becks

One of the best bits of advise I got when starting out in grooming was to read the breed standards and to go to shows and look at all the breeds and how they are presented. Knowing how a breed should look means that you can then keep the look even when doing a pet trim. I have seen lots of photos that groomers have displayed, particularly on Facebook where the dogs may look neat and tidy but the actual groom for the breed is way off base. I have had owners come to me who know their dog doesn't look right but as they don't know the breed in depth, can't say why it isn't right but they can see the difference after I have 'fixed' the previous groom. That said, sometimes the owners don't help! When discussing with a spaniel owner how they wanted their pup to be trimmed, they brought out a breed book and pointed to a picture of an American Cocker in full coat. I had to tell them it wasn't possible as they owned an English Cocker - of course the book they had was american and just called the breed a cocker! lol

What makes is 'urban' mushing? It makes me think you go down the high street on one of those bkie style sleds.

It could be she is just peeing when overexcited, one of my minis did this and by the time she was several months old she had grown out of it. I would refrain from desexing her until this is settled.

It can depend on the breed and temperament to some degree. What do you call 'constantly'? Could she have a bladder infection?

Yes, there will be several DVDs out there on how to groom a Westie - there are a few different series and often breeders in various counries will have done their own too. Pups, I just use a latex glove as you can feel how much hair you are pulling and have better grip on the hair (you can also buy just the fingers, often knicknamed finger condoms!!) It is best to work over a larger area then concentrate on one small patch as that can lead to sore skin.

I would just worm him when he is next due, unless you think he has worms.

This is an excellent chart CaptainCourageous - obviously done on the computer - where can I get this or similar from? ;) You could do something like that in Excel

and telling people doesn't then mean you can walk your bitch wherever you like around the show! I've been lucky with my males and they have shown the same BUT a friend has a male who goes to pieces when there are bitches in season, at one champ show he was surrounded by 3 of them. The poor dog couldn't settle in or out of the ring and these bitch owners wasted the entry fee of the dog owner.

Some people love the coat kings but I personally won't use anything with a sharp blade on a stripped coat. When you buy a stripping knife (the Mikki blue and red are good to use and a reasonable price) make sure you blunt up the machined edge, so you don't accidentally cut the coat as you try to pull it. Loose chalk can also help to give you a good grip on the coat. Once the pups coat is starting to come out easily (a few hairs at a time) you can start to remove the coat. I tend to work on young pups while they are on my knee in the evening, then when the bulk is done they will get a few sessions on the table to work on the more hard to reach places.

Shave off is just what it sounds like, taken right off, usually with a 10 or 7F - all the hair is clipped off the same length without any extra styling except for trimming under the feet/plucking ears

I work under a slightly different system (ie breeders here don't need to go through geting an affix to be able to register a litter) 1. Bitch must be KC registered without endorsement (main reg to you!) 2. Must have current and clear eye test certificate 3. Must send me pedigree (5 gen) so I can check for dogs who are known to carry eye problems or any other health/temperament probs) 4. I prefer to see the bitch or at least some good photos to see if my boy will do anything to produce good quality pups 5. Bitch owner must be someone I can work with - to see how pups turn out and to trust them to endorse any pet pups they sell on. etc I turn away about 50% of those who have asked about my boys. Saying 'approved bitches' gives bitch owners the idea that they could be turned down, even then I have had one experience with someone who got very abusive when I turned them down (even though they had repeatedly not sent pedigree and eye test details after being asked on several occasions). They refused to accept my reasons and decided it was because my dog wasn't up to the job! lol

I find this comes off clients dogs when they have a soak in the bath and then the bits can be teased off with a fine comb (moving away from the eyes) once the goop is softer.

I need to move to austalia! You all charge a lot more then we get over here. For a malt it would be about $35 for the full works.

looks like a cairn x border t cross to me

A plastic dog basket can be used as a box for the mum and litter and with the rolled over edges, it isn't going to hurt the pup if it is still attached when mum leaves. Also really easy to clean

This concerns me So they have bred a dog affected by PRA? OK they have been open about pups being carriers BUT......

A friend lost the end joint of a finger while trying to get a ball out of her dogs throat (dog caught the ball thrown for the smaller dog and not his own). Sadly the dog died.

Have you got an electrolite drink to give her? These are much better then water when the weather is hot.

Does anyone train their dogs to mate on a table?

Sorry you lost the litter Mastini. When my girls have lost a pup I have let them see it is dead. One girl was franic until I left the pup in the box (on the other side to mum and litter) to give her time to mourn the loss of that pup, then she was OK for me to take him away. Each dog is different, with the girls I have had that phantom, I try to have them in a normal routine but also let them get on with how they are feeling - it is a natural process afterall.

Also consider the quantity you are feeding him, think about cutting back a little, he may just be a bit overfaced with food, especially when it is available all the time.

If she passes anymore blood, insist that the vet sees her earlier, it can be very serious if left.

What about the names of winds, like Mistral, Etesian, Levanto, Sirocco etc lots to choose from if you google.

Agree with the others, it is better to try before you buy. Although most of my scissors are Roseline, they are a brand that suit the way I work and feel balanced. I also like scissors with a finger rest (preferably built in, not screwed in) and microserrated blades.