Do you have a DOG GROOMING question?

[DLBDS]

My question is about my golden, who was just at the vet yesterday for a FOUL smelling hot spot - . We have a creek in our yard now, and he spends alot of time in it, so we were thinking about shaving him for the summer. My 8 year old, of course, cries at the thought.....

What do you think? Could we just ask for some sort of really short haircut? Vet said a thorough weekly brush out should be okay - But I'm thinking cutting it would be better. How much would that cost? Thanks!!

I've shaved many goldens. If nothing else, you will have a better chance at spotting another hotspot early BEFORE it gets to that yucky stage. I suggest shaving him with a #7 (shorter) or #5 (a little longer) ALL OVER. If you're brave, shave the tail also. They look much better to me that way. Not everyone would agree with me though. To me, when you look at a dog like yours, that's been shaved, from a distance they look normal. Like a short-coated breed. When you leave all that long hair on the tail, it's goofy looking and they LOOK like a shaved dog. Another thing you might want to try is shaving the tail and leaving a "flag" at the end. Leave the last 4-5" or so and just trim it lightly to even up. I love that also. Really cool. Shaving the hair short would make bathing/drying/brushing easier too. You might want to consider doing it just for the spring/summer. Then let it grow out for the fall and winter. Expect to pay anywhere between $45-$90 for a full groom 1-3 times per year. (I think around here the average is about $60-$70.) Good luck!

 

[DLBDS]

This is a great thread!

I'm probably about to get a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy. My parents have 2 Cavaliers, but they bought their grooming equipment so long ago now that I don't even remember what they bought. Do you have any suggestions for what to use at home as far as brushes, tools to release mats, etc? We already have nail clippers, and I'm very comfortable with those, but I'm not sure what the best brushes are. Thanks!

There are TONS of products/equipment to choose from. I have been grooming for 17 years and am rather set in my ways. I use one brush, one comb, one nail clipper. The only things I experiment with are electric clippers and scissors. However, once I find a scissor that I like, that's the one I purchase until I can't get it anymore. The brush I use (link below), has been around longer than I've been grooming....for a reason. It's the ONLY brush I use. It's perfect for brushing out matts. Combs are easier to buy. I like the steel ones (link below). Just pick whichever one you think is best. I've used short ones and long ones. Maybe you would prefer the ones with handles? Order the Pet Edge catalog. It's FREE and has EVERYTHING you need and everything you will never need inside. I've been buying from them exclusively for years. (Except shampoo. They don't carry some of the shampoos I use.)

Comb:
http://www.petedge.com/shopping/pro...0&iSubCat=0&iSubSubCat=0&iProductID=4863&AS=1

Brush:
http://www.petedge.com/shopping/pro...0&iSubCat=0&iSubSubCat=0&iProductID=2074&AS=1

Clippers: This is mine. You can get one w/ a #40 or #10 blade also (different order #)
http://www.petedge.com/shopping/pro...=0&iSubCat=0&iSubSubCat=0&iProductID=607&AS=1

Dryer: This is mine but a smaller Metro Air Force dryer would be ok too. I need the POWER of this one.
http://www.petedge.com/shopping/pro...0&iSubCat=0&iSubSubCat=0&iProductID=1361&AS=1

Scissors: This is very similar to what I use.
http://www.petedge.com/shopping/pro...0&iSubCat=0&iSubSubCat=0&iProductID=2421&AS=1

 

[DLBDS]

I have a shih tzu... I try to keep up on the brushing because I don't like her shaved but what do you use for a conditioner... and also when I am brushing her, her hair gets a little static in it and it is hard to get some of the mats out... do you recomend a daily leave in conditioner or detangler when brushing.

I have a Cairn too-- boy is he a lot less work

Do you leave the coat long like the standard? If so, I would like to recommend that you shave (#7 blade) the ENTIRE underbody. From the arm pit area all the way back to the belly. I did this to my Lhasa and, let me tell ya, it made brushing sessions MUCH quicker. You can't tell a bit when they're standing up that this is done. Only when they're rolling on their backs or maybe laying on their side. I did this today, as a matter of fact, on a Maltese who has the long hair.

I can't recommend a specific conditioner but you can go to Pet Edge and see what they have. Believe it or not, I don't use 'em.

Try rubbing her hair with a dryer sheet before you brush her. That should help with the static. Sometimes in the winter, I've kept a dryer sheet tucked in my smock or next to me on the "table" and I don't have anymore problems with static.

I'm going to post about how to get matts out. Keep an eye out for it....

 

[AtlantaSue]

DLDBS - thanks for responding to my ?. I'd like to try shaving him - just have to convince my little girl....

 

[Pinkprincessmom]

I knew you were going to ask about equipment. I'll go check...brb...

The clippers are Andis Adjustable Home Pet Trimmer. The attachments are anywhere from 3/4" to 1/16".

Thank you for your advice. This is a great thread. I used to do the dryer thing like you do, but got tired of the mess it made. I now put her on the outdoor deck table. She's been through it enough that she knows the routine. She always gets carrots afterwards...

eta...not sure if the blade is #10 or #40 or what. Couldn't find it on the information I kept.

Thanks again!

 

[DawnCt1]

I have a 65 pound female standard poodle. I have always kept her in a "puppy cut" with top knot and pom on her tail. Now that I am not working, and we have a new groomer, its time to grow out her hair. Any ideas about what to do with the top knot until it grows out and when it does, does it go into a pony tail? I never paid much attention to those long hair dos so I don't know what to expect. Also, I have a slicker brush, a pin brush and a steel comb. I comb her ears and tail and her head, and pin brush or slicker the rest of it. Is there a proper technique or a better tool? thanks

 

[DLBDS]

I knew you were going to ask about equipment. I'll go check...brb...

The clippers are Andis Adjustable Home Pet Trimmer. The attachments are anywhere from 3/4" to 1/16".

Thank you for your advice. This is a great thread. I used to do the dryer thing like you do, but got tired of the mess it made. I now put her on the outdoor deck table. She's been through it enough that she knows the routine. She always gets carrots afterwards...

eta...not sure if the blade is #10 or #40 or what. Couldn't find it on the information I kept.

Thanks again!

Is this it?:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002Y1T5Y/002-7118683-3520805?v=glance&n=284507

Ok, that helps a lot. I see that it comes with snap-on comb attachments. These aren't going to give you a smooth finished cut. I recommend you get real clipper blades. It looks like the blade in the picture is a #40. If you were using this alone then I guess you WERE scalping him. This is a surgical blade! It's used to prep animals for surgery. It's also used on poodle feet and faces. You definitely don't want to use this on your schnauzer. For the body (back, neck, head, shaved area of rear legs) use a #9 blade. On the ears use a #10 (flat areas only! Use scissors to CAREFULLY trim the excess hair around the edges. If the edge of the ear gets caught in the clipper blade it will chew it up.) You can brush and trim the legs, skirt, feet, chest, beard and eyebrows to tidy up. OR you can use a #3 (or #4) on the legs, skirt and chest for a shorter schnauzer cut. Use your scissors to even up the odd bits that the clippers miss. There is a pattern to a schnauzer cut. You know about the angled cut down the rear legs, right? You shave at the shoulder ALMOST down to the elbow. Then use that as your guide as to how far down to shave along the midsection were the skirt is. (Boy I wish I could demonstrate all this!) On the head...the outside corner of the eye is were you start shaving on the sides of the face. ALWAYS SHAVE WITH THE GROWTH OF THE HAIR ON ALL DOGS! The eyebrows are trimmed at an angle so that it's longer at the nose and extremely short at the outside corner. Just a few more things to add....Brush out first. Bathe. Blow dry. Then start the clipping. It's better on the equipment if the hair is free of dirt and debris. Let me know if you have anymore questions. It's hard to mention everything as I don't know the experience level of all the posters. Good luck! ~That's a GREAT pic by the way!~ Makes me want to break out my equipment!!

 

[Pinkprincessmom]

We live in the same state...I'm in the Triangle . Maybe you could be my personal groomer!

Thank you so much for the very detailed information. I feel like you should send me a bill.

I try to keep her eyebrows and beard true to a Schnauzer, but I don't worry so much about the skirt and legs. I was doing incorrectly bathing her after the cut instead of before.

The example that came with the shaver is of a poodle cut. You are right about it being the blade that they do the poodle's face with. I hate that I've been using an incorrect blade. Thanks for letting me know.

Maybe we'll get a professional to groom her soon, then I'll try to get new blades and maintain it.

I wanted to add...when I realized how short the blade was cutting, I wouldn't go all the way to the skin. There would be spots that would be extremely short, but she wasn't completely surgically shaved all over...does this make sense?

 

[Miss Park Avenue]

(I thought I posted this before but I must have gotten distracted...)


Any advice for a cocker spaniel??? I'm looking to get one soon. I'd like to get a furminator brush what size do I get? Also, I'd like to maintain her between groomings what do you suggest??

Thanks for this thread

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I"ve always groomed my dogs myself but we had our bathtub refinished last year so now I can't do it in there anymore. Summer isn't a problem as I can do it outside, but winter is. And the shedding around here is ridiculous.

Anyway, I recently picked up a friend's dog at the kennel. She had been freshly groomed and she smelled so nice. I also learned that I knew someone who worked at the groomers so I decided to give it a go. I took her to Pecto and let them do it (it was me who posted they have do it yourself grooming areas ). After the groomer thread here a few months ago I was a little worried about having her groomed, but I knew they do it out in the open and I could watch.

Well I have to say I had a great experience. My dog "reacts" to other dogs (barks, but is otherwise friendly) and based on that, they had told us they would do her when there weren't too many others around. We got there and there were several other dogs, all barking like crazy (guess I didn't need to worry). They put my dog in a cage out back until the others cleared out (she was howling as we left), and they were really sensitive to her personality and needs. Wanting to make sure everything went smoothly, I told them to feel free to muzzle her if need be, but they didn't need to. She was fine, and in fact they wrote on her papers that she was a "good girl", LOL.

I think from now on I will take her there because of the simple fact that that blower really gets rid of the excess hair. I was watching them blow her fur, her hair was flying all over the place. It was them who told me about the do it yourself area, suggesting that we could do that in between professional groomings if we wanted to keep the hair down (we are thinking of pulling up our carpets and redoing the hardwood floors). I appreciated that tip from them. I do her nails myself but only take a little off at a time, they got them down nice and short.

Aimeedyan, re: your question about nails. I suggest keeping having two people there if you try it yourself (you and your DH) and also having lots of special treats on hand. Make him know it's something not to be feared and that he'll get a treat after each foot is done. Liesl was a complete nut when we started doing her nails, but I've gotten her to the point where I can do it by myself. Just keep at it. I always had DH hold her down at the shoulder when she's laying on her side, then I get in a position where I can easily reach the nails. I only take a bit off because I know if I hurt her it will make her scared again, so I try to do it every week or two instead of taking more off less often. Good luck, keep at it.

 

[DLBDS]

I have a 65 pound female standard poodle. I have always kept her in a "puppy cut" with top knot and pom on her tail. Now that I am not working, and we have a new groomer, its time to grow out her hair. Any ideas about what to do with the top knot until it grows out and when it does, does it go into a pony tail? I never paid much attention to those long hair dos so I don't know what to expect. Also, I have a slicker brush, a pin brush and a steel comb. I comb her ears and tail and her head, and pin brush or slicker the rest of it. Is there a proper technique or a better tool? thanks

All of the standard poodles I've done in the past were shaved short. The body and legs, of all of them, were kept short for maintenace reasons. Standard poodles can be a HUGE responsibility to take on if you want them in full coat. I'm a little confused as to how you want her to look when she's groomed. You say you kept her in a "puppy cut with topknot and pom on her tail". Do you WANT the topknot to grow longer? Puppy cuts on a poodle are scissored styles. In other words, they are poofy all over. Which means they would have a poofy scissored topknot. Do you want the topknot to be so long that it can be put in a latex band? Click on this link and see which cut best represents your grooming preference...
http://qtpawzgrooming.tripod.com/poodleclips.html

As for brushing....If you're happy with the brushes you have and they perform the job well then there's no reason to replace them. Follow up with the comb all over after brushing. The comb is best for finding those matts/tangles you thought you had removed with the brush.

 

[DLBDS]

(I thought I posted this before but I must have gotten distracted...)


Any advice for a cocker spaniel??? I'm looking to get one soon. I'd like to get a furminator brush what size do I get? Also, I'd like to maintain her between groomings what do you suggest??

Thanks for this thread

First of all, I've never layed eyes on a Furminator in person and therefore have no experience with them. Judging by the pics I would say the MEDIUM size for a cocker spaniel. Ask a local groomer, who has experience with them, which one would be best for you. All you have to do between professional grooming sessions is keep the coat brushed out and free of matts. I like this brush:
http://www.petedge.com/shopping/pro...0&iSubCat=0&iSubSubCat=0&iProductID=2074&AS=1

For brushing the legs....start at the feet and work your way up (brushing with the growth of the hair...in other words, brush downward). Brush in sections and follow up with a comb. Don't try to brush large areas at once. Same thing with the ears....start at the bottom and get the ends brushed out and work your way up (brushing downward). Have them lay on their side to brush the sides and underbody. Always remove harnesses and/or collars before brushing. These cause the hair under them to matt and are often overlooked by owners. I can't tell you how many ring-around-the-necks I've had to brush out. Harnesses are even worse!

Good Luck!

 

[Miss Park Avenue]

Thanks! I think I'm going to get that brush and a medium furminator from Petedge. I just put a deposit on a cocker spaniel Friday and hope to pick her up from the breeder in a couple weeks. I'm so excited!!!

 

[Miss Park Avenue]

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!

 

[Cindy B]

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.

 

[DawnCt1]

All of the standard poodles I've done in the past were shaved short. The body and legs, of all of them, were kept short for maintenace reasons. Standard poodles can be a HUGE responsibility to take on if you want them in full coat. I'm a little confused as to how you want her to look when she's groomed. You say you kept her in a "puppy cut with topknot and pom on her tail". Do you WANT the topknot to grow longer? Puppy cuts on a poodle are scissored styles. In other words, they are poofy all over. Which means they would have a poofy scissored topknot. Do you want the topknot to be so long that it can be put in a latex band? Click on this link and see which cut best represents your grooming preference...
http://qtpawzgrooming.tripod.com/poodleclips.html

As for brushing....If you're happy with the brushes you have and they perform the job well then there's no reason to replace them. Follow up with the comb all over after brushing. The comb is best for finding those matts/tangles you thought you had removed with the brush.

Great web site thanks. So many beautiful hair do's. I really liked that long puppy cut. I do want her hair on top of her head to be in a band or a barrett. She is getting pretty full right now. I have never had her this long. I used to keep her short but her hair is really so soft when it is brush out and long. I can't believe my DSs are into her hair do. Maybe in the summer she will have to get a continental look.

 

[Aimeedyan]

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 thought Cocker's were very low shedding. But I could be wrong. I wouldn't buy one now but instead keep it in mind if she sheds a lot in the future.

My mutt, who sheds like crazy now, didn't really seem to shed when he was really small. So it would have been $ spent and not used for several months.

I bought a small - $35 - for my 40 pound mutt. I don't think you'll need a medium on an average cocker, esp since it will be a puppy the majority of the first year and smaller. They have them in the store at PetsMart so you can just go look and see which size will work best.

And yes, it really is that good. IF you have a dog that sheds.

 

[Planecrazy4dis]

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?

 

[Miss Park Avenue]

I thought Cocker's were very low shedding. But I could be wrong. I wouldn't buy one now but instead keep it in mind if she sheds a lot in the future.

My mutt, who sheds like crazy now, didn't really seem to shed when he was really small. So it would have been $ spent and not used for several months.

I bought a small - $35 - for my 40 pound mutt. I don't think you'll need a medium on an average cocker, esp since it will be a puppy the majority of the first year and smaller. They have them in the store at PetsMart so you can just go look and see which size will work best.

And yes, it really is that good. IF you have a dog that sheds.

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.

 

[Shugardrawers]

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?