Peachie

Good Bummer and, Good! If she is a nervous car traveller, i would put her in a crate, make it comfy for her, add some of her bedding and or toys and introduce her to it before you put it in the car. Get her well used to it inside, let her know it is her own space. Being a small dog you may get away with a soft crate. Also handy if it turns out she is nervous of thunder storms. My two dogs dive into the back seat, spread out and sleep for the duration of any trip. But that's greyhounds. You could also try a harness in the back seat. I dont like them personally, i get too distracted if they are moving around, and worrying they will get tangled. Also with two, as i have, there is the extra worry for me that they will get tangled up together. Fortunately mine behave well in the car.

You have had some good advice here. All the things i would have said. I hadnt heard the nursery rhyme one, i will try that with my girl greyhound who always gets nervy at the vet. We just changed vets too as we moved, and when we went in last week for our annual shots, i thought things may be ok but she was still stressed -but she is getting better. I try and ingnore the behaviour, and correct her when she pulls at her lead to bolt. She is well behaved tho, and will let the vet examine her (she kinda freezes as greys tend to do). Regarding her collar and lead, you must get her used to it. It is against the law to walk your dog off lead except for designated off leash areas, and you still have to get her there. If you carry her to and from the park from the car, you are opening up another whole can of worms. Practice with her in your yard with her collar and lead, with treats and high praise when she is exhibiting desired behaviour. Gently correct undesirable behaviour (bucking, pulling, whining etc). Slow and steady. just a minute at a time initially, and gradually increase it. If you are leaving her collarless because she doesnt like it, that should stop as well. Your dog should have a tagged collar on at all times, as careful as we are, they do sometimes escape. If she doesnt like the collar you have, try and find one that is as light weight as possible, and soft. Just for her to wear around your home. If it isnt strong enough for walking, then get another one for those occasions where you leave the house. Pups are fast learners, she will pick it up. I would also not be allowing her to sit on your lap in the car. It will just cause her to think she is higher up in your 'pack' than she should be. same with carrying her around. And certainly dont pick her up when another dog approaches. Always be calm and assertive, and strive for her to be calm and submissive. I am glad you asked advice on here, there is a wealth of knowledge here, and with the right training, you will have a very well rounded dog. Good luck

I think over 3 years and two greys, we have lost around 5 toenails from 'zoomies'. All have healed fine. The first time was pulled right out at the quick so we went to the vet and got antibiotics etc. since then we have just bathed regularly and applied antiseptic and kept a close eye on them, and watched for infection smells. All have been fine. They do bleed a lot tho dont they. One time, i didnt even know my boy had done it, no yelp or anything, just pools of blood on the kitchen floor when he was waiting for anything i could spare from preparing dinner.... obviously dinner was late that day, and Jefferson was pee'd off as he didnt get any titbits, rather he had to stand with one foot in a bowl of salted water for 5 mins... and he is a boy who HATES getting his feet wet. I'm glad your girl is ok, it is more stressfull for us i think than them sometimes.

Thanks guys. I will probably go with Asquith, as they are a stones throw away, but i will definately look into the greyhound specialists in other areas. I dont mind driving if it is important to see somebody very experienced with them. Fortunately our old vet worked with greys out in western sydney for many years. He saved my boys leg a few months ago, so you can see how sad i am to be leaving them. Thanks again.

Thanks Dogmad. I will check them all out. I am sure they wont have a problem with me 'interviewing' them. Cheers!!

We have just moved to "the country" as my partner says.... Really, we are in Asquith, 5 mins from Hornsby, but it is indeed very 'bushy'. Just wondering if anybody has any good recommendations for our new vet. The people i have met at the dog park have mentioned that Asquith Vet is a good one. I dont know any others around, actually i had never even been to Asquith before coming to look at this house for a rental. The dog park across the road sold it for me, fortunately, the house is gorgeous as well.... The vet must be experienced with greyhounds, they have specific needs as far as general anaesthetics go, heaven forbid one should be required. I am really sad to say goodbye to VetFriends in Chatswood, they looked after our guys beautifully and always got us in immediately for emergencies. I havent enough good things to say about them. I only hope i can find another one as good. I want to find the best around before something happens and it becomes an emergency and i have to use whoever i can find in the yellow pages. Thanks in advance.

I think you will probably get some referrals from here, but you are doing the right thing. Ring around all the vets in your area, ask what would be a good time to pop in for 5 mins chat with the vet as you are choosing one for your dog and want to know who will be attending to him should something happen (heaven forbid). "Interview" them, and see which one you like best. Of course, experience is a factor, but generally, i wouldnt let anybody touch my dogs if i didnt get a good vibe from them. Take your dog with you as well, and watch the interaction.

"Jasper has a really hard time getting down to his bowl because of his hip dysplasia its really hard watching him eat because you can see how uncomfortable he is." That would decide it for me. I would raise it up to a comfortable height for him. If it is dry food and he scoffs it now it is comfortable to eat, just fill the bowl up with water over the kibble - he has to drink to eat the food, which will slow him down. I've always fed our greys on chairs inside, and they have their breakfast outside with their bowls on a step, and they stand on the ground - the step isnt as high as the chair, but i have been planning to get my partner to make up some nice wooden raised feeders for the houndies.

Assuming you are talking about the Keeshond in your pic, first, as suggested i would have gone right back to the groomers and checked what they used. Also that they rinse thouroughly between baths (tho they will say of course they do), tell them the problem. Another thought i had is perhaps they went too hard with the slicker - that can scratch up the skin. Just yesterday i was brushing out a very knotty pair of cavalier ears, at the ends, and the slicker kept hitting my inside forearm - i have a few scratches and a rash from that. (dogs ears are fine, they were too thick for the slicker to get to the skin. IF it was me (the groomer) i would offer to instantly rewash her in your choice of shampoo. Obviously the aloveen works best for you - take yours along in case they dont use it. The rashes you mentioned in your last post could be either an allergy to the shampoo, or as mentioned above, too heavy handed with the slicker. I know this post is a couple of days old, how is she now? Did the groomers wash her again in aloveen for you?

My dryer is a liberty, which has served me well for 7 years, and it was 2 yrs old when i got it with my business. I have retired it now, not that there was anything wrong with it, for one i got on ebay with a narrower nozzle, which works faster for me. Cost around $250. There are others on ebay atm, i just looked. Am about to go into a heated oldfield, when i get my new business started in a few weeks. Not sure how it will go but have heard good things, and some bad. Fingers crossed mine isnt a dud.

If you smooth the hair back above her tail backwards, so you can see the skin, look out for any tiny black dots - that would be flea dirt. Also turn her over and look at her tummy and under the base of their tail - that's where the fleas like to hang out. If she doesnt have fleas, and loves rolling in the grass, it may be an allergy. Check the spots she loves to roll and see if you have any wandering dew - some dogs can be really allergic to it. You can pretty much wash her whenever she needs it. If you are doing it frequently - as in, more than monthly, keep a close eye on her skin, if it gets dry or irritated then decrease the frequency. Just use a very gentle DOG shampoo - perhaps aloveen or similar, as the oatmeal and other ingredients are soothing.

My blue fawn greyhound (cream colour - lighter than the average lab) girl loves to roll in the grass on mowing day - she will do it before, and zoom around during mowing (yes, we are careful about her getting too close and being out of the way of the back), then she adores a good roll after it is cut. Of course, that is when she gets green. I usually dont worry as we dont show, and she loves it - but from memory it tends to just wear off. I would just wash him in ordinary dog shampoo and see if it works - get some full strength on your hand and lather it in to the green bits. If that doesnt work well, go for the whitening shampoos. If you are anywhere in the northern beaches - up to forest area, pm me - i might be able to help - and as an assistant dog he can have a freebie.

Poodle, dont know if it was me he loved or the bath.... i think both. I just thought it was hilarious as he was not hydrobathed regularly, and i had only been there with my trailer twice before, and more than 3 years before. He is a funny character - definately loved his life to the full. Jules, i have several regulars like that - mostly labs - they just dive in and wait for their tub. MM - i would have a slicker brush handy and just run it through his ears daily to ensure no knots start up. After eating and drinking of course, but you seem to have that nailed with the bobble. Any other long bits, feathering on legs and his tail, just keep up with the brushing with a slicker and you should be fine. It's way more than some of my clients do... I guess their presumption is that since they pay me once a month or whatever, they dont need to brush them in between... ah well. Good on you for taking the little fella on.

Turned up to wash a newfy today, beautiful big black boy called Sampson. He is about 4 yrs old and they rarely wash him as they dont feel it is good for him. Meaning, he hasnt had very many hydrobaths. I washed him a couple of times when he was about 11 - 12 months old, and he was very lively, tho a pretty well behaved boy. Anyway, i pulled up, opened the back of the trailer, and in front of the gate to my hydrobath was a big storage container holding my blow dryer, i dont have it mounted to the trailer as on rainy days i can move my 'drying station' into a garage (nothing worse than trying to blow dry a dog in the rain..... kinda doesnt work). So Sampson comes charging down to the trailer, remember i havent seen him for over 3 years, and dives headlong into the bath - over the back step of the trailer and large storage container and just sat there. I wasnt even ready for him. He wasnt moving until he had had his bath. I hadnt even said hello to him let alone 'come on boy, into the tub'. It was hilarious. He stood quietly for me for his tub, which he thoroughly enjoyed, and then stood on the back step of the trailer for his blow dry without even a murmer. Of course, when i got his 'good dog biscuit' out of the container, all bets were off and i got newfy cuddles aplenty - complete with front paws around my shoulders and slobbery kisses to boot. I have to say it was a lovely way to end the working week - covered in newfy slobbery biscuit crumbs and a big smile on my face. Gotta love those big hairy beasts!!!

Shame you arent in sydney, i have just bought a new one and kept the old liberty as a backup which i would have happily loaned you. Perhaps try some of the mobile dog groomers in your area, there may be one who may hire or loan you one on their day off or something. If not, check out ebay - my new one was under $250. Not a bad price and has so far proved to be a really good dryer.

It really depends on the dog. I would start, as 4paws said, at monthly, and see how it goes from there. You may find he needs it ever 3 or 6 weeks. If you give him a good blow dry (assuming the diy place has blow drying facilities) the was should last longer than if you just chamois/towel dry him.

All i can say is..... WE TOLD YOU SO! It is our little spook's 3rd birthday today. They are both having a banana muffin with whipped cream on top, and some fancy doggie biscuits - and of course, a stuffy toy for the birthday girl.

Katie, i dont really use msn at all anymore. So i may not show up. Best way to get me is by pm, or can email. As far as the trailer, yes, it had it's moments in the beginning. But hazard lights are a wonderful invention. As long as you try your best not to hold up traffic for too long, and dont stress about it (it makes it worse), it does become second nature. Most people are polite enough to wait, and those who are rude and impatient, well, they can just wait. That is the hardest bit, worrying about other cars and holding them up - If you appear to be doing your best to get in as quickly and safely as you can, that is all that matters. I agree with what Jules said about being nervous about new clients the first time you go, not knowing what the area is like. Doesnt bother me at all anymore, i have a lot of sticky driveways, once you have done them a few times, they become a lot easier. I dont think i ever had to take the trailer off, but i do a lot of back and forthing sometimes. It's really not that bad. My best tip, if you think it is going to be difficult, reverse in the first time - if you can reverse in, you can certainly drive out. Same goes for the reverse, but only if you are confident - which of course, comes with time. It does become second nature (well, for me anyway)

Definately go and try and get some work experience at a salon, see if you really like it enough to make it a career. As far as franchises, you get out what you put in. Sure, you have a formula to follow, but you also have the support when you run into difficulties. Do your research, find one that suits you best. I have a mobile franchise, have had it for almost 7 years now. I loved it at the beginning, and then went through a stage of 'i could do this myself and not have to pay royalties etc. I seriously considered going out on my own for a while there, and am now very glad i didnt. I have completely changed my way of thinking. The system is a good one, in my opinion. They have been around for about 20 years, and have a good reputation. The core business is washing dogs, but some operators can now offer basic grooming if they so choose. I dont have to worry about constantly marketing the business, the advertising program in place is a good one. Priority yellow pages listing is well worth my advertising levy. I love this job, my hours are flexible and would highly recommend it to anybody who is passionate about dogs. The franchise support is great, any problems you have day to day are resolved as soon as possible, the national advertising is very good, i get around 5-8 new enquiries each week. Over half of these go on to book a regular appointment. I often get calls from people who have used a different operator (of my franchise), and have moved into my area, and like the fact that the service is to the same standard, and that we use the same shampoos and solutions across the board. Yes, you do need to adhere to the franchise standards, but that only benefits the business and the brand name. My franchisors dont necessarily 'breathe down your neck', but are there if you need help. If i was starting out again, i would do it exactly the same way. Feel free to pm me if you would like more info on my particular franchise.

My neighbour, a dog trainer, has a rescue lagotto, who she had desexed last year, and at the same time had her front dews removed. From what is saw and was told, it didnt bother a bit. She had her 'wrists' bandaged for a week with vetwrap and had no ill effects. She was a nutcase before and still is.... I would imagine that Atlas would probably not leave his bandages alone, but it can be done. If i had a large/heavy dog as a pup i would definitely consider having them removed when desexing. For fluffies (i know a bit OT), i have seen so many dews, front and back, grown so long they turn around and go into the pad. It has taken me up to half an hour to carefully trim away some nails on some doggie clients. They are particularly prone to having problems if not trimmed regularly. Especially the back legs on fluffy mixes. I tell clients with these types of dogs, if they arent going to get me in every couple of weeks to trim them, or trim them themselves, then they should consider having them removed. Loads of large dogs i wash have front dews removed, seemingly with no ill effects. If, heaven forbid, my retired greys had to go under for any reason, i would consider having their dews removed. Man they can hurt.....

Espinay, as mentioned, i have done free blow dries several times in the past. I dont think they realise what a difference it will make doing it one off. We shall see what happens after i talk with them next week. Poodle, i hear ya.... do i what. I have always been the one with the problem with putting prices up, charging what i am worth etc. More recently tho, i am very much more stick to my guns than i used to be. I am very 'calm assertive' with my clients and with their dogs. (yes, i have been watching dog whisperer - i dont take what he says as gospel, however i have picked up a lot from him). If i cant do what they require for their dog in the grooming area (only do basic stuff) then i will tell them straight off, and with new clients with fluffies, noodles or dogs that i know need a blow dry for the best result, i factor it into the original price.

I know what you are saying Poodle, however i feel that if i dont do it, they are only going to get somebody else to do it. As i have learned from this thread, Woolmix isnt a good product to wash a dog in. I hadnt known that it was harmfull before, and havent seen this client since then (due next week). I will definately be talking to them and i think they will probably discontinue having me use woomix. This will bring back the other issue of him getting smelly shortly after a bath, which will allow me to bring up the blow drying suggestion/solution. I honestly feel this was the problem in the first place. If i explain it to them properly, and approach it tactfully, i think they will agree that the dog really needs to be blow dried. The other benefit, to them, is that i can get a really good look at his skin by blow drying him, as well as the obvious benefit of getting rid of extra hair. They do brush him regularly, however as we all know, nothing works as well as a good blow drier on that type of coat. My client base is certainly big enough to drop this one client, but i do care about the dog, if i am doing him i can be sure that if any issues arise they will be told about it. To be honest i have just let it go till now, but if that woolmix is causing irreparable damage, then it is time i talked with them about his wellbeing. I have suggested blow drying so many times, and perhaps they thought i just wanted to raise the price. It isnt an easy job, he doesnt really love his bath, and is not happy about the blow dryer on the occasions i have done it, but he will get used to it. The easy option yes, would be to say no and drop the client, but they are a long term client, i washed their previous dog, and they like the job i do (and of course, they are nice people). Now i can go to them with a definitive reason not to use WM, and as to why he should be blow dried. IF they then say no, keep using the woomix and we dont want him dried, i will consider dropping them. (love to see somebody else put up with this dog's antics....) Thanks for that tho Poodle, has given me something to think about. I will let you know how it turns out next week.

Interesting about Woolmix. The only other rough collie i wash as a regular client has me wash him in woolmix. They decided they wanted him done in it when they saw a neighbour washing their dog in woolmix. Unfortunately this client, a long term one, doesnt wish to pay extra for a blow dry - dont start on this one, i have told them time and time again that he should be blow dried. Apparently he would get smelly very shortly after a bath using other shampoos, but with the woolmix this doesnt happen. Re the blow drying, i have given them a very low price compared to the time it would take to blow him dry, but they still dont want to do it. I think i definately need to have a talk with them. I have always felt that blowdrying this boy would have solved the getting smelly issue. I usually do him about every 3 weeks - just a wash and towel dry (as much as you can towel dry a roughie) At the end of the day, i could easily do a free blow dry for him, but the value of it wouldnt be appreciated, and i know they can afford to pay extra (several new very expensive new cars in the last year). IT isnt that they dont adore this dog, they take him to the vet at the drop of a hat if he needs it, and he is spoiled. If i thought they couldnt afford the extra to blow dry him i would probably do it for free, but at the end of the day,it is a business, i have to make a living, and the time it would take me to blow him dry i could easily wash another two dogs. I guess i could suggest dropping him back to 4 weekly and doing the blowdry - which would ultimately save them money in vet fees and dog distress in the long run... (actually, i have in fact done a free blow dry on several occasions and they havent even commented) Perhaps a letter stating the facts as i know them will do the trick. Thanks again for the insight

You mean your clients actually realise they have fleas before they call you? Mine never seem to know! Or at least pretend they didn't know Good point... yeah, some of them actually know beforehand....

Same here Warley - any more than that and my two gain weight. My OH tends to give them a little more if he feeds them, but i fed them most of the time and they get a full cup (not leveled off) morning and night. If they get a fresh roo tail, that is a meal - no dry. But the tails fill them up - you should see the contented round bellies on em after they have demolished one.