Doggrooma

Not many of my clients actually want a show look apart from all of my Schnauzers and my one favourite Airdale. Different clips to replicate show dogs isnt a prob for me. I take great pride in these guys. I am about the only groomer around my area who does groom breeds as they should be or a slight variant being a pet. Settrlvr I grew up with my mum breeding and showing Griffons so I know all there is to know about hand hand sripping wire/rough coats, I think another reason why I never questioned the whole Never Clip before 12mo, knowing what clipping these coats does, I guess I associated this that and the other and never thought about it again. I have taken in everyones opinions, but its difficult to let go of something that was so often pumped in you head. I still know Im not the only one who thinks this way, but bugger it. Im buying myself some new blade combs and going to have a play around. Iv got a few around the 7-8 mo mark coming in over the next few weeks. Start at that and see how things go.Im still not going to clip baby babies its way to foreign to me at this stage. I do appreciate everyones views.

Have you tried a Mars coat king? it will work quite effectivly. Better in most cases than an ordinary rake. Regular bathing and a BLOWDRY will help.

Yes a height adjustable table is a must. Excellent investment. Good luck with everything

Its not as easy as it sounds. Have you been out with a mobile service to see how they operate, before you decide? Sorry Im used to a salon situatin so i wouldnt work out of a trailer, too cramped for my liking. But others love it!! As Dru said you need to work somewhere first before you venture out on your own. There are so many obsticles you will encounter and if you are not equipped with the knowledge of how to overcome or rectify the problem you'll be lost without guidance.

Yeah but we only have a grooming school in Vic and im not going to do the course and be re taught ways I have mastered on my own. Plus where I live a mobile groomer promotes she is a graduate of this school blah blah. Ive had some of her dogs come straight to me when they have just been done to try and be fixed. And it wasnt a matter of what condition the dog was in before, it was a lack of not having a smooth even clip and not scissored well. This is only one exampe but was my first from someone who had done this course and it didnt say much for it IMO. Its something I beleive if you dont have an eye for it, you dont.

That totally normal, You just arn't getting enough undercoat out with whatever you are currently using. One of the best rakes I find is the el cheapo 'Stylemaster deluxe FINE rake' its all of $10 and you can get one at petstock. Other wise I use a V-Rake but you probably wont get one of them here I had to buy mine from America. And not to forget the Mars Coat King. An invaluable tool but you will pay between $50-$70 depending on what model. A hydrobath and blowdry on a regular basis is a good way to keep this under control.

I have never really questioned my way of being taught even though I did grow up showing and again do now, but Im not interested in dogs with coat so it never really crossed my mind to investigate WHY NOT? Funny that Im not into fluffies and Im a groomer, I like my bull breeds!! I am coming to the realisation that my way for some is a little weird, but its suits me fine and Im good at what I do so I'm not going to change too much however I will adapt a little I think. Its a little hard when everyone else is doing something different to yourself, when you thought you were doing the right thing in the first place.

I wish people would read properly. I am far from your run of the mill hack. If I was taught differently well and good. I am happy with my clients dogs and so are they. Did I once say the dogs are not touched untill 12 months NO. Once again Everyone that needs to be clipped has Face, feet, bum done and depending I may scissor some off the coat but I dont however clip baby puppies coats right back. As stated at the moment I dont use Att. Combs my main blades I use is a 4,5 or 7. Working on my own and running a busy salon I dont have the luxury to muck around with alot of scissoring and long clips, so no I wont "clip" young ones!!

So you would never suggest to a schnauzer,poodle,cocker spaniel,american cocker spaniel.portuguese water dog or any of there other breeds that require grooming to be done before 12 months ?? Schnauzers, cockers, setters, westies as you point out are hand stripped to differing degrees for the show ring are they not??

I by the sounds are as confused as you at the moment Muckypup. You have been taught one way, myself another. Do you comprimise and meet somewhere in the middle :D I thought I was doing the correct thing, but as with everything things change, I guess from now on I might not be so set in my ways and asess dogs on an idividual basis.

As far as poor coats I mean the texture. As in always staying like puppy coat and not changing into adult coat exactly right. There isnt that many breeds that are clipped for show and if they are not adult clips until the puppies have grown substantial coat by then imo old enough to clip the body coat. Not sure about Lowchens and PWD's they too have a different type coat like a poodle, and seem doesnt to affect it in the same way as other breeds. This is excluding clipping face, throat, feet, bums etc. I do this at any age.

Dogs that have come to me with crappy coats, one little shih tzu x in particular ALL have been skun by other groomers around the 5- 6 month mark. IMO its too early, they sill have puppy coat not to mention they were done with 10#. I guess if you are using comb attatchments though its not that bad as your only taking a little length off the coat. I dont use comb att. I dont usually find a need. Maybe I should look into getting some newies. 9 Times out of 10 First time clips I dont have a problem with, you get the odd freaked out one, but a calm firm approach gets you through. And next time they know whats going to happen and are better. Up untill now this is how I have operated, never get complaints and have a regular client base I almost cant handle, people have always been appreciative of how I groom their babies, for myself and the clients scissoring until I feel the coat is ready has always suficed. I dont think I would change my opinion greatly, but I may consider starting a little younger with att. combs if others are finding no probs.

All puppies I groom are well accustom to the process by 12 months through regular visits. Even some new customers only ring at around 12 mo of age because they were told elsewhere it shouldnt be done. 12 months of 'Cared for coat' isnt that bad. Have none of you been taught this way??, honestly im not the only person with this veiw, but apparently on this forum I may be ??

Ok Ive been grooming for quite afew years now, Why would you guys be clipping babies in the first place?? I refuse to "clip" before 12 months of age, give or take because as I was always taught and others in the industry I have spoken to all agree if you cut puppy coat it can cause irreversable damage. I have had quite a few that others have done too early and their coats have turned to crap. Even my vet warns people with little fluffies. Tidy ups yeah of course face, feet, bum, groomouts etc. But never clip unless its beyond a joke with matting and is a health issue or something. Sorry I am missing something here?? I dont see how standards can be so varied for experienced groomers..

They get sticky and goupy dont they!! You should get a groomer if you are not confident do cut away the hair from the corners of the eye. It will stop the gooey build up they can get. If its one whos eyes weep quite a bit you will have to regualy clean the area to avoid a yeast type build up. I just suggest salty water. Other than that use a genle shampoo maybe a puppy one if you are worried about it accidently getting in the dogs eyes. Wash the beard with it too, thats fine. Get right in there are scrub away with a wash cloth and a comb if nessisary, you cant do any damage. Always make sure to groom out your dog when dry after a bath, if you dont it the quickest way to matting.

Most shampoos that are suitable to use in a Hydrobath you dont need to rinse off. Because the ratio to water is entirly different there really shouldn't be much soap if hardly any left by the time you have squeezed off all the water. Unless its causing dandruff before a show or something it wont hurt to do it this way.

Evening Primrose Shampoo from Groomers http://www.groomersproducts.com.au Has been proven to cure skin conditions even Cortisone struggles with. Its absolutly brilliant, you cant beat it.

You could also try Claratine, Zyrtec tablets, Polaramine etc... They are very responsive on dogs as well as us two legged variety. They are safe and will work fairly quicky. You just need to work out the right dose for your dog. Another thing you could do is dip the feet in Metho and let dry. It dries out the moist skin that is no doubt harbouring yeast and other yuk bacterior. I know it sounds scary but its ok.

Hi WestieMum, No worries, Glad it fixed your problem. Its pretty awsome stuff. I think its better than any other product on the market in reguards to allergies and itchies. Only too glad to help.

A good strip out with a Coat King will most likley benefit you. A regular Hydrobath and blowdry will help too.

A lady that brings her dog to be clipped off once a year has the same problem, the last two years running. She has bought the dog (farm dog, so doesnt get much attention) and as soon as I got near the dog I could smell it had open flesh..somewhere. And sure enough Anal Glands AGAIN!! Both times they had got that swollen they had ruptured and she had two massive holes either side of her anus. And I mean big and deep. Wosrt ive ever seen. And these are the only times she has had this problem? I put it down too ageing??? As far as I know not much else has changed over the years. I havent as yet found out what the vet said but last time it wasnt much, just dosed her up on Antibiotics and see ya later. IMO not enough done, is expressing the gland regually on its own enough to prevent a reoccurance??

Dogs should be groomed from babies YES!!!! Its essential. But as for clipping the body coat, it should not be done till the dog is around 12 months, as the coat can be damaged. I wont clip puppies for this reason. I was taught this way and every decent groomer I know or even your vet will tell you this.

And for starters the dog is too young to be clipped!! Sorry but dealing with people who have no idea about grooming requirements of their breed of dog makes me angry. I swear sometimes its like talking to a brick wall. Why do people think because their dog is panting it needs to be clipped Do you need to walk around naked because you sweat??

To improve the coat and skin I use GROOMERS EVENING PRIMROSE OIL Shampoo. Its got no nasty chemicals and can reverse skin coditions that dogs are on quartersone for, in other words its pretty good stuff!! They also make Royal Jelly Shampoo, for coat growth. Id get your groomer to do a nice 4# or 5# if not too matted all over, no skirt, just untill the skin and coat settle. As for diet I use and reccomend Eagle Pack, Fantastic!!

I'd also be talking to a few really experienced Newf breeders and get their input on this behaviour, which is obviously quite concearning for you. As it should you sound like a very responsible owner. Unfortunantly not all Newfs have the laid back, sweet, gentle nature they should. I say this because of first hand knowledge. Some lines appear to be having temprement Issues. Im not saying this to be a know it all or to scare you, I really feel for you but ive just seen the worst happen. Im sure with the correct guidance you can coorct the problem