Blue Fox 001

Thanks Erny, I had a look but could only find books. Perhaps I am looking in the wrong place Not to matter I will just put one together myself

I have a basic first aid kit for the dog, which is pretty much a human one with a few extras, but it is getting quite low on supplies so I thought I might either buy or put together myself a really good one. Plus we had a nasty surprise a few nights ago when a friends dog ate some snail bait and I didn't have any charcoal tablets, dog survived and is recovering OK. So was wondering if anyone can recommend a pretty good one I can buy ready made and then just add any extras I think we need? I have googled and can't find anything I really liked. OR can anyone suggest a list of things and a good online store or maybe I can get most of it from the local chemist. Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

Some of their practices are entirely too barbaric for my tastes. Each to their own but if I was a breeder I don't think I would send my puppies over there. The coloured poodles were gorgeous as only a poodle can be ;) They were beautifully groomed and the colours so vivid. I'm with you clyde - some of the half wits that bring their matted messes into our shop could certainly take a leaf out of their book!

Hi Eliza Jane don't have any suggestions for you, luckily our boy chews quietly through just about anything we give him. I just wanted to say come visit in the poodle thread and post us some pics of your gorgeous boy

I have a Double K force dryer which I use on everything from 8 week old shihs (one motor) to full grown german shepherds (two motors and the condensor nozzle). The hose is quite long so the noise is further away from the dog and apart from the very very timid ones I haven't had any problems. Pretty good price too - think I paid $450 a couple of years ago

Shells I bought a little cordless Arco Moser to do face, feet and tail and it is really good for us beginners. It is quieter, lighter, doesn't seem to heat up as much and without the cord more manouverable than a full clipper. You couldn't do a full body clip with it but for touch ups and f,f & t I love it. It only has one blade (not interchangable with other clippers) but you can choose to cut with either a #9, #10, #15, #30 or #40. Originally I was told the blades couldn't be resharpened but did find a place who was happy to give it a go and they were brilliant.

That wouldn't be so bad, IMO. I'd love it if kennels would see their way to accepting Titre tests as an alternative to mandatory annual vaccination. I accept titre tests at my kennel...... now that the AVA has accepted it. We do too, although in the past 18 months have never had anyone ask!

I must be a bad person cause I love the look of his ears Not that I would ever do it or condone it, but gosh he is so beautiful and I think his cropped ears just enhance his handsome face. Ohh and gorgeous colour too

Ihave used the Plush Puppy Sunshade, probably not as religiously as I should have but I thought it was quite good

Added to our website already, along with the "I Rescued a Human Today" one - another tear jerker Thanks for sharing.

At least I don't have makeup on today, yesterday I read the thread about 'one dog' before I went to work, had to go and wipe the black running mascara from under my eyes It is wonderful, do we know where it comes from? I would like to use it on my website and in our next brochure.

Yep that's the T dog in my banner, he is a beautiful boy both in looks and nature, we love him very much I still have some doozy days. A few weeks ago I tried clipping his neck while he was laying down, I know this is a no no but I thought I'd just follow the existing line and quickly whip it off while he was laying quietly. When he stood up I had taken a heap more that I wanted too and he looks lopside but it'll grow back, and his long ears cover it fairly well so at least I don't have to look at my mistake everyday I really enjoy grooming him, I like the time we spend just me and him, and grooming gives me a bit of a creative release.

I'm with you Benny and Bella, bit of a shampoo nut, well any type of dog product really but I think I have narrowed it down to Plush Puppy or Groomers. Love to mix and match for the final rinse too

Aren't they nice . Like showdog said if you can get a professional to clip them up for you and show you how (good onya Christina) it is much easier to try and follow the lines while your learning. Unfortunately I don't have anyone for about 800km so T has to put up with what he gets so many times I have thought 'gee I wish we were closer to T's breeder so she could fix up my mistakes'

Don't be put off of boarding kennels from one experience Pete.the.dog - some of us are actually very good I don't think that your expectations were too high at all, but a smaller, more personalised kennel may be what your after. I have just been down to kiss the dogs good night, give those who have bones their bones, turn on the canine lullabies and turn their lights off. We take note of every dogs behaviour. Obviously if the dog is only staying a day or two you wouldn't know their normal behaviour, but you can let the owner know how the dog has behaved while staying. I would think any good kennel owner can tell a nervous dog from a happy, outgoing dog! The owner should know this so that they can make an informed decision about boarding their dog next time. I have told people that their dog is not suitable for boarding, and would be better left with friends as they were so stressed by their stay that it is not in the dogs best interest to be boarded. This is not a reflection on our kennel or our love and attention - the dog is a nervous type and the woners need to know that this is how the dog reacts to kenneling. Yes some dogs may loose weight, but the kennels should be making every effort to ensure the weight loss is minimal and making a note of this eg. Pete didn't eat on the first day, we tried chicken meat, warmed dog roll etc.. and tell you that when you pick him up. Grooming may be an extra fee but once again the kennel should tell you this when you drop the dog off. We send dogs home in as good a condition if not better than when they are dropped off. You have entrusted the care of your dog to someone else, if they believe grooming will be require during the dogs stay to be able to retun him in the same condition (and that is an extra) then they need to tell you this. We do charge by the day including day of drop off and day of pick up if not picked up before 10am. Same as others have said we need to care for your dog everyday he is here with us and therefore you pay for that time, attention, expertise. I think though that if you had been happy with the service you wouldn't even mention the price. Perhaps just a little more information from the kennel when you dropped him off would have short circuited the Sunday problem. Does seem a tad steep to charge for the day when you had no option but to pick up Sunday afternoon, although again if they had told you this you would have been prepared or made arrangements to get him Saturday. Anyway I could go on all night but I need to get some sleep so I can get up and look after our boarders tomorrow

Hi Zug Zug - the DIY Dog Grooming dvd from Doggy Dooz (Edition 1) is quite good. It show how too and explains tools, gives tips on what to watch out for (problem areas) and is aimed at the pet groomer so no show clips. It has Bichon and Poodle clips, along with Shihs and Schnauzers and some others too. Once you know the possible problem areas and how to work around them you can have a go with a bit more confidence. I am self taught and have learnt a lot over the past 18 months just by doing, reading and watching everything I can get my hands on. My boy has had some 'bad hair days' but he doesn't mind, I learn and as they say it grows back and you can have another go When you can get some clippers I like the Wahl ones for a good cheap clipper. I wouldn't worry about the 2 speed version, I only ever used the one speed so figure it's not worth paying more for a second speed you probably won't use. The faster the clipper the quicker it heats ups and when I was learning it took a long time to clip "T", mostly cause I spent a lot of time thinking about what to do and waiting for the dog to be still cause I was scared that I would hurt him if everything wasn't just right when I finally got the clippers on him Anyway please feel free to ask as many questions as you like, I have a newbie perspective but there are a lot of very experienced groomers on here, they have helped me so much with tips and tricks and REASSURANCE

The head on my hydrobath has a trigger nozzle so I can vary the pressure so will do pups of any age. When we got our standard poodle he got a bath at 9 weeks and I recently bathed a shih pup at 8 weeks Persoanlly I think if it's a clippable breed you should start as soon as possible. Hydrobaths can be noisy and the sensation a bit strange at first, so it makes things easier for the pup and the groomer (whether that's you or you take the pup to a salon) if started early.

When T cut the tendon in his front leg the vets imobilised it for 14 days and he couldn't get up the stairs to sleep with us and was too big to carry anymore SO Mine and the T dog's bed under the stairs for a few weeks

When we had two (RIP my Locky ) we used the double ended lead. Locky was very well behaved and would wait when asked so the pup could catch up if he was lagging behind. Sometimes we had seperate leads and depending on where they sorted themselves it could be one on either side or both on the one side

I can second the seabreeze oil, we also use it on our poo as a final rinse along with a few other plush puppy products. I also really like Plush Puppy's Reviva Coat (comes in a mousse) and the Coat Rescue.

We fed our GSD on Bonnie working dog, it was the only thing which would put on and keep the weight on him. Our standard poodle is also on a mix of working dog and puppy now. If I feel he is looking a bit slim he has a few days of straight puppy (he's nearing 18 months old now). Have never used it as a whole diet, they have mostly raw, but we have had nothing but success with Bonnie.

I have been giving "Greenies" to my two recently. They don't last days but will last most of the day, and they are loaded with vitamins and minerals, suppose to help clean their teeth and the boys absolutely love them.

Glad you posted clyde I was thinking how cheap that was too! I wouldn't even bath and towel dry a BC for $27 I prefer to spend the time and effort, dry and brush out thoroughly, yes it takes a lot of extra time and the client has to pay but the end result is great. Love doing the BC's they always look so fluffy and white when they're finished. I bought my hydrobath from Perfect Paws in WA, about 18 months ago, and it has been fantastic. It is a twin tub and was about $2300 I think with the stand and a few extras eg. more tie points, heater cut out thingy etc.. so a single tank would be cheaper again.

Ohh my ellz that transformation is absolutely amazing and gorgeous - you are a wizard Sorry back to the topic but that really is spectacular - my standard poo has had his whiskers clipped weeky or at the outside fortnightly since he was a baby. I wonder if they have never had whiskas if they simply learn to do without cause he certainly never has had any problems - just thought I'd throw that out there!

Just in case anyone was wondering I thought I would give you an update on the dog. By the next morning he was back to his normal self, no vomiting and so much happier, no lethargy at all. I rang the treating vet but unfortunately she had gone on leave, so rang the next clsoest vet and they suggested an alternative (amoxycillan) and some pain killers (meloxicam I think) which I could get from the chemist. Dog was happy and healing when he went home Monday so a good result.