science_doc Posted February 21, 2004 Posted February 21, 2004 Another dumb question, but what makes a good shampoo? Are there any brands to avoid? I have heard bad things about some Hartz products so I have been avoiding that brand. There certainly are many to choose from at the pet stores here. Hailey nails are 100% black, no hope of seeing the quick. In addition, people have told me to look for where the nail sort of opens up, if that makes sense. Her nails are so broad, flat, and thick that they "open" up right at the end where they make contact with the ground. The only clipper I have ever used is the garden shears type, too chicken to use the guillotine type. I have been thinking about buying a Dremel like tool......I'm just not sure she will sit still for that either, but I think I'm going to try anyway. Quote
imported_Cassie Posted February 21, 2004 Author Posted February 21, 2004 science_doc As for bathing and how often...for the Newf's I bath them once a month...for most dogs we recommend every 3 months. If you are going to bath more often pick up a nice gentle shampoo...perhaps at your vet clinic...or ask a groomer if you could buy some nice oatmeal shampoo off them. The shampoo we use at the shop is ordered in...we don't sell the products...but, some groomers do. Now, with my Rottweiler, I bathe her once a year wheather she needs it or not! :lol: she is a very clean dog. As for a high velocity dryer...when we are using them on the dogs we have them on a grooming table...so they are more concerned about being on top of a table than the fact there is a dryer on them, they also have a noose around their neck... :lol: we do get dogs which are very nervous of the dryer...for them, I usually hold the nozzle of the hose facing the floor then slowly bring it up under the dogs chest...and work from the bottom up..I use one hand to hold the nozzle of the dryer and the other to tickle the dogs chest..once they calm down and seem to be alright with the dryer on their chest and belly I work up to their back etc. for the dogs feet, I hold each paw up individually...or if they are really dancing on the table, I will hold them around the neck and hug them so I can get the feet done... If we have a dog which is really really bad for the dryer we have a big dryer we can set up in front of their kennel and put it on...this will help dry them...but, it won't blow out the under coat....so then a good brushing after ward is required. We also have alot of dogs which are very sensitive around their feet...for them we ask the owners to work on this with us by desensitizing the dog to humans handling their feet. A dogs paws are very important to them...it's basically instinct to protect their paws...if we start grooming a dog while it is young we usually do not have any problems with the feet as the dogs get used to having them handled. What I would do if I were you is to start handling your dogs paws often...start by massaging the dogs back and neck...work down to the tail...then slowly massage down each leg, not touching the paws at first...if your dog shows discomfort as you work down the legs...work back up them and to the back again...then once again start down the legs...do this each evening until your dogs starts looking forward to it...soon you will be able to work down the legs, massage the paws...and massage each toe. Dont leave this on a bad note the first few times...if your dog gets upset due to a touchy area...move to an area he enjoys. This will also get your dog used to your touching its paws for nail trimming...I did this with my Rottie and Dobie when I first took them in....they both would almost tear you apart when you tried to touch their feet...it worked like a charm. Now both will lay down for me and I massage them then while I am massaging the paws I snip a nail, massage, snip, massage.... :lol: At the grooming facility we don't have time to get a dog desensitized for nail trimming....some times we will hold the dog in a hug and the groomer will trim each nail...or if its a small dogs we hold it on our lap like a baby...and hold its head away from the person clipping....or some times you can blow in the dogs nose...this is if your by your self...blow in the nose then clip, I don't know if the dog is reacting to our bad breath...or if it just distracts them for a split second...but, it works for us. Some times with a black nail, you can either look at the under side of the nail for the hollow part...or you can view it from a side angle...the part that curls down is the part you want to clip...just under where it starts to curl..where it gets slimmer...does that make sense... :lol: when I am clipping nails I come across all kinds of different nail types... I don't understand why, but most of the odor seems to come from her head? science_doc, have you checked her ears and teeth..some times dirty ears can smell like dirty socks...if so, they are possibly infected. Hailey HATES the blow drying part, but the shop only provides 2 towels, so she is pretty wet following the bath correct me if I'm wrong...but, isnt Hailey a husky??? if so, alot of huskys give us a hard time. :wink: they sound like you are torturing them as you are bathing and blow drying. Where HF is a groomer she will be able to suggest some better ideas to you...I'm just a lowly bath/blow dryer... Quote
drjeffrock Posted February 21, 2004 Posted February 21, 2004 [quote name='science_doc']. I have been thinking about buying a Dremel like tool......I'm just not sure she will sit still for that either, but I think I'm going to try anyway. Well, I am still working with Dexter, but Kira does not mind it anymore at all. LOL, if I can get Dex to relax then anything is possible! Here is a pretty informative link to using a dremel-type tool. http://www.greytalk.com/~jrosenberg/dremel/dremel.htm Quote
DogPaddle Posted February 21, 2004 Posted February 21, 2004 Hoping for some more info here. All of Zaphod's nails are black so I trim by guess and very conservatively. I can easily keep Kavik's short and neat by walking him on the sidewalk or parking lot briskly but Zaphod's seem to be harder. Is there any general rule on how short/long to trim nails? He is so good about having his nails trimmed now that I don't want to ruin it. :oops: Quote
gooeydog Posted February 21, 2004 Posted February 21, 2004 The parrot trick often works nicely. Most times, I can drape a towel or blanket over the front of the kennel (the only part that's open... the rest of it is enclosed) and the dog will usually eventually settle down and go to sleep. Of course, there are always a few who don't. Some will just bark bark bark at nothing their entire stay. For some reason, it really doesn't bother me that bad unless it's one with that shrill, high pitched squeal. HF, meet Goo.... Goo, meet HF :lol: She's a screechy bellower, starts out as a screech, ends as a low, loud bellow.... enough to make even me want to gag her with a sock after a bit. The blanket trick failed on all accounts, she pulled it through in several places and shredded it to peek out again :roll: . When she goes in for shots or a bath or whatever (the grooming area is in the back of the vet clinic, so it's all in the same general area), she gets shut in the biters ward (a door on each end to muffle her) and the radio goes on to drown her out. Needless to say, we try to make Goo's visits there as short as possible (she was kept shut in the basement kennels there for 2 months before we got her, so she does have reason not to like being there) :roll: :lol: DP, try taking him out to walk/run on the pavement the day or the day after you cut his nails... the tip is the hardest part to wear through, so if that's already been cut off, it's easier to wear them down. Also, if he's sound (no HD or similar physical problems), a game of catch in a tennis court or the like can really wear down nails fast. As far as clipping, use small cuts to work your way up the nail until you can see the quick in the nail... it should be a little pink, gray, or white "meaty" spot in the center. Also, science_doc, The guillotine clippers have to be kept really sharp or they have a tendency to squeeze the nail before the blade finally cuts through, which pinches the quick. It's possible that's what happened. Quote
Horsefeathers! Posted February 21, 2004 Posted February 21, 2004 [quote name='science_doc']I have some really basic questions about dog grooming. We have a Dog-o-mat here where I live, this is just a do it yourself dog wash. I like it mostly because it keeps the mess out of my tiny apartment. They have tubs and a drying room, lots of cool brushes, etc. pretty neat idea! I hope you guys don't mind me asking, but I like cleaning up Hailey myself, just more time for us to bond. Science doc, I think grooming, even if that means just baths and upkeep, is a great way for owners and pets to bond. :) #1 - How often is too often to bathe a dog? I find that Hailey get's a bit smelly after 2 weeks, but this seems a bit frequent for washes. This is a pretty general statement; there are always exceptions, but I always say to just wash them as often as needed. Some dogs like my Lab only get a bath maybe once or twice a year just because he doesn't need it more, but some like my Devin get a bath a couple of times a week. He has really bad allergies and we are trying to keep contact/inhalant allergies to a minimum. If Hailey stinks, wash her. I know this is a given, but you want to make sure the smell isn't indicative of something else going on. You say it seems to come from her head. Be sure there's nothing going on inside her ears or her mouth. If it's just doggy smell, I don't think washing every couple of weeks will hurt a thing if you feel like doing it. The biggest thing is rinse rinse rinse. Not rinsing thoroughly, IMO, is one if the quickest ways to create a problem with frequent baths. She also howls like the devil when I trim her nails, so much so that one person has to feed treats while the other rapidly tries like heck to trim her nails. I was wondering how common this is with dogs? I know that many cats HATE people touching their feet. I didn't own her as a puppy so I don't know her history, but I do know that the shape of her nails bugs me. Instead of comming to points, they are very flat and wide at the bottom and so this makes them tough to clip. To make matters worse they are black! So at nail clipping time I am way cautious about taking off too much and getting the quick. Anyway I was wondering if dog nails are a wide variety of shapes or if her nails were poorly trimmed or worse not trimmed at all leading to this funky shape. It's not uncommon for dogs to hate to have their feet touched. As for her nails (if I'm visualizing this right), I see many dogs, mostly larger dogs, whose nails are shaped that way. Thick all the way to the ends. About the only thing I can suggest is to just constantly nick at them. Just take off a little at a time, but do it frequently. Hopefully, that will accomplish getting her nails worked back as well as maybe her eventually getting more comfortable with it. The thing about nail trimmers and where I sometimes see people upset their dogs... be sure the trimmer is a good, SHARP one. Then line up that nail as quickly as possible and just SNAP if off where you want it. I see many people just kind of whittling away on nails and sort of pinching down with the clipper before finally deciding to clip. I'm sure that has to be uncomfortable and is probably one reason some dogs hate it. This may not be an option, but I do know of several dogs who absolutely go berserk at just the sight of a nail trimmer, but tolerate a Dremel tool (grinder) well. It really doesn't make sense to me that a dog who hates its feet touched would tolerate something buzzing and grinding, but I can think of several right off the top of my head who DO tolerate it. Maybe worth a shot (maybe not...)? Good luck and skritches to Hailey. :) Quote
Horsefeathers! Posted February 21, 2004 Posted February 21, 2004 gooeydog napisał(a):HF, meet Goo.... Goo, meet HF :lol: *walks in, gives Goo a skritch and quickly departs* 8) Quote
courtnek Posted February 22, 2004 Posted February 22, 2004 Hey SD! long time no talk to.... as far as baths, both of mine have short short hair, and I only bathe them twice a year, spring and fall..they have a pool in the yard that they lay in in the summer and dry off in the sun. bad smells coming from the head could be an ear infection...you might want to look into that. Could also be teeth and gums. as far as nails, my Foxhound's are exactly as you described. Just as thick and flat at the base as at the tip. All of her nails are black, which is why I dont trim them, and they are HARD AS A ROCK....my Labs nails are what I always considered normal, some black but mostly clear, and mid-type thickness. I have never had a dog with Nails like Laurel's... they are so hard you cant cut them with the guillotine type clippers, they wont budge, even at the tip. They have to dremmel them off at the vet's ofice. I dont know if that's from six years of field hunting or not....maybe they get stronger? no clue...... Quote
DogPaddle Posted February 22, 2004 Posted February 22, 2004 Thanks for the tips on the nails. I'll try trimming the tips and THEN going for our pavement time and see how that works. Quote
science_doc Posted February 22, 2004 Posted February 22, 2004 Thanks so much for all the suggestions :P Hailey sure appreciates all the help. I check/clean her ears lots and I do look in her mouth at her teeth, don't think I see anything unusual going on. I do have problems getting her to chew on stuff for some reason she just isn't into chewing. I have tried lots of different things, but so far, nothing but greenies. When I buy her rawhides, she just licks them and then forgets them. I bought her the cow bones with the marrow still inside. She eats all the marrow and forgets about the bone. So based on all this I do worry about her teeth, but the vet said they look pretty good at her last check up. All that being said, I'm pretty sure what come from her head is just "doggie" odor. I have read that hound dogs tend to have more odor than other breeds? I have no idea if that's true, but when people see Hailey, they often ask if she is a beagle or hound mixed with a husky. I am just going to buy the Dremmel. If that doesn't work I'm going to go buy larger/sharper clippers.......I think the idea that I'm pinching the nail a bit before I clip is right on the money......silly me I never thought that might not feel to good :cry: I think trying the massage technique will be fun for me and relaxing for Hailey so that sounds good too! again, thanks so much to everyone! Quote
courtnek Posted February 22, 2004 Posted February 22, 2004 I have read that hound dogs tend to have more odor than other breeds? I have no idea if that's true its true....I didnt know Hailey was a hound. They do have a specific odor "all their own" that other dogs dont have. It's actually called "Hound smell"...I have been told that that smell is to make them "invisible" to the prey they are hunting..it's a musky smell, and smells more like a fox or a or a small hunted critter...Laurel has it. I've gotten used to it , but it took a while... Laurel is a Foxhound, by the way. I have friends with Beagles who say the same thing..."they smell funny..." Quote
mouseatthebusstop Posted February 22, 2004 Posted February 22, 2004 when we took Poppy to the vets she would always piddle as soon as she was up on the table--even if I made sure she did one before we went in - I think it was a fear thing Quote
imported_Cassie Posted February 22, 2004 Author Posted February 22, 2004 Kiwi, we have alot of soft-coated wheatens in for grooming...they seem to be getting very popular. I am not a groomer myself, but, I am sure HF will give you some grooming tips...I do know one thing....they have to be blown out straight...we have some that come in which have pretty wavy coats...to being almost curly. The groomer scissors alot with these dogs...she said the face is not hard to do. She keeps a few of the Wheatens in show trim (these dogs are shown, not just pets)...she always swears she will not do "show dogs"...but, she keeps on getting breeders begging her to keep their dogs in show trim. :-? she stated that if the dog does not win....its the groomer who is blamed.... :-? Good luck with your new interest...what my boss will do for people who want to learn how to keep their dogs in a certain trim...she will have them come in and she shows them how to groom their own dog...for most pet owners, they try to groom their own dogs a couple of times then end up coming back to having the dog done :lol: Quote
Horsefeathers! Posted February 23, 2004 Posted February 23, 2004 Cassie napisał(a):Kiwi, we have alot of soft-coated wheatens in for grooming...they seem to be getting very popular. I am not a groomer myself, but, I am sure HF will give you some grooming tips... In the five years I've owned my salon I can think of, hmmm, lemme think... oh yeah, exactly NO Wheatens that have come through. I am in a really rural area and we don't get very many "exotics" (which a Wheaten would be considered here). I have trained on them while learning to groom before and am fairly familiar with the breed standard and profile just by shows, seminars and reading (I try to learn as much as possible about as many breeds as possible even if I never see one in my salon), but have no personal experience with them. Probably the most "exotic" breed I've ever done was a Bedlington Terrier. :oops: Cassie, your boss sounds like she rocks. She seems to be the kind of groomer I aspire to be. Quote
Horsefeathers! Posted February 23, 2004 Posted February 23, 2004 Hey, Cassie, are you guys thinking about attending the trade show in Hershey, PA this year? I may be going. I usually go to the one in Atlanta, but I don't think I'm going to be able to get away to go (it's in two weeks). Since I always commit to at least one trade show a year, I may try to get to Hershey in the fall and it may be my competition debut. It seems like I read somewhere that you guys had considered going. Quote
imported_Cassie Posted February 23, 2004 Author Posted February 23, 2004 Another seminar...that sounds wonderful. My boss hasnt mentioned it to us...she usually receives a brochure or booklet from the dog groomers assoc. regarding these seminars. If we do go, I'll let you know...it would be wonderful to meet you. I am really interested in attending any holistic seminars and or the aggression seminars (they had offered these at the Hershy, PA seminar) my boss told me they don't always offer these classes :-? My boss is a really wonderful groomer, I am sure the two of you would have lots to talk about. I think it would be great to watch you compete....will you be using one of your own dogs to compete with...I think my boss borrowed a dog for her competition...she had to get it a few months before the competition. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.