ACCCKKKK!!!!

[Khiori]

/me has been bad

Ok, Khiori had acl surgery back in mid-July. To help pay for the surgery, I've been making quilts. I just finished the sixth (and last) one and trying to get life back into organization.

Khiori is in ok condition, esp since 1/3 of her coat was shaved off. But, Solo is another story. He doesn't have any mats (thank goodness!) and is in 'ok' condition... but he's got a lot of undercoat to get out.

Solo isn't much for grooming. He'd rather play with the brushes. (although he did enjoy the fifteen minutes grooming I just gave him)

Any suggestions on how I should tackle this? I'm *very* wary of our local groomers (esp when I saw one dog escape and go running around in the parking lot, half shaved!) So no go on the groomers. I'd like to get this done in the least stressful way and am prepared to get into a nightly regime. I just don't know where to start... back, front, butt? Timewise per session - 30 min? an hour?

Also, I don't want him to swim or get too wet til this is taken care of. ackk... /me has been very bad

 

[Lynne]

OK, Rachel, get out your rake! Do you have one, I hope? My favorite is the Twinco, a wooden handle with 2 rows of nails set in a V shape. After I've gone over them with that one, I use the Millers Forge (white plastic handle with 2 straight rows of nails). I'd do as much as the dog would allow before quitting. Grabs the rake, does she? Let her- with the nails on her tongue! That discourages them, fast! Everyone has their favorite routine. I start with the neck, chest and shoulders as the dog sits on the grooming table. Then I go down the back while they're sitting (much easier for a short person!

Now it's time to get on your feet, pupper! First is the tail, then I work forward on one side- pants, then leg feathering, last the body, and repeat on the other side. DONE! We comb the head and ear area (can't forget that fuzz!)with lots of praise and kisses. Finally, we lie on the floor to get the tummy- just another sort of tummy rub, isn't it? If you follow a routine, it's easy to remember where you left off if pupper gets antsy and you have to continue in a later session.
This method has worked for me for about 30 yrs. Good luck, and stock up on garbage bags! Does anyone know if Fur for Health is still operating?
Lynne

 

[Khiori]

Eep! I don't think I have a rake. I've got a comb and (I think it's called this) a slicker.

I've been working his back near the tail and getting lots of hair out. And I'm able to go over most all his body each time I groom him. But your way sounds more systematic.

At this time, I'm ignoring any kind of trimming of feet and nails. (except to get the pads clear of hair) He's finally enjoying our grooming though.

Ok, I'll get the rack you mentioned. But I have a question. What about nail clippers? I have a pair that works ok on Khiori. Is there a specific kind that you recommend? (mine is the guillotine type - don't know the brand) The one I have seems a bit wobbly for nails the size of a newf.

Ok, I'm off to do more brushing and combing and nail clipping

 

[Lynne]

I like the heavy duty one that Cherrybrook carries, Rachel. Some of them aren't as sturdy as I like. It has a sort of orange handle. You can mail order your rakes there, too. And don't forget the KwikStop, in case you nick a claw. I will NEVER forget how panicky my husband and I got the first time that happened to our first Newf! Couldn't get the bleeding to stop! A pinch of the KwikStop and it's taken care of. Cherrybrook has a website, too. I like J B Wholesale and K V Vet Supply, but I think Cherrybrook is the only one that has the Millers Forge Rake and I'm not sure about their clippers.
Happy grooming!

Lynne

 

[mudji]

Well, I have one, Angus that likes being groomed, and tolerates the bath route. When I lived in south, I too was leary of groomers (and too cheap). In fact last week we washed Angus on the deck. (I'll have to post those pictures, too. They are pretty funny. We had to bribe him to stand up with cabbage leaves from the garden.

Mowgli is another story. He wriggles and tries to escape ANY time we try to groom him. He is also the one that loves to roll in the sand when outside. I have found that trying to pin him to a stationary object, a wall, the couch will allow me to get a few combing from him. (I think he might have been beaten with a comb or brush. He flips out at the sight. No amount of treats will help.) I just do the best I can and then eventually about twice a year he's off to the groomers. He comes back a different dog, at least size wise...no more undercoat.

You might want to ask around, your vet, the newf-l list to see if you can find a groomer. I too was skeptical, and asked someone I trusted to find a good one. One suggestion, just have the dog washed and combed the first time. Tell them under NO CIRCUMSTANCES are they to trim anything! That has worked for me until I was convinced they were okey.

Bottom line, I use whatever tactic I have to to get Mowgli brushed. Bribery, deceat, nothing is beyond the getting to the end of the task!

 

[Khiori]

Thank you both for the suggestions. Yesterday I was able to get Solo's feet trimmed (they looked like elf shoes) by feeding him outside and just working on his feet one by one.

Later I took him to 'the village' (a small shopping area near the lake). I thought I would get him good and tired out, then bring him home and trim his nails. Unfortunately that back fired and I think I was more tired than him!

 

[Theresa]

Poor Mowgli! The thought of anyone beating any animal makes me sick. Poor baby, guess it will just take allot of love and patience when it comes to grooming time. Malia loves her grooming time (except for toenail trimming! lol!). When Boomer sees how much loving she gets during grooming time, he wants some and lets me groom him. I agree with you guys, the rake is an excellent tool. I find that I can't rake all at once, my arms gets tired. I have to do it more often instead of all at once.

 

[Lynne]

We placed a Rescue dog, years ago, who hated being groomed. They retrained her to accept it by doing just a little bit each night, going around her body- neck one night, chest the next, rt shoulder, etc. She got used to it, after a while. If someone can give treats as dog is being brushed, it helps. I'm not above a little bribery!
Have you tried a grooming table? Much easier on the back, and the dogs learn to stay on quickly. It helps to have a 2nd person petting (and keeping them in place!) until they're used to it. I used to sit on the floor and do them, but my back loves the table!
Lynne

 

[Khiori]

What I've been doing the past few days, I wish I had been doing for months now. I work from home first off. But I've started wearing a fanny pack full of grooming tools and a baggie of treats. That way I can just give a few quick combs and treat. Unfortunately, now Khiori won't leave me alone

 

[Jeannie]

Since I am a groomer, I get upset every time I hear someone complaining about a groomer--don't do a good job or prices too high. First there is a lot of work grooming a dog, even it is just a bath. If your dog won't stand for you to be groomed what makes you think it will stand for a groomer? We really work hard for the amount of money that we make. I try to be fair with all my customers. For a Newf I would charge $100 plus depending on how matted or dirty and how well it will cooperate.

I have heard many horror stories from groomers themselves as to bad things that has happened in their shops. Granted most things are neglience--like leaving a dog unattended on a table with a noose around the neck (return to find a hung dog). But there are some very dedicated groomers out there that loves dogs. So please please do not let one bad apple spoil the whole bunch.

If I have a customer that is leary about leaving a dog and wants to stay and help I will let them. If the dog starts acting up, I explain to them that a dog will sometimes act better without mom or dad there and I call them after each stage of grooming to keep them informed. If the dog is no better I will call the owner to come and get the dog. I welcome anyone that wants to observe my work as long as I am not doing their dog that day. I think that any good groomer should welcome that. I have nothing to hide and most reputable groomers won't either.

I hope this post is not out of line. I am not trying to start anything. I understand that there are many dogs that do not like grooming and nothing is going to change their attutude. The best thing to do is, take it slow. If you get a tangle or mat, just cut it out--cut into the mat to break it up then comb it out--do not cut across the mat. If the mat is in tight to the skin, then shave it out. Most dog object to grooming because at one time or another they have been hurt while grooming. It is not the dog's fault the owner let them get a mess so why should they have to suffer the pain of being combed out?

I have a rescue that would go crazy--actually bite at me--when I was combing and hit just a tangle. After months of being patient, I can now groom her with no problems at all. She trusts me and will let me do anything.

Sorry this is so long. I just hear so much about people that don't comb their dogs for months, then expect an easy way out. There is an easy way out, just comb your dog at least once a week. Jeannie

 

[Khiori]

Jeannie, no offense to you and your occupation. I'm sure you are a fine groomer. However, I would never leave a dog at a groomer who has had loose dogs running thru a busy parking lot, with no one aware of the dog's departure. This is what happened in my town. The other groomer here does not allow ppl to visit their facilities. They pick up the dog. IMHO this is unacceptable. I want to see under what conditions my dog will be kept.

In Solo's case, it was for the month of August and part of September I was unable to fully groom him. I said in my original post:

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>He doesn't have any mats (thank goodness!) and is in 'ok' condition... but he's got a lot of undercoat to get out. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Be careful before assuming that I have 'neglected' to groom my newf for 'months.' I never said that.

I've had this conversation with other newf groomers (professionals) over this in the past. Why is it such a bad thing that I prefer to groom my own dogs and use this time to bond with them instead of sending them to a groomer? I also have asked them "Why do you groom your dogs instead of having them sent to a groomer?" Invaribly it's because the groomers (and I) enjoy grooming our own dogs.

So which do you suggest? The groomer who
has had loose dogs running thru a busy parking lot, with no one aware of the dog's departure or the other groomer who does not allow ppl to visit their facilities? Or would you rather tell how you would begin grooming a dog who has a lot of undercoat to remove and likes to play with combs?

 

[Jeannie]

Kniori,
I was not attacking you personally when I was talking about the lack of grooming. I am aware that there are some cases when grooming cannot be done. I was just stating that in general because of the experiences I have had.

If your groomer's shop is in such disarray, I would not take my dog there either. When a customer walks into my shop, they can see me grooming and the dogs in the cages. They can actually walk anywhere they want in my shop. I know when each dog goes home--I tell each owner how there dog was that day--good or bad.

I love grooming my dog--any dog for that matter. Please don't take offense to what I said. As I said I was just speaking in general terms.

Good luck on getting the undercoat out. A rake is the best tool to use. There is also a product called Best Shot that will help remove the undercoat, but it requires the dog be bathed

Jeannie

 

[Khiori]

I took it that you were angry with me for 1. not wanting to utilize groomers, and 2. for not grooming Solo often enough

Anyway, in fairness to the groomer who picks up the dogs... I've heard good things about the job she does. It just bugs me that she doesn't allow ppl to visit her facilities. Like you said, some dogs act up when their owners are present. This one seems to not even want to deal with it.

In any case! I'm still looking for the rake. My parents are visiting right now. My mom, bless her heart, has been having a ball helping me groom Solo. Khiori, the brat who can have a flea comb glide easily thru her fur, won't let us work until she's had her fifteen minutes first.

[This message has been edited by Khiori (edited 09-24-2000).]

 

[Khiori]

I'm sorry, Jeanne, for being short tempered. Please forgive me.