BC

Do as much as you can on the groin and legs while they are sitting down. I just use the strap to do anus and the tail so the dog has some sort or support, but yes, it gets in the way while doing flank and legs. It's hard holding them up with your arm when they're overweight and there's not much room between the tummy and table ;)

With elderly, overweight dogs it is harder, the poor little mites. I will do as much as I can with them sitting down. They tend to sit on their hips, if that makes sense, and usually you can extend the leg a little more with them sitting than if they were standing up. This way you can groom the inside of the back legs, and the leg and rump itself quite easily. When one side is done lift them up and encourage them to sit on the other hip to do the other side. With the bottom area I strap them up so there is no pressure on their joints by forcing them to stand. Also, try not to be nervous as they will pick up on this and they can easily be stressed. I agree, check the pain relief he is on and see what options are available. Unfortunately it has to be done either way ;)

;) It's gross, especially the first couple of times, but keep doing it, as settrlvr said in the bath, and you'll get used to it. Give me dog anal glands, poo and vomit any day over the human equivelant. (No I dont have kids yet )

I have done TAFE courses and find they did not have anything on one on one salon training that you can get so much more out of when you are first starting. There is a difference between learning to groom and being taught basics, and then taking a course to further your skills. IMO when learning to groom a class environment is not the method of training I would recommend at all. Remember many of the mobile groomers that are so crap have undergone many different TAFE courses in grooming. When you are already a skilled groomer and are just looking at picking up extra bits here and there then they are fine. Just IMO though.

Just do your research and ask to see some pics of dogs they have groomed etc, regardless of salon or mobile. Check around your area for any dogs you see groomed and ask them where their dogs are done etc. Call around and make some enquiries and I'm sure you will come up with a great groomer. I will let people watch as long as the dog does not misbehave, but dont teach as such. I would avoid the TAFE courses like the plague, total waste of money and there is no one on one time spent. Spend the money wisely and find a salon that also teaches grooming on a one on one basis. And for those out there, I am mobile and dont really appreciate the generalisation that we are all crap, do hack jobs, rush and generally have no idea what we are doing !!!! Yes, some mobile groomers are terrible, and will do horrible jobs or completely shave the dog as they have no idea about scissoring or shaping, but any average jo can open up a grooming salon from home or in a shopping strip also and call themselves a dog groomer. I have been in both environments and can say many a bad thing about salon environment groomers too. Those who have had their dogs stuffed, obviously did not do their research regardless of whether mobile or salon, and there have been many jobs I have had to fix up too, even from salons.

Vinnie and Cooper ate a bag of bullets last year and were fine. I was expecting the runs especially from the licorice, but nothing, right as rain !!!! They have to devour a fair bit for it to be toxic, in saying that, dont make it common practise to feed pieces of choc here and there.

I know you are in NSW but the person I use is called "Charlie the Clipperman" in Glen Waverly in Melbourne. They get blades and scissors sent from all over Australia, I have even seen Darwin in their courier and express post bundles. If you would like their details just PM me.

Could they be munching on a lot of grass ?

Just crate him or put him outside when you are eating and the drool problem is fixed, and then prepare his food while he is still crated or outside. Last thing you need is a leg injury from slipping over. Mine rarely drool so I dont mind Vinnie and Cooper sitting next to me while I eat, but as soon as I see drool they go in their crates so I can finish without getting slimy feet or carpet.

You will need to be a bit firmer. I would muzzel her to dry her. You will find most dogs wont even attempt to snap as soon as you put a muzzel on, and they tolerate it. Also brushing, put her on top of the washing machine and tether her to the taps or something, hold your left arm under her belly to make her stand, and start brushing, especially around her pants, making sure you get right between her legs. Dont put up with crap. Some dogs will never like it, but they learn to tollerate it. I love love love borders and have one myself, but I find they are always difficult to groom (Cooper is very well behaved though) and quite snappy at the best of times. Just dont put up with the crap, and never go into grooming time nervous, she will pick up on this. Also, dont yell or raise your voice if she is mucking about, just stay calm and relaxed and continue until you have finished the job, not when she's finished

I dont make either dog heel on walks. As DC said, as long as there is no pulling, I dont mind where he is. Heeling a dog on an entire walk would be very boring and not very enjoyable. If you want to practice do little bits here and there. Heel for 10 paces, then use a word such as "free" and let him have a sniff around and only do it a couple of times on a walk. Just doing this will mean control over him when you do see another dog or walking through people etc. I only use heeling when we are working in either a training session, or in the obedience ring, but if I need him to heel on a walk, he does so when asked.

One of my dogs "benji" had multiple fractures in his hips and leg. Mum and I found him on the side of the road one day after he was hit by a car. We took him to the vets, and paid $500 (this was about 15 years ago) to have surgery and 3 pins inserted and no on came forward for him so we kept him for the next 12 years until he passed away. Ever since that day we found him he would always hold his back leg up under his tummy. It looked painful and uncomfortable to us, but Benji was happy as larry running around with his little deformed leg tucked up. Back then we never knew about canine therapies, and it would've helped Benji immensly, as when he wasn't running around, he did put his leg down and walk on it, but as soon as there was some running or excitement involved he would tuck it back up straight away. The fact that he could walk on it shows that therapy would've encouraged it more, and got him out of the habit of holding his leg up.

Thanks so much Andoria - yes he is a real cutie - and he becomes more and more delightful each day - and no he's not going to be a FF... no... absolutely not... no FFs here... not at all... Cheers, Westiemum Yeah right :D hint hint

My last foster Alfie was funny with the cats. We would get really close and stare at them then as soon as they moved he would chase and bark at them. The thing that got him out of it was time out, pretty much what you're doing. I didn't mind him sitting with the cats, but I hated the barking and chasing. Every time he chased or barked I would put him in the laundry straight away, without saying a word to him. I left him in there for about a minute, then let him out again. I never gave treats or anything after time out, just let him out and ignored him. I think sometimes if you reward them after time out, it can say to them its OK to go and do what you were doing again now. Try completely ignoring him after time out. In about 2 weeks he learnt that the cats are not to be annoyed. He left here after 8 weeks completely ignoring the cats all together This was the little cat culprit

Yep, thats the one. Mine arrived next day too They do the job really well.

They're funny hey !!

This is Vinnies. I got it off Ebay for $17.00 plus postage.

Interested to hear more detailed results such as how often you apply etc, as I have never found anything that works. If this works I will be sure to get some.

Cooper has never really marked, but Vinnie was bad. Now, on a walk he gets 2 wees at the start, and on the 2 trees on our front nature strip and no more after that. If he stops for another one I say "enough" and he is dragged. After attempting a couple of times and then being dragged by me, he soon gives up and just enjoys the walk instead of sniffing and weeing on every blade of grass he sees.

Yes, I agree. I have done quite a few puppies from around 10 weeks onwards, and by the time they are 8-12 months old and have been groomed 3 times already they are an absolute dream to groom. Much better behaved than the older puppies in for thier first groom, and better behaved than many older dogs who only get done once or twice a year. Even though they are scared on their first groom, and even sometimes their second, they are alot less cautious at a younger age and get accustomed to it very quickly, plus they are FUN FUN FUN

I dont have a problem with the dogs coat being long all year round as long as it is groomed out (brushed through) properly, and assuming the dog is indoors, or in shade throughout the day. Many people get their dogs coats clipped short for summer, but also mainly cos they're out more with their dogs and its less work for them maintaining a long coat. As long as she does groom the coat properly and the dog does not become knotty or matted, then I dont see a problem with it. I have seen this many many times before though. They keep the coat long as a young dog, cos it looks so beautiful etc, but the novelty does wear off and she will end up getting the dog clipped once she is over the hard work of grooming daily.

Vinnie and Cooper are the same. As soon as I open it they're off and avoid coming near me big time. I dont use it that often as they have never had fleas and not in flea infested areas.

Have a look at the breed pages under ACD on the DOL homepage and look at some of the males on the websites. Or do a google search to get the breed standard. They are a medium sized dog and very compact. Also, dont judge the size of the dogs by his feet. You will get an idea from the size of his knuckles

Make sure your dog is hungry cos if they're burying it, they're not hungry, and make sure the whole bone can be eaten, like lamb flaps or similar so there is nothing left

I nearly always clip the dog prior to the bath due to matting or knots. Also, if the coat is very long and it's coming all off anyway as it saves time drying. It wastes too much time trying to remove all knots and matts prior to a bath, to then clip it all off anyway, plus I like getting the basic shape done prior to the bath. Once bath a blow dry is done, I will then go over the dog again. This ensures the best finish you can get as the coat is already in the shape you want, and you only need to go over again to really tidy up any stray bits that are sticking up, and tidy up any scissoring. In the busy months I will get my blades sharpened every 6-8 weeks, and over the winter months every 3 months or so.