Vehs

I think it means you've left them on the lawn too long

I wanted to do the best thing by my boy and after talking to Tracy (who was Jim's puppy school teacher) I was talked me into it oh and something about a sawdust factory.....

Definately seems to be illustrated by the replies on this topic too!

Hi Shmoo - that is why I added the part, "some owners have no idea" I wasn't inferring you were a bad groomer or retarded . But I still think a #10 is too short for all over the body - if the dog doesn't require it! Of course I've had to do the usual horrible matted messes that come in over the years. I don't have a problem with clipping a dog back for medical reasons, or even clipping a wide berth around the hot spots. I also don't mind clipping them back if they are very elderly and can no longer stand/put up with proper grooming, you've got to use a bit of common sense. However, if it's just an ignorant owner (which it often is) that in the long term is going to leave their dog very uncomfortable then I'll talk to them about the proper way to care for the coat - sometimes it's a fruitless venture, but I'll still try.

First thing I ask when a double coated breed comes in for a clip is, "Have they been clipped before?" If not, then I educate the owner. Some have even said, "Well what is the correct age for clipping a Golden?" "They are not usually clipped" Once the owners understand how clipping is going to stop the proper functioning of their dog's coat and make it harder for them as owners to care for them they will get a brushout, furminate etc. And because of the discounts we offer to regular clients they book in for MONTHLY grooms, not OAY grooms. I would probably do this if someone asked for a ridiculously short clip as well - its not going to stop the dogs shedding, it will make the shedding hair shorter, will that be more annoying for you? The dog will get sunburnt and with that comes an increase risk of suncancer and heatstroke etc.....

see that is FAR to short IMO, I would be worried about sundamage, clipper burn and just general itchies, some owners are completely hopeless. I have clipped a wirehaired JRT X, but that was a #7 and scissoring just to take the "scruffiness" off. Cavmad - that is unfortunate, it wouldn't hurt to tell her next time you take them that the feet were shaved and it was not what you asked for and then go into what you would like this time. In the cav breed standard I don't think the feet are tidied at all

Yep try a 20/26, but if Mars are able to chat give them a call. Also don't clip if your going to be putting all that work in with the coatking

Try a search on the forums. Bascially it's a bath that recirculates soapy water for a deeper clean on double coated breed = less scrubbing, and then you use a clean rinse water. You can get some that heat the water as well. I see you have a Lab, well you don't really need to use a hydrobath, but I would suggest warm water, shampoo with a zoom groom (or rubber brush) and then a soak in conditioner before using a blow dryer to blow out any undercoat and them using another rubber brush/hounds glove to get out anymore hair.

While they are all the same brand they are different products, whey they say 20 blade or 26 blade that is how many blades/hooks are on the tool, the higher the number the closer the blades and the tighter the strip. From the mars website you've linked to it looks as though the 20/26 would be ideal. But if your dog is crossed with a Goldie then you've got an undercoat to deal with as well, do you have a picture of your dog?

Where is this section of hair?

I've found those two tools ^ you've posted to be completely useless, but so many people I know swear by the shedding loop, they have Labs and Rotties Regular pin brushes are something I use on OES and Afghans

Samoyedman - you should PM angelsun, she was a fantastic help to me when I was grooming samoyeds Kamuzz - I would start by simple combing behind his ears regularly There are a huge range of coats out there, so it's just a matter of finding a tool that works for your breed and that you can use properly.

Jim gets sardines in oil once a week

With grooming cockers I see a lot of foot and nail problems caused by moisture - if her feet aren't already trimmed tightly I would look at doing that - complete nail removal seems completely unnecessary if she's only worried about them when you play with them.

:rolleyes: Warley can comment on Capital Groomings prices, but I think you'd find it hard to even get a booking there. I was talking to a girl who works there and she was mentioning how they are phasing out doing larger dogs and were really busy (during winter, let alone summer) But their work IS amazing. I love the $125 for the GSD

So?? Hope he's okay!

If I owned a poodle I would clip it myself (yes, I'm a groomer, but I probably would have tried before too). It can get very expensive going monthly or even every two months to the groomers. But I also see a lot of people's attempts at home grooming - not pretty We also get clients that come very regularly to get their dogs groomed and it costs them hundreds a year I guess it comes down to how much time people have and how much money - because this time of year we see the result of having little of both (and little commonsense as well). It'll be interesting to see if they let you watch the grooming process, sometimes dogs can act up more when their owners are there and it depends how the groomers set up their day if it is convenient for you to stay.

Some mobile groomers will have the storage water tanks and also a heating element in the tub to warm the water. as for this question As the hydrobath recirculates the soapy water (for one dog) and jets it out strongly it is excellent for double coated breeds like Mals and Huskies for washing deep into the coat on a skin level I know Perry's Mum asks that a mobile franchise uses her Aloveen and she gets a discount, but most will have their own shampoo that they add to the water/dog depends how the operater does it.

Definately let your groomer know that the dog has had back problems and they will probably try and get the dog through the process faster - I do this with the elderly dogs, I don't want them dying on me! and any dogs with injuries I'll take a little more care with - but I need to know about it! As for the pooping, it happens - I don't like it, but it happens :D No one should sedate your dog without your permission and I think you'll find most groomers don't have any of the medication on hand unless they work at a vets. If you are really worried you can just tell your groomer you're the only one picking up your dog and they might ask you for a 'password' Up to the groomer and how busy they are, if you really want to stay and the shop does let people stay, let the groomer know so they can give you an appointment where they can focus soley on your dog. It pisses me off when someone comes in and I've got 3 dogs on the go and they want to watch me clip their puppy-- just can't be done. That's the idea

We got a puppy folder as well - it was unexpected because we were so naive when we got D. I can't remember if it had anything about crating - I suppose not. But it was definately very helpful, I got the impression from here and from chatting with breeders that most people send home puppies with information

OMG - that is heaps of gear KitKat! Jim is soooo not loved :D My favourite thing for Jim is his car harness - we don't use it in the car anymore because I bought him a wagon, but he goes for walks on it and has it on during offlead play and at work so he's easy to hold on to. Other than that he's only got: Black dog limited slip collar x2 (because one is shoddy) Black dog multi length lead X2 (because one fell apart and that's now his "tie to the clothes line bath lead) Black dog flat collar 6m lunge lead Halti Little puppy collar with spikes spikey collar we don't use the stuff in brown anymore all his gear is black

awww that breaks my heart She's so lucky to have you and I will add that she didn't bark once at any of the other dogs in that day.

I swear that bum got bigger when she left! She was a little wiggle pie and now I can see all these stickie outie bits Thanks BMP - I'm glad you like it, I love the 2nd last photo and am saving it

awww your house is so orderly Mooper! Jim on the other hand I try to rotate his 30something toys, but he'll go into his toy box and pull every toy out until he gets his giant dumbbell and then proceeds to prance about the room, tossing his head back and leaves all the rejected toys around the study. I did teach him 'tidy' ... I will have to go around to tonight and see if he remembers it.