Peachie

I dont even do that..... I refer them to a vet if asked - just in case there is an infection or something. But yeah, it would be a great one to add as i am sure a lot of grooming salons do it as part of 'the service'. Couldnt bring myself to do it tho. Eye boogers, daggy bums, gross ears, even ingrown dew claws - not a problem, but i wouldnt touch an anal gland for any amount of money. Shmoo, didnt know that about nits and hairdressers - makes sense tho. And yes, if we said that about fleas and ticks, well, we would all be broke - that's how i get a lot of my clientèle in the first place as i am sure you do!

Good grief! How tall are your guys??? My boy is about medium size for a male and barely hits 30kg. He looks good - we think. He looks like a racer - you can see his defined muscles, ribs and a few back bones. IMO how they are meant to look. ( have seen an overweight greyhound - can see no bones at all - it looked so wrong) My girl is admittedly small for a female, and weighs in at between 21 & 22kg. Same condition as my boy. Your two must be very tall! My two get a cup and a half of eukanuba morning and night, plus leftovers if they are lucky. Also get chicken necks and roo tails occasionally. Euk is the only think i have found that doesnt go right through them - have tried all the expensive dry brands.

I am sure we could come up with a hundred of them Hairdresser doesn't have to physically lift you into the chair when you dont really feel like it. Hairdresser doesnt have to carefully cut around hotspots and skin infections due to matting. (that goes with the non brushing one) Definitely the flea one - but then i guess hairdressers get to deal with nits sometimes. Great find Shmoo - i think i will stick it on my trailer as well

Yeah, well he said he wanted to get some 'really good expensive shampoo & conditioner'. That's what he got - i think he liked the smell. Shmoo, i get what you are saying, and agree. However, the customer always comes first, if he didnt pay me to do it he would pay somebody else, and at least i can watch the dog's coat closely and ask constantly about other effects - itching etc. As mentioned in my original post, his coat really seems to be nicer with the human shampoo - i will watch with interest to see if it lasts. Thanks again all. Off to research the ingredients of treseme

Thanks for that. I appreciate all the comments.

I am looking for reasons, medical or scientific, as to why dogs need to be bathed in dog shampoo and not human shampoo. As a kid we always used human shampoo on our dogs on the rare occasion they got a bath (working dogs mainly). Reason is that i have a client, one of my 'A' clients - a rough collie who is bathed/groomed/blow dried every week. His owner takes him to the office each day, so he needs to be clean as clients often visit. It also eliminates dropping hair (so far). Recently my client, who totally dotes on this dog, said that for a nice treat he was going to buy some expensive human shampoo and conditioner, and said could i use it - "use the whole bottle if you need to". I said that really, dogs shoudl be done in dog shampoo, and there were shampoos available with matching conditioners (Squirtz, Aloveen), but no, he wanted the 'good stuff'. I had no actual medical or scientific reason not to do so, and he requested it so for the last three weeks Bob has been washed in Treseme shampoo and conditioner. Takes a lot longer to rinse out, and i fully rinse him between shampoo, conditioner and after. Having had doubts in the beginning, i have to say that his coat is stunning, shinier and moves beatifully when he walks/runs. It seems faster to blow dry, and less knots when drying. It feels wonderful, and smells divine. I have been keeping a close eye on his skin, and asking each time if he has been itchy or scratching more, which he hasnt. His owner loves the 'new' shampoo and so i will be continuing to use it. Of course, i have to raise his price to about double for all the extra time and rinsing required, which he is fine with. So, my question again is, is there a medical, health or scientific reason as to why dogs shouldnt be bathed in human dog shampoo and conditioner. After racking my brain initially all i could come up with is that dog hair and human hair is different and needs different shampoos. But that is just what i had known/been told. After seeing the results, if he were my dog i would probably continue using the tresseme shampoo. And of course, i will continue to monitor Bob's skin and coat condition. Although welcome, i am not really after opinions, but actual facts as to why this could harm Bob. I do realise also that once a week may be a bit too often to wash him, but again, i have been keeping a good eye on his skin and condition, and all is fine, his skin is great, not dry at all, and his coat is ideal. He is almost a year old and has been washed weeky since 4 months old. Thanks all

Colouroflies, you cant get away with this.... You cant go telling us all about how fabulous your greyhound looks without posting a picture!! SHeesh.... you could be banned from DOL for stunts like that!!!!! But really, good on you. it's a great feeling isnt it.

Last time i got my blades sharpened i used Complete Cutting Solutions in ACT www.completecuttingsolutions.com.au I was very happy with the service, turnaround and quality of their work. Talking to them they seem to take a lot of pride in their work. They also service clippers, i will be sending mine up shortly. Prices are good also. I have used another company, i wont mention their names here as they are well known. I sent them about 5 blades, the service was brilliant, but i could not use even one of the blades. Complete Cutting Solutions fixed them all for me - they told me they were poorly realigned or something.

I have an Aussie Pooch Mobile. Our core business is washing, but some operators now do basic clipping - summer clips etc. I have a handful of clients who's dogs i regularly clip, but i don't advertise that i do it. I can do a nice clip, but i don't do breed clips, or fancy clips. I am not really interested in that as it takes me a lot longer for less money. I can earn a lot more money doing a wash/blow dry. When i work it out, the time it takes me to wash/blow dry a dog i can charge around $60/hour, with grooming it is about halved as it takes me longer. I do have to make a living after all. You can certainly run a business just washing dogs, and doing tidy up/hygiene clipping.

What area are you in?

My guys get a cup and a bit of eukanuba morning and night. On the weekends they usually get a fresh roo tail, and a few chicken necks. We tried other dry foods, but it goes straight through them, for my guys, the euk works best for them - good poops, nice shiny coat, good muscle condition. We did have to try different amounts with them, to get the quantity correct. They seem to go great on this amount, they still look almost race condition, and you can really see their muscle tone.

I also agree with acupuncture. I have had two clients in recent months, a black lab and a bulldog who had bad, very bad spine problems. They are both now back to pretty much normal, both are older, lab is about 8 and bully is 10. I would discuss it with the vets, but both these dogs didnt have a good prognosis until their acupuncture treatments.

The only stupid question is the one that is not asked. I agree, those kinds of treats filled with flavours and colourings are junk. Which is of course, why my dogs love them and will bend over backwards for them. I do give them occasionally, but i dont buy them. I sometimes get samples for work, or gifts of them at christmas time etc from clients to my dogs. That's about the only time my kids get them. About the only treats i buy are dried liver. For training, i found cheese and smelly stuff like cabanossi, cooked sausage, salami etc worked well.

With her dry food, especially considering she is on a diet, put it in her bowl and cover it with water. Not to make it mushy, but to make her drink the water in order to get the food. I have had to do this with dogs in the past with great success. The bonus is, that because she is on a diet, she is drinking water with her food, and will therefore feel fuller.

Hey Julie, that's awesome... Anyone i have known who has sold a biz round here has taken ages. Well done. It is truly a 'right place at the right time' thing i believe. Congrats. Are you gonna start up another one at 'the Gong'?

You're probably right Shmoo, about the wages being one of the problems. I get way more calls these days from people who want clips, as the salons are so busy - i guess part of that reason is lack of staff. I usually do them, but it probably takes me a lot longer than you guys in salons, so not really cost effective for me. I do enjoy it, but on the business side, it is more a customer service, as these people usually book in for regular in between baths. And, if you think it is hard to find a groomer, then try finding somebody to buy a whole dog wash/grooming business..... i've had loads of nibbles but no takers as yet... Patience, Jodie... Patience.

I have exactly the opposite - my guys do great on eukanuba, but have just bought royal canin and it doesnt seem to agree with them nearly as well. Problem is, we bought a bag of euk over christmas at a smaller pet supply, and evidently it was off, and now they wont eat it at all. We persisted for a while, with fresh bags, but unless we smothered it in other yummy stuff, they wouldnt touch it. They were similar with the RC, and we have to wet it with some warm water and mix it a bit to make a kind of gravy on it, they will eat it, but their poos are mushy and sticky - Soft i can handle, but this sticky stuff - i cant pick it up properly when out walking.... Am planning on getting them onto Barf or similar when we move to the country - just dont have the freezer/fridge space currently to do it cost effectively.

Ohhh yeah, forgot about the drier.... i often wonder what people think when they see me on the side of the road or in a driveway with the nozzle stuck up my shirt or blowdrying myself...... I often use it on my face as well on dogs i am drying who are loosing a heap of hair. Another tip for doing that - keep your mouth SHUT..... Good idea about the baby powder tho. I will remember that. Now i come to think of it, i dont have a problem with the soft haired dogs either. It's the summer shave offs - retrievers, B/collies etc.

Yep, i get that all the time - the worst is when it gets in your BRA!!! In winter, i usually wear a singlet with a highish neck, but in summer, especially the one we have just had, forget it! Those aerobic midrif singlets help as well. With the hairs inside your arms at the elbow, i just hose my arms when i am done clipping. If you have dry, cracked hands, use more moisturiser more regularly, and just rinse off your hands if it gets too much whilst clipping. I guess you could wear surgical gloves, but i dont like them myself. Carry some tweezers to get the hairs out of your fingers/hands that dont rinse off. That's all i can suggest - unfortunately, like dogs licking us to death, it is part of the job.

ditto to what annie said... i have been whipped countless times by our girl when daddy gets home..... I think her weight is good. Some retirees i have seen gain a little extra weight, and i think they look strange. For me, personally, i like to see a few ribs. IMO that is how these magnificent animals are built, you are supposed to see some ribs and those beautiful rippling muscles. My big boy often gets stopped on our walks by people, usually guys, asking when he is racing again - those who know greys are usually gobsmacked when i tell them that he hasnt raced for nearly 3 years, and my girl has never raced. They both look race condition, and that is how i like them. I know some wont agree, that now that they are pets it is ok to carry some extra weight, but i feel that since they, especially my boy who was retired due to injury, should be kept lean to ward off joint pain later on as they get older. Your little 'cow-girl', Polly, is just stunning, and looks like about the same size as my girl. She is actually spitting image of a friend of mines grey. Congrats - sounds like she is coming around. Dont be worried if you have a few setbacks, it is amazing what small things will scare a spook. Just be relaxed around her, and firm when required, and you will have a great little girl on your hands.

If you got her right from the trainer, then she probably has never seen the inside of a house. You need to introduce her to things such as clear glass (windows and doors), carpet, slippery floors, stairs. And sounds like flushing toilets, washing dishes, washing machines etc etc. The list goes on. Imagine you have never seen or been inside a house, and think about what you need to introduce her to. My boy was from rspca, and he walked into our house and was totally comfy immediately. (had one setback when he 'zoomed' into a glass door, hence my warning). Maya however, was a little spook, sounds like your girl. She was about 18 mths old, and spend most of the first night trembling and pacing and panting. Quite distressing for us. I left he be mostly, but didnt go far from her. at one point she went into our bedroom and hopped on the bed. I think she froze at the softness and the fact her feet sank a bit, when i tried to lift her down gently, as i could see her distress, she yelped and froze some more. A far cry from the girl who now, every morning when i open the bedroom door, does a flying leap from 2 meters away and lands on her daddys... well.... lets say she is a great aim... Then there was the beeping pedestrian traffic lights.... took us 6 months for her to get over that fright. What i am saying, is that with the right introduction to her retirement, and gently gently, you will have a nutcase like my little girl on your hands. Probably helped our girl that our boy is a laid back dude with nothing phasing him ever. She still has her little frights occasionally, but she is a completely different dog to the one we brought home a little over a year ago. Just introduce her to things gently, she will 'get it' in her own time Oh, bedding? Something very soft!!! They dont have the body fat as padding that most dogs have. You dont want her on anything too hard or rough (that's what my greys tell me anyway). Make sure she has a special place of her own, where she can go for time out. Make it comfy and somewhere your other dogs dont usually go. Once she knows this is her place, take her there when she gets stressed out. And the best part? You cannot begin to imagine the joy in seeing that little girl coming out of her shell. You will be amazed, stunned, and elated every little step she takes. It is truly a wonderful experience. Good on you for adopting this girl - what is her name and WHERE ARE THE PHOTOS!!!!! Edited to add: just because she didnt have the stuff to be a racer, the chase instinct wasnt strong enough, doesnt mean it isnt there. That is the same reason our girl was surrendered - but let her off at the off leash (fenced) park now and she is off and running to chase the nearest moving dog. Man that girl can fly - another joy you have to look forward - the magnificence of a greyhound in full flight! You will also have to get her a muzzle - it is still law in NSW for a grey to wear a muzzle in public. I think i would muzzle my kids at the park regardless of the law, i know they can get a bit excited when they want to chase somebody.

Agree with Saltwood - i dont think there is a tool which is perfect for all dogs. Some dogs coats love my coat king - others, of the same breed, the CK s absolutely no effect. I use a combo of Coat King, Furminator, Rake, Slicker and even a spider brush and regular hair brush for some occasions. I have to admit the furmiator works wonderfully on my greyhounds, but then, so does a hacksaw blade (serious - great for stripping)

For 3-400 bucks you could probably get a decent second hand force drier, for the money you would pay for grooming over a few months, it would pay for itself. I love the result of blow drying really hairy dogs, it is very satisfying. You could still go get the $10 hydrobath and then go home and dry her. You can also use the blower on her without washing, just as an inbetween to get rid of hair - it works better than brushing IMO Sorry, cant move to brisbane - i REFUSE to follow the REDS..... I am a Waratah Chick!

I agree with what the other groomers have said. I have a number of huskies and mals that i do on a casual basis. I have two sibes i do fortnightly, but they dont want to pay for a blowdry. I will sometimes do a free dry on these two when they are blowing their coats, but it isnt appreciated (but they do look nice afterwards - however there is no money in self satisfaction.... unfortunately lol) Whenever i do a new dog who is maulting (SP) a lot, i blow dry a bit first, then brush, wash, sometimes get a spider brush on them whilst they are in the bath to pull out more, then towel and blow dry. I also tell the client that even tho i get this much (and show them the blocked up hydrobath tank) hair, to get the most value out of this bath, they should brush him again the next morning. And that they will get another pile of hair out but then they should be good for a while after that with just their regular brush sessions. Also, a brush the next day wont take that long as the coat is clean and slippery, the hair practically falls out itself. As a washer/groomer, it is very frustrating to make a really nice job on a dog, not charge enough, and have the client book in for a month's time, only to cancel for some reason or another and call again in 3-4 months time or longer and i am back to square one. I will say, most of my clients are great, but some just dont realise they must brush them more often. On more than a few occasions, i have taken it on myself (if i have time) to go back the next day for a goldie or snowdog that i have blow dried, and give them another go over with a coat king or slicker - at no charge - because i was so pleased with the job i had done the day before that i didnt want it ruined by not having that all important follow up brush. This is why i am not a millionaire.......but it is also why i LOVE my job.

Update for those interested in Husky I saw him today - pulled up and heard him yelling at me to hurry up and come get him for his bath - back to his old self. He does look a little strange with his big boofy head and tail and hardly any coat, but honestly, his skin looks amazingly improved. His mum gave him a medicated sponge off over the weekend - using the pyroex (damn, can never remember the name of that stuff) and a lot of the redness is gone, the gooey yeasty stuff has almost gone, and it looks just brilliant. I was able to give him a really good flea wash, and his mum is going to do weekly medicated washes till it is clear, then i suggested aloveen. I will be going monthly from now on, to hydrobath him. He certainly looked very happy, almost like a little kid running around in the nude... Have told his mum if she wants me to clip him next year, then we will have to organise to do it at the vet - dont know if they will allow it, or even if husky will still be with us, but she can only ask. She really wants me to do it rather than somebody he doesnt know. I can understand that, and would probably feel the same way. I did say tho, that if we get on top of this skin, and regular hydrobaths again (i will slowly try and reintroduce the blow dryer) he may not even need to be clipped again. i honestly couldnt believe the difference in his skin. I am sure letting the air and a bit of sun (only a bit of course) really has helped. thanks again all for your thoughts and advice. Oh, i also printed out this whole topic and gave it to her for reading.