Do you have a DOG GROOMING question?

[golfgal]

Tear staining help:

A friend had what I thought was a poodle. I hadn't been over to her house for a few weeks and then when I did visit I saw her dog and asked her what happened to her other dog. It was the same dog, which is actually a Maltese. Turns out the dog had some food allergies, and had them for quite some time. She took her to a new groomer that immediately spotted the allergy and had he switch her food. She gained much needed weight and all the tear stains around her eyes are GONE! You might want to investigate if your dogs have allergies.

 

[DLBDS]

I have a 5 year old male black minituare poodle.

He goes to the groomers about every 8 weeks or so.

His former owner (my MIL) used to give him a "close to Bijon" cut with the moustache. We didn't like that, so we are now giving him a clean face.

However, we are stumped as to a good number cut to go with. Lately, we've been giving him a #5 all over for a very low maintenance cut. He can almost stretch to 9-10 weeks between groomings with a #5 all over cut. He got groomed about 3 weeks ago, and looks great now. I love his length now. A #5 is almost too short for about 2 weeks or so and it looks fantastic now. What number would you suggest that would be two-three weeks after a #5 cut?


He got cut once and it was too thick and didn't look right. It grew back quicker and had to go more often. I'm thinking that I'll keep the #5 for the time being, but am looking for suggestions.

We don't do poms either on the tail, just a straight cut.

The only blades left after the #5 is a #4 and a #3. The #3 is great if you like the coat more fluffy. A #4 would be right in between the #5 and #3. Good luck!

 

[DLBDS]

OK! I just looked at the price for a furminator and I have to ask....is it really that good??? The price nearly knocked me off my chair!

I'm with you, girlfriend! I say skip the Furminator and use the brush for now . You can always get the Furminator later if needed...and when you've had a chance to save a little $$. I had someone with a Lhasa call me not long ago asking if I used the Furminator. I told her "no" and she thanked me for returning her call but she was very adamant about finding a groomer that used the Furminator. It must really work well or it wouldn't have such good reviews. I, however, can't say one way or the other as I just don't have any experience with them. Get a brush and hold off on the Furminator. The puppy will take quite a while to get a full coat anyway (and some cockers never really get a lot of hair growth...just feathering on the backs of the legs). Good luck!

 

[DLBDS]

I know this thread has been for the 'do it yourselfers' like myself who grooms my own apbt with no problem, but I have a friend who takes her Yorky to a professional groomer, and was wondering if she should TIP. Is tipping a standard practice at the doggie salon?

Great question. Tipping is appreciated but not necessary. You will get the same result whether you tip or not. I never really got tips until I started working from home (I worked for a vet practice for 12-13 years). Now, it's quite common for me to get an additional $5 (I charged $25 for a full groom though and just recently went up to $30. Time will tell if those tips remain "common"). Anyway, I have to add that tipping COULD get you preferential treatment. In other words, you may get that last minute appointment where as a non-tipping client would just have to schedule for another day or you might get those nails painted at no charge just to see if you like it or not.....that kind of thing. But, as a rule, tipping is not required. I like to have people compare grooming with their own haircuts..."Do you tip your hairdresser?"

 

[DLBDS]

Tear staining help:

A friend had what I thought was a poodle. I hadn't been over to her house for a few weeks and then when I did visit I saw her dog and asked her what happened to her other dog. It was the same dog, which is actually a Maltese. Turns out the dog had some food allergies, and had them for quite some time. She took her to a new groomer that immediately spotted the allergy and had he switch her food. She gained much needed weight and all the tear stains around her eyes are GONE! You might want to investigate if your dogs have allergies.

Great point!

 

[DLBDS]

How do I brush my dog's teeth??? His breath is HORRIBLE lately! I bought beef flavored toothpaste and a toothbrush but I'm terrible at holding him still which is why I don't groom him myself. How do I do this effectively?

When I started grooming 17 years ago, teeth-brushing wasn't offered as part of the grooming service. Now, it's quite common. Because I went to work for a vet after my training ended, I never got into teeth brushing. If his breath is as bad as you say then, a professional dentistry (performed by your vet) is probably a good idea. It would be better to start brushing a clean set of snags anyway, don't ya think? You could also try the finger-tip type of brush (it slips over you finger) and you could just rub his teath that way. You have a lot more control with this type of brush although I don't know how good a job it does. You could always start with the finger-tip and once he's comfortable with that, move on to the toothbrush. The toothbrush would do a more thorough job at cleaning the teeth. Discuss it with your vet/groomer and see what tips they can offer you.

Finger-tip Toothbrush:
http://www.petedge.com/shopping/pro...306&iSubCat=334&iSubSubCat=339&iProductID=369

 

[Aimeedyan]

I've had two other cockers in my life (we had a rescue when I was living with my parents, and one when I was first married) and, oh yes, they shed. But when I was researching cockers looking for a breeder, I read somewhere that they are considered "moderate shedders" I thought, "you mean there are breeds that shed more than them???" So...in my mind....they are big time shedders.

This little girl is going to be pretty little. Her mother is about 18 pounds and this pup is the smallest one in the litter. I saw pictures of the father and he's not that big either. I'm really hoping for a small dog. If I wasn't going to get a cocker spaniel, I would have gone for something smaller. My last cocker was 35 pounds which is huge for a cocker spaniel. It's one of many reasons why I chose to look for a breeder instead of the pet store (but there a plenty of threads about that).

We have a petsmart close by. I'll have to go check them out.

Thanks! I learned something new! For some reason I thought they were very low shed - like my Shih Tzu. Sure are cuties, though =)

 

[Planecrazy4dis]

Great question. Tipping is appreciated but not necessary. You will get the same result whether you tip or not. I never really got tips until I started working from home (I worked for a vet practice for 12-13 years). Now, it's quite common for me to get an additional $5 (I charged $25 for a full groom though and just recently went up to $30. Time will tell if those tips remain "common"). Anyway, I have to add that tipping COULD get you preferential treatment. In other words, you may get that last minute appointment where as a non-tipping client would just have to schedule for another day or you might get those nails painted at no charge just to see if you like it or not.....that kind of thing. But, as a rule, tipping is not required. I like to have people compare grooming with their own haircuts..."Do you tip your hairdresser?"

Thanks DLBDS. I feel the same way: "Do you tip your hairdresser?". I think it's only right.

 

[Miss Park Avenue]

I'm with you, girlfriend! I say skip the Furminator and use the brush for now . You can always get the Furminator later if needed...and when you've had a chance to save a little $$. I had someone with a Lhasa call me not long ago asking if I used the Furminator. I told her "no" and she thanked me for returning her call but she was very adamant about finding a groomer that used the Furminator. It must really work well or it wouldn't have such good reviews. I, however, can't say one way or the other as I just don't have any experience with them. Get a brush and hold off on the Furminator. The puppy will take quite a while to get a full coat anyway (and some cockers never really get a lot of hair growth...just feathering on the backs of the legs). Good luck!

If she is anything like her parents, she will have quite a coat. I cannot wait to get her! Here's a pic. I put it in my avatar but it's too small.

I met her mother and saw a picture of her dad and the mom looks like a walking mop! I'm sooo excited. I may end up getting the small furminator when she grows.

 

[left210]

I have a question about shaving a pomeranian. I dont want them to go down to the skin but would like a close shave. I used to just get a normal pom cut but now like to give them a close cut once a year at the start of summer. This really helps with the brushing and keeping the matting down too. What is the best clipper blade to use for this? Also, when you use the clippers are you supposed to cut their hair short with scissors first or just start with the clippers? I noticed you didnt recommend the kind with the snap on blades? They seem to be the most reasonably priced for a non-professional and I was just wondering why you didnt recommend them? With 4 dogs though I dont mind investing in some better clippers because one grooming visit will pay for them for me. So could you tell me what blades to use for a close shave, for the paws and underneath side? Also, I am a little scared about the clippers you mentioned because you indicated they can chew the dogs skin? How careful do you have to be so that you dont injure the dog? Also, if I am not able to go with the Andis clippers that you use, are there any others that you might recommend that include the blade attachments that are not quite as expensive? Also, do you recommend bathing them first? It kind of seems backwards especially if you are going to shave them but I have read elsewhere that you need to bath first. Sorry for all of the questions. I am just so glad to have found this thread.