poodlefan

Hi Vehs, Are you planning a lamb clip on Dieter?

Yep, yappy I squeeze the boy's anal glands to empty them as they tend to fill up and get very smelly. It also prevents spontaneous expression of fluid at inopportune times. My old groomer did this and I've fallen into the habit. Done under running water, its no problem. Lily the toy poodle, being a lady, doesn't tend to have this issue - she doesn't have to endure this process. Ah the joys of poodle grooming - you had no idea what you'd started with this thread. Oh BTW, I do ear plucking and nails about once a week....

Harsh FHR... very harsh. Ted actually has one back leg wider than the other today.. more repairs tonight. FHR's been having a few lessons, she can clip a muzzle and the body - very handy for Vizslas and Whippets (NOT)

Clipping routines vary Rozzie, First I catch a dog... the sight of the grooming apron is enough to send two of mine into a hasty retreat. I use a 30# or a 15# blade (depending on the dog) to clip the muzzle, feet, tail (below the pom pom and around the botty) and tummy from the last rib back. I also have a toe blade which is much narrower and I use that to clip between the pads on the underside of the paw. Then its into the bath tub. Squeeze the anal glands under the running tap (eeuuu). Wash the victim in whatever shampoo is my current whim, then towel dry and onto the grooming table. I use the hose from my dryer to remove the excess water then remove the hose and brush all the hair on the body, head, legs, ears and tail straight under the dryer nozzle. I use the slicker for this. When I had a dog in show coat, all the long hair on the head and jacket was done with a pin brush as that is more gentle. Then I clip the body - blade varys on time of year and dog (I tend to have different coat lengths on different dogs for different seasons) I start behind the head pom pom which ends at the back of the ears and clip the neck down the length of the body, then I do the chest. I usually shape from the shoulders and hips down onto the legs to get an even look. Then its scissor the legs, and trim the head pom, ears and tail pom...I used both curved and straight scissors for various parts - the curved ones are great for shaping poms. Then I have a stiff drink, check out the dog and repair any obvious damage I've done!

Yappy, let me check out the slickers at GTTD and I'll recommend one if you like. I bought a Zafari? one from GTTD that is the most comfortable one I've found.. Edited to add.. its a Safari.. Here it is at GTTD. http://www.gonetothedogs.com.au/shop/produ...4&ProcessType=5 Teddy Bear might have some Cairn or Westie in him - that would explain the terrier add ons..

Howdy Yappy, That is one cute dog! He looks like he may have a brown poodle in his ancestory but I'm not sure where he got those ears! Firstly does he shed? If he doesn't, then he will never achieve "maximum fluffiness" It will just keep growing! The best item for this kind of coat (if it is non-shedding) is a "slicker brush" - go for one of the softer ones. These are also the bomb for removing burrs from coat. A metal comb (recommend half fine/half medium width) is very useful for combing out knots and longer hair. I wouldn't bother with dry shampoo - it only clogs the coat. If he gets really grubby, you can always rinse off the worst with just plain water or wash the grubby parts. I'd recommend a conditioning shampoo (Exelpet make a pretty good one if you want a supermarket one) or you could go for a brown colour enhancing one. I could bore you for hours with discussing shampoos (one symptom of a poodle tragic) but anything from Biogroom or Plush Puppy is good. Biogroom make one called "Fluffy Puppy" that is mild and adds volume to the coat. Most poodles are clipped (feet, face, tail and tummy) and washed and blow waved dry. Most people get get their poodles clipped every 6-8 weeks. I do mine myself and its more like every 2-3 weeks (another poodle tragic symptom). Happy grooming!

Harminee31 - thanks for the tip on tea tree oil - fortunately my dogs haven't had any flea issues but I'll keep it in mind. I have heard that putting tea tree oil in spray bottle with water and spraying the dog is a good way to prevent fleas. I'm actually treating my goldfish with a tea tree oil product at the moment!

Hopefully some Gold Coast DOLers can advise you on the fleas. I don't know anything about their prevalence in Queensland! Lily the toy poodle often vomited after oral heartworm treatment (I used monthly ones), and was particularly bad if that treatment coincided with a three monthly all wormer. She now has the injection but has it 6 months after her C5 vaccination with no ill effects. Hope that helps!

um.. Keirasmummy do you have a flea problem where you are or is this treatment more in the nature of a preventative one. The reason I ask is because unless you are actually finding fleas on Keira, I wouldn't bother using any flea treatment. I figure why increase the chemical load on a dog unless you really need to. I prefer to give a three monthly all wormer (Drontal) and not bother with flea treatments - to date I've never needed them. My toy poodle is sensitive to some worming products (notably oral heartwormers) but has no issues with Drontal. Even a quarter of a 10 kg dog tablet would be enough for your little girl!

Don't have a flea problem. Don't live in a tick area but use Frontline when I take the dogs into one. I use Drontal for worming and the annual jab for heartworm.

Inky, check his mouth and his ears! A smell so strong that its back after a couple of days ain't normal. Has this pup been wormed? There is nothing wrong with the shampoo you are using - think I have a bottle of that in my cupboard. How accustomed are members of your family to dogs - I know of people who think All dogs smell!

Hi Akitaowner. Your question came up during this thread. http://forums.dogzonline.com.au/index.php?showtopic=13380 My view is no onlead exercise until the pup has reached its full height (not the same as fully developed) for you that would probably be close to 12 months. This is not the same as no exercise outside the yard - with an Akita its important to get them out and about anyway. Whereever possible, exercise them off lead in safe places so that they (and not you) dictate how much they do. Short onlead walks are fine - you really want to avoid during lots of km's on concrete with growing bones.

Porterpup, is it possible for you to post of pic of your dog - a nice closeup on coat would be helpful. Sounds like you may need to reassess HOW you groom as well as your tools. If the coat is a non-shedding one, you really do need a slicker brush. As Capanash says, with a poodle type coat, you have to make sure you brush from right close the the skin rather than going 'over' the coat. I would recommend you start with the slicker and use the steel comb to tease out any matts. If they are simply too big you can cut them out. Frequency may also be an issue - how often are you brushing? If the coat is loose and wavy rather than tight, clipping it too close may not be a good thing. Clipped Cockers coats go very curly and whispy... I support the idea of a visit to a professional groomer. They can sort out the matts and recommend the right equipment and regime to keep the coat in good order. It may be that such frequent washing and an incompatible produce aren't helping and a groomer can advise you on this also.