What do I need?

[jstregis]

We will be bringing our first Newfi puppy home this coming Saturday. I think we have everything she will need but I don't have a clue as to what I need to buy for her grooming needs. Any help would be greatly appreciated. My better half has already advised me that our Volvo wagon isn't going to cut it and "could we please go look at something new " but I think that's a subject better left for later!

 

[roisinbutler]

Hi I am not a groomer( and there are excellent groomers with awesome advice on this forum) but I'd recommend a slicker brush and a wide toothed comb. Mild puppy shampoo and nail clippers. Many people here have dog dryers, we have a human one that is quiet and blows cold air as the hot or warm setting is too hot for pups and the noise of regular dryers is frightening.
We usually take Ozzy to the groomers in the cold months and bathe him ourselves in the summertime.
As to the volvo, we have an explorer that I want to downsize to a volvo wagon! Many people here have suvs and vans and are really happy with them, and there are alot of outback drivers who find that their size is fine for an adult newf.
Anyway good luck with your new fur-baby! Any names yet and is it a boy or a girl? Congratulations!!

 

[Elizabeth]

Just a reminder, grooming should always been fun for the pup, or Try to make it fun at least

For a pup I would suggest nail clippers, slicker brush, comb and blunt end scissors.
My grooming box has these items--
rake, 4 slickers, combs (rotating teeth and metal horse mane and tail) The mane and tail comb is awesome in my book. Thinning shears, scissors, clippers, small cat slickers work great behind the ears IMO.
Most important parts to brush on a newf--behind the ears, armpits, stomach and hind end.
Those spots seem to be magnets for mats.
I have a homemade grooming table 48"long, 24"wide and its about 30" high.
Also have a high velocity dryer that is awesome and worth every penny

I'm sure everyone else will post about the things I'm forgetting

Elizabeth

 

[jstregis]

Thank you for your help! I will get on it Monday morning. I guess the first priority should be getting the blow/dryer - we have a lot of water around our house and my expectation would be that the "new" one will be visiting it a lot. Can't wait to get her home! Will have plenty of pics then.

 

[MNnewf]

In addition to combs, brushes, rake, dryer, etc... You should also get some kind of spray to use while grooming. A detangler type thing. If you brush the coat with nothing on it, you can break the hair.

 

[mavrickhunter]

For those of us who are strcily pet owners but want to maintain good grooming practices...Would you-the experts-reccomend getting a grooming table? Do they really make the grooming process that much easier?

 

[Jeannie]

You can start with a PIN brush (a slicker will break the hairs) a comb that has medium and course teeth. If you can only find a comb with one size teeth-get the course. Get the plyers type nail trimmer not the guilotine type. Do not go to Wal-Mart or Petsmart to buy your shampoo. Go to a groomer or to your vet and get a good quality shampoo. Or you can go to Pet Edge and get everything you need at a great price. If you have any questions just ask and I will be happy to answer them

 

[Elizabeth]

Yes, I would suggest a grooming table.
The Detangler that I use is "The Stuff"
I have used the plier type nail clippers and prefer the other type. Personal preference.

And I still like slicker brushes, guess Gracie has super hair, it doesn't break from using a slicker

E

 

[Sailorgirl]

I highly recommend a grooming table. We built ours very inexpensively (I should say my husband built ours ... all i did was glue down the rubber matting). I bought an inexpensive grooming arm and the whole set up has changed our lives. I can do a pretty good job on him in half the time because there's no fussing around. He knows what he's standing up there for (and I think he's even learning to like it). It did wonders for trimming his paws which before was a huge struggle.

 

[NewfMom200]

We have built a table that looks just like store bought. For about 1/4 the price. And it is one sturdy thing....I was paranoid about it being strong enough. I have no worries now. I don't know how we lived without one before. Sore back, sore knees, trying to groom a moving target. Now, you can actually see what you are doing. My table is a lifesaver.
The dogs just love it too! They know they are going to get fussed over and often nudge each other out of the way to get on first. Great.
I bought a horse brush (sort of flat with dense bristles) and I use it on the front of their legs. It removes dry mud and is really slick.

[ 03-09-2004, 10:46 PM: Message edited by: NewfMom200 ]

 

[ardeagold]

Don't believe JSR...I never said anything about a "new" vehicle. I said I thought we should get the second Volvo Wagon that we just took in trade on the car lot! (I'm a Finance Manager for a car dealership.)

However, after adding up the cost of all the grooming supplies we'll need, I think we'll stick to the Volvo Wagon and the Accord Wagon (for the Goldens), that we already have! I've got every site everyone's recommended bookmarked, plus some! And, I have a written list with prices next to the sites I found the items on. We'll be broke soon.

We're currently having a discussion about a grooming table...buy a real one, use a picnic table (as I've heard others do after putting rubber non-slip matting on the top), or having him actually build one (well...I don't know about that one)!

Any more hints? Thanks for all the info so far!

 

[Elizabeth]

Building a table is fairly easy, really!
You can find banquet table legs at most hardware stores.
Get a 24"x48" piece of plywood, I think I have 3/4 inch.
Rubber matting with some kind of traction, comes on rolls at the hardware store.
Attach the legs, saw them off to the size you want, I sanded off the corners of the wood so they are rounded, and glue on your rubber matting.
I also used staples underneath.
You can buy a grooming arm separately.

Elizabeth

 

[MNnewf]

E, I think the reason Jeannie said to get the pliers type nail trimmer is because the guillotine type can actually be harmful. I can't remember exactly why, though. I think because it crushes the nail or something. I wish I could remember exactly...but I do know that I used to have a guillotine style and I read something here that made me go out and buy the other kind. Just a heads up!

 

[Elizabeth]

If the blade is dull and you don't know what you're doing, any kind of clipper can harm.
Part of it has to do with how quick you cut. A slow cut CAN be painful, a pinch feeling of sorts. Quick and they don't feel much, definitely not pain. Gracie hands her feet to me, one by one, every week.
I've used both and prefer the guillitine type.

Elizabeth

 

[Jeannie]

The blade in the guillotine type nail clipper can become dull very quickly. Then it will cut slowly crushing the nail instead of a fast clean cut. It can be painful to the dogs. Newfs have very hard nails so the plyer type is much better besides when they get dull you can send them to be sharpened.

 

[Jeannie]

I just bought a grooming table off of ebay. It is excellent. It has adjustable legs. The price was great as I got the 48" table to take to shows. The seller is bigbern1216. He makes them. They are made out if plywood not particle board that can warp. The finish is sprayed on--not a rubber mat that can allow urine and water to soak through. I am highly please with the table. Here is his ebay store ebay store for bigbern1216

 

[Elizabeth]

Wow. Never knew I didn't know anything about clippers.

E

 

[Taylor's mom]

I agree, it needs to be fun for the puppy.

With Taylor (who has passed away) and our new little Samuel we don't use a grooming table. To each their own. We sit in the living room or family room. I brush everyday (if possible) to keep it under control. We make it a fun thing with LOTS of hugs.

Another tip...we have quiet time each day and when we just lay on the floor and I pet him and hug him and talk. I also hold his paws and rub them. Between the toes and all around. I do it on all four paws and I do this everyday. When it comes time to clip his nails he doesn't give it a second thought. Our vet was very impressed by this. The vet has only done it once and otherwise we do it ourselves. I have never let anyone else groom my pets. Just a little over protective, I guess.

Good luck with your baby.

 

[Jeannie]

Sometimes I will sit on the floor and comb my newfs. Most of the time when I comb bellies I have them lie on the floor. But when I am actually trimming the dog it is so much more comfortable for me to have the dog at my level. I don't like the stiff sore back I get from sitting on the floor too long

 

[Largo]

Great info guys, thanks. I am scared to death to clip nails. I have a fine toothed comb. I like it. A course one I don't think will do the job. Baxter has a really thick puppy coat. I have been brushing and combing him every day very throughly and he still mats. The spray I use is home made for now. Its water, infusium leave in, and jojoba oil. I've seen a lot of Newfs and I have never seen a coat like this before. Even his breeder said it was different. Very thick. However, he is from Wisconsin and was born in winter. Maybe that has something to do with it. Jeannie, what was that shampoo you recommended?