolce and the Maltese Obsession Pack hope you enjoyed our first video to greet all of our Maltese loving friends.    
 
Please come back and see more video blogs and tutorials.    We are hoping to come up with a fun idea for a brush giveaway!!!
Note:   All fluffs as wells as their groomers have different tastes, needs and favorites.   Not every SPAW treatment need be the same.    Maltese Obsession is happy to share our PAWSITIVELY Perfect GO TO Grooming experiences.
 

Combs + Combs + Combs (Part 1)

7.5 Inch Grooming Comb Review:
Combs are used EVERY SINGLE DAY, and multiple times each day!    A comb review is pretty hard to do in one pass.   There are tons of GOOD and GREAT choices.   We will look at just Grooming Combs today.    
 
Face, beard and flea combs will be covered in future posts.


I have used, loved and hated all kinds of different combs.   I let my dogs tell me what they like as their comfort is TOP PRIORITY when they get their SPA GROOMING treatment.     Light weight and high function are very important to me as the groomer.   
The truth is my heart LOVES the Chris Christensen special edition #000 Buttercomb.
 
#000 Chris Christensen Buttercomb 7 1/2 ” Long Tooth Fine/Coarse
It is BLUE and Crazy AMAZING!   Sadly, this blue special edition butter comb is not currently available.   I have had it for about 4 years and with the exception of ONE tooth being bent and a small corner chip in the paint, it works like BUTTER!
 
 
I LOVE CC combs.   The combs simply glide through the hair smoothly, ‘LIKE BUTTER’.   In the brush world my GO TO pin brush is a Madan over the CC pin (both are AWESOME).    In the comb world, my GO TO comb is the CC Buttercomb over the Madan (again these are my TOP 2).
 
Chris Christensen Buttercombs are the GOLD STANDARD for my GO TO GROOMING Comb + Detangler


In my daily grooming routine, I will search for mats after I do an initial brushing out with a Madan pin brush.    I always spritz with either the CC Ice on Ice or the PURE PAWS Classic Line SHINE Conditioning Spray (purple bottle) before any type of brushing.   
 
If I find any mats I spray the mat with CC ICE on ICE and then work out the mats with my fingers.   If the mat is small I just spray with ICE AND ICE and brush with the CC WOODEN PIN brush (works on mats like a charm).    This takes out most of the mat.    
 
Then I follow and finish the body with this CC 7 1/2″ Buttercomb.    I will once again spritz both  the area where the mat was as well as the COMB with IceONIce before combing.   
 
The CC Buttercomb will finish taking out all the loosened mats as well as CLEANLY brush out and separate all the hair.   (pictured above)
 
 
CC #000 Buttercomb in Blue vs MADAN X-Long Pin in Pink Aluminum

$32 on a CC comb is pretty steep.    There are some less expensive alternatives, but if you have multiple dogs and home groom,

I would recommend either the 
#000 $32 or the #005 $50 as a GO TO GROOMING Comb!

CC 7.5 Inch Buttercomb Coarse/Fine #000 $32
Madan 7.5″ Aluminum X-LONG Pins $20
 
The new Madan Aluminum 7/5″ with EXTRA LONGER PINS (pic above)  is actually equivalent to the CC #005, though the Madan pins are slightly shorter (1.4″ long vs the CC 1.625″).   The  ALUMINUM OVAL non-slip handle makes this comb EXTREMELY light for it’s size and appearance.   
 
I love the lightness of the aluminum body, as I am hard on my hands and they are starting to hurt from arthritis, so lightweight combs and brushes are a must for my GO TO Grooming needs.
 

 

The tips of the pins are SLIGHTLY pointier to the touch then the CC Buttercomb, but I really enjoyed the longer pins and the light weight feature of this comb. 
 

This comb is new and is available in Purple, Light Pink (pictured), Orange and Gold.    Definitely worth it’s weight for just $20.
Madan 7.5″ Aluminum X-Long Pins $20 —- the longer pins make it great to use with Clipper work
Add caption
Pictured above is another great feature about the longer pins on say a CC #005 or a Madan Aluminum 7.5″ Aluminum with Xtra Long pins.   Safety is really important when home grooming and the longer pins allow us groomers to use the comb as a tool/barrier when we are using a clipper.   This is very useful when clipping closer to the skin especially in the rump area or hygiene area.    
The longer pins are also FANTASTIC for fluffing the coat prior to using the clipper or prior to scissor clipping.    

We have a choice of the CC #005 for $50 or the Madan X-Long Alum for $20.   Great 1,2 choices!
 
 
 
Madan Pink 7.5″ Aluminum $13
A great inexpensive comparable comb to the amazing #000 would be the Madan 7.5″ Aluminum comb.    The PINK and GREEN have pins that are 1.14″ long, but the BLUE and PURPLE have pins just under 1″.   Sadly I find the 1″ pins too short and quite unfunctional for my uses.    I would move over to a face or beard comb if I want short pins.   
 
Again, the aluminum body makes this comb very lightweight and very useful for everyday grooming.   A great 2nd choice if you didn’t want to spend $32 on the #000 Buttercomb.
 
 
Madan SHINY Grooming Comb 7.5″   $20
 
Another great alternative is the Madan SHINY Grooming comb 7.5″, also available at www.toplinepet.com.   This is made of some type of Automobile Galvanized plated finish, with a COPPER round handle.    This comb comes in many colors and has COARSE + FINE pins.   The weight and overall size for the Blue CC#000 and this Madan SHINY 7/5″ are pretty identical.  
 
I would say it is definitely SLIGHTLY heavier then the 2  Aluminum Madan combs that I posted above, but if you like a solid shiny comb that is really a perfect size for everyday grooming, then this is a pretty good alternative.     
 
 
 
Petedge Master Grooming Greyhound Comb Fine/Coarse $7.43 on sale from $9.29
 
Master Grooming Greyhounds can be found at Petedge.com  and I thought I would try these out to see if they would hold up to my snobby comb preferences.
 
Above is the MGT 7.5″ Greyhound Fine/Coarse, which is only $7.43 on sale at the moment.   It is available in many colors and pictured above is the RAINBOW version.    The comb is noticeably and significantly heavier then both the CC combs and the Madan combs.    My eyes tell me that they should be just as good as my BLUE CC BUTTERCOMB, but somehow there is a huge disparity in the two combs.    
 
First, the SIGNIFICAANTLY heavier weight of the MGT comb makes me hate picking it up (sorry MGT).    Next, and more importantly my dogs didn’t like this comb anywhere near their legs.    
 
The hair doesn’t have that ‘LIKE BUTTER’ glide with this comb.    HOW can this be?    Isn’t stainless steel all the same?    In the cooking world, all stainless steel pots are NOT created equal.    I prefer using ALL CLAD stainless steel pots over any other less expensive brands. The ALL CLAD pots maintain their luster, are better conductors of heat, and for many other reasons make cooking an enjoyable and gourmet experience.
 
I think the same goes for the quality of the stainless steel that is used in Chris Christensen combs.    One of the earlier interviews I read about the making of the CC company was that CC was focused on the making a great product without consideration of making it less expensive for the consumer.    The stainless steel of the CC combs, must be likened to the high quality of the stainless steel that is used in my favored ALL CLAD cooking pots.
Sadly, my review of the MGT Grooming comb is that though it  is a great deal for a comb,  I would much rather pay a little more @ $13 and get a much better product with the Madan 7.5″ aluminum.    BETTER YET just fork out the $32 for the CC#000 or $50 for the #005 and LOVE grooming with it FOREVER!!!…just saying…

 

 
 
 
 
Wow, and we haven’t even touched on the rat tail comb nor the face/beard combs yet.    Forthcoming in the near future.
 
Thanks for reading.     Please feel free to share your thoughts on what your favorite grooming comb is!!
 



PRODUCT MENTIONED and PICTURED:

  • CC #000 Buttercomb 7 1/2″ Fine/Course:   Teeth are 1 1/16″ long (26 wide and 37 fine pins) $32
  • Madan Aluminum 7.5″ Lightweight Comb Fine/Coarse:   Teeth are 1.14″ (PINK or Green) or 1″ (blue or purple)  $13
  • Madan Shiny grooming 7 1/2″ Comb Fine/Coarse:    Teeth are 1.1″ (many colors) $20

 

  • CC #005 Buttercomb 7 1/2″ Long Tooth Fine/Course:    Teeth are 1 5/8″ long  @ $50
  • Madan Alum 7.5″ Xtra Long Pins:   Teeth are 1.4″ long (26 wide and 37 fine pins)  $20


Other must haves:    I will find comps for these CC combs in a future post

  • CC #006 Face & Feet Buttercomb 5″ long:   Teeth are 5/8″ long (spaced at 24/inch and 12/inch)
  • CC #008 Tail Comb ALL FINE:   7″ long with 4″ tail:    Teeth are 3/4″ long (spaced 16/inch)

Chris Christensen combs are found on their website at www.chrissytems.com
Madan combs and brushes are found onwww.toplinepet.com  


Note:   All fluffs as wells as their groomers have different tastes, needs and favorites.   Not every SPAW treatment need be the same.    Maltese Obsession is happy to share our PAWSITIVELY Perfect GO TO Grooming experiences.

 


 

Top Knot Bands, Cheeries & TEA Parties?!

Obsession with Top Knot Bands & Tea Sets’.
 
 
 
What in the world am I gibbering about?    Most people would find me quite strange to make such a big deal about TOP KNOT RUBBER BANDS.   Oh well!!!    Somebody out there in cyberspace must understand me.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I LOVE having my dogs wear their hair up in top knots.   Tweety pictured above uses up a ton of top knot bands as she has the longer ears and a very long top knot in a FUSION KOREAN cut.
 
 
Tweety in her pigtails, uses quite a few top knot bands from Claires.
 
I have purchased hair bands from all types of specialty dog stores and dog bow stores and craft stores over the years.   MOST of the bands purchased from specialty dog related stores as well as beauty supply stores have FAILED!!!    They were too big, too small, too slippery, too stiff., too thin, too thick, broke hair, tangled the hair, snapped/broke easily…..etc, etc, etc.     Sorry, I have to admit that I am pretty darn picky about my hair bands — BOTH for my dogs as well as for my girls and myself.
 
Today there are TONS of good choices for the Perfect Go To Top Knot Band.    A smorgasbord of choices!!
 
BUFFET TABLE OF BANDS — nom..nom…nom
Buffet table of edible treats! ~~~  we love parties at Maltese Obsession!
Fun with so many choices of bands in a rainbow of colors

After years of searching I used to only find GOOD bands in 2 places (Claires and toplinepet.com).    Today, I can find great bands EVERYWHERE!   Thanks to the latest TOY craze, there are CRAZY LOOM rubber bands all over town.     girls are making LOOM BRACELETS using a plastic device and colorful rubber bands.   These LOOM kits can be bought at toy stores, Michaels, Claires Accessory stores etc.   Not all loom rubber bands are perfect for top knots.   They vary VASTLY in thickness, stretchability and weight.    We use the loom bands that are on the lighter side.

Rubber bands don’t go to waste in our house with three human girls that love to play with hair styles, piggy tails and top knots!!!

 

From Bottom to Top:   1) toplinepet.com SNAG FREE bands in lavender and white 2) Loom bands (rainbow) 3-6) Claires hair bands (hello, green, light blue, lavender) Last is Hello Kitty kit LOOM bands (pink, hot pink, black_
Loom kit rubber bands — this set did NOT cause ANY hair breakage.   They were also very light weight!
 
The above bands are all made for LOOMING!
 
 
Cheerios and Loom Kit Bands
 
Here is where the CHEERIOS come in.   The PERFECT band size for me happens to be the size where a CHEERIO will fit inside!   
 
1/4″ Latex bands on TOP of the Cheerios are TOOOOOO small
 
The above picture shows TINY 1/4″ latex bands that I bought from a dog BOW SPECIALTY store on-line.    My fingers are huge and these TINY bands do not work.    You can see one in the above picture sitting on TOP of a cheerio.
 
 

 
Above you can see the PASTEL bands on the RIGHT SIDE of the cake plate.   These are from CLAIRES Accessory stories and they are LITTLE GIRL HAIR BANDS.    These have been my FAVORITE for years now.   These little girl hair bands are THINNER then most looming bands.   
 
On the left side of the cake plate:

 

Top — looming bands from a toy store (a Hello Kitty kit with light pink, hot pink and black)

 

Middle — thinner hair bands included when you purchase a Madan Top Knot scissor. (lavender, white)

 

Bottom — looming bands that are pretty thick and hold top knots for at least several days! (rainbow of colors)

 

 
 
Madan $5 band scissors come with SNAG FREE bands ~~ www.toplinepet.com

 

The above picture shows what you get when you purchase the Madan band scissor.   When I first received this bag of bands free with the Madan band scissor, I ended up ordering more scissors, just to get extra bags of these nice bands.   They are thinner bands and are a bit slippery, so I found that they do break easier and the top knot slips out a bit quicker.    I still love these hair bands and will continue to enjoy using them, as I like having these thin bands, when I do styles where I do not want the band to show.

NOTE:    these snag free bands are available for sale at www.toplinepet.com    LOVE THEM!!!

 
 
PUPPIES, would benefit from the LIGHT WEIGHT and THINNER human hair bands.   I would NOT recommend using loom bands on puppies as they would be considered MED to Heavy weight and would definitely not be comfortable for a puppy that you are training to wear a TOP KNOT.

 

Looming bands are thicker then Madan or Claires snag free bands
Tweety above is in between grooms and I just washed her face so her fur is wet around her nose and eyes.  I am growing her hair out so that I can video tape how I do a Korean fusion cut on her face.   When I put her hair up in this style, it will STAY NICE AND CLEAN FOR 5 days to 1 week!     Gotta like that!
 

 

 
What is with the tea party you might ask?   I LOVE going to tea and I have two daughters that never get tired of tea parties.   We collected so many tea sets over the years that we love to pull them out to play or drink hot cocoa or lemonade or WHATEVER!

 

 
My younger daughter had so much fun organizing the bands into the little tea cups.    I love how she arranged them so much that I added the TEA SET OF BANDS to my grooming station!!!

 

 

 

Note:   All fluffs as wells as their groomers have different tastes, needs and favorites.   Not every SPAW treatment need be the same.    Maltese Obsession is happy to share our PAWSITIVELY Perfect GO TO Grooming experiences.

Designated Dingle-berry Doo-doo Comb and Scissor!

Dingleberry Comb and Scissor

Does anybody else have a dingle-berry, doo-doo, hitchhiker (eg. poopy) comb and/or scissor?


Inexpensive FLEA comb that we have designated as the DB Comb


We are a house full of germophobes!    Even our dogs like a super clean and posh environment!    (FACT:   most times, the dogs are cleaner then my kids)    We don’t wear shoes in the home and I like using a natural water steamer to steam my floors.

If there is a dingle-berry (DB) hitch hiking a ride on the back of one of my maltese, the smart dog will come over to me and turn their bottom side towards me and  stare at me to evict the pesky little doo-doo off of them.   This is a true story.


We have a designated flea comb that we have handy to comb out the dingle-berry.    We hold the hair on the side attached to the dog (to prevent pulling any hairs and hurting their tender bottoms) and we gently run the flea come through the tail hair where the DB is hanging out.   Normally, most DB’s will come out with the flea comb.



There are those occasions for those ‘moist and larger’ DB’s, where we’ll have to resort to the designated DB scissor.    


Designated DB scissor       Note:   I have censored my fluffs ‘privates’ with the comb …just sayin’



This is just a pair of curved, blunt ended scissors that we purchased from BBB (bedbathandbeyond).   We like them because they are not too sharp, which will make it safer to just snip out a DB, without worry of hurting the dog.   We like that they are curved with blunt rounded edges, so that we only ‘surgically’ remove the DB from the few hairs that they have decided to be squatting on.

Note:    Did I mention we are germaphobes?     I anti-bacterialize DBC or DBS after each use…
We never go too close to their skin without using a finger as a barrier between the dog and the scissor.   If the DB has…smeared and made a mess…off to the bathtub we go…….bottom wash time…

Curved, BLUNT tip DDB (Designated Dingle Berry Scissor)





Do you have a special ‘name’ for DB’s?    and/or Do you have a D-DB (designated DB) comb or scissor?




Note:   All fluffs as wells as their groomers have different tastes, needs and favorites.   Not every SPAW treatment need be the same.    Maltese Obsession is happy to share our PAWSITIVELY Perfect GO TO Grooming experiences.




Please acquire your dog through an ethical, reputable and HUMANE AKC breeder, or better yet please consider adopting one of many maltese and other dogs available through your local rescue @ Petfinder.com  

Never, never invest a single penny at a petstore that sells puppies…just saying…

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