First up, I know I could hunt through previous threads and glean what I need to know, but I was hoping a few poodle owners could give me a precise, as it were, of basic poodle grooming needs.

My newest pooch is not exactly show quality stuff - he's not exactly a poodle, even! But I'm assured that he is at least half-poodle and I am just not used to his kind of coat. He is 'poodlely' over most of his wee little bod, and I do want him to look his best as his fur starts to grow back from the clip he got about 2 months ago. How long does it take to grow to maximum fluffyness?

Should I get more than a brush and 'rake' for his daily grooming? Should I be using a dry shampoo on him at all? He is a lovely milk-chocolate colour - does poodle fur fade in the summer? - is there any grooming product to help prevent this?

Howdy Yappy,

That is one cute dog! He looks like he may have a brown poodle in his ancestory but I'm not sure where he got those ears!

Firstly does he shed? If he doesn't, then he will never achieve "maximum fluffiness" It will just keep growing!

The best item for this kind of coat (if it is non-shedding) is a "slicker brush" - go for one of the softer ones. These are also the bomb for removing burrs from coat. A metal comb (recommend half fine/half medium width) is very useful for combing out knots and longer hair.

I wouldn't bother with dry shampoo - it only clogs the coat. If he gets really grubby, you can always rinse off the worst with just plain water or wash the grubby parts.

I'd recommend a conditioning shampoo (Exelpet make a pretty good one if you want a supermarket one) or you could go for a brown colour enhancing one. I could bore you for hours with discussing shampoos (one symptom of a poodle tragic) but anything from Biogroom or Plush Puppy is good. Biogroom make one called "Fluffy Puppy" that is mild and adds volume to the coat.

Most poodles are clipped (feet, face, tail and tummy) and washed and blow waved dry. Most people get get their poodles clipped every 6-8 weeks. I do mine myself and its more like every 2-3 weeks (another poodle tragic symptom).

Happy grooming!

Thank you poodlefan - that's just what I needed. Yes, Teddy Bear sure is a cutey - the PAWS lady I got him from said he looks like his 'makers' ran out of poodle-fixin's when they got to his neck, and just stiched on some left-over bits of terrier for his head!!!




He doesn't shed - not that I've noticed - he has this lovely soft fur, and kind of looks like a lamb, but the 'fleece' is not as thick as a lamb's.



I sort of suspected as much - thanks for putting me straight.



Well, I would like to try that - I meant it when i said I want him to look his best - he's had a bit of a hard life at times - I want to spoil him!!! (even if he doesn't actually LIKE having a bath!)



That sounds like the go - well, "Gone to the Dogs Superbarn" here I come (Just what I needed - another excuse to shop online.)

Yappy, let me check out the slickers at GTTD and I'll recommend one if you like.

I bought a Zafari? one from GTTD that is the most comfortable one I've found..

Edited to add.. its a Safari..

Here it is at GTTD.

http://www.gonetothedogs.com.au/shop/produ...4&ProcessType=5

Teddy Bear might have some Cairn or Westie in him - that would explain the terrier add ons..

awh he is a cutie

How exactly do you clip a poodle? I take it the Rozzie special the Maltese, Silky and whatever other poor sods are in clipper distance would not do.... I really didn't mean to get the Belgian...
Guess if I really bugger Louis up it's only two weeks between a bad haircut and a good one.

Clipping routines vary Rozzie,

First I catch a dog... the sight of the grooming apron is enough to send two of mine into a hasty retreat.

I use a 30# or a 15# blade (depending on the dog) to clip the muzzle, feet, tail (below the pom pom and around the botty) and tummy from the last rib back. I also have a toe blade which is much narrower and I use that to clip between the pads on the underside of the paw.

Then its into the bath tub. Squeeze the anal glands under the running tap (eeuuu). Wash the victim in whatever shampoo is my current whim, then towel dry and onto the grooming table. I use the hose from my dryer to remove the excess water then remove the hose and brush all the hair on the body, head, legs, ears and tail straight under the dryer nozzle. I use the slicker for this. When I had a dog in show coat, all the long hair on the head and jacket was done with a pin brush as that is more gentle.

Then I clip the body - blade varys on time of year and dog (I tend to have different coat lengths on different dogs for different seasons) I start behind the head pom pom which ends at the back of the ears and clip the neck down the length of the body, then I do the chest. I usually shape from the shoulders and hips down onto the legs to get an even look. Then its scissor the legs, and trim the head pom, ears and tail pom...I used both curved and straight scissors for various parts - the curved ones are great for shaping poms.

Then I have a stiff drink, check out the dog and repair any obvious damage I've done!

And we spend the next week commiserating on Teddy's racing stripes.. Lily's mishapen bott.. and well, Darcy doesn't need any help from poodlefan to look a bit silly

Harsh FHR... very harsh.

Ted actually has one back leg wider than the other today.. more repairs tonight.

FHR's been having a few lessons, she can clip a muzzle and the body - very handy for Vizslas and Whippets (NOT)

You WHAT the WHAT-now??????????????????????????????????

Yep, yappy I squeeze the boy's anal glands to empty them as they tend to fill up and get very smelly. It also prevents spontaneous expression of fluid at inopportune times. My old groomer did this and I've fallen into the habit. Done under running water, its no problem.

Lily the toy poodle, being a lady, doesn't tend to have this issue - she doesn't have to endure this process.

Ah the joys of poodle grooming - you had no idea what you'd started with this thread.

Oh BTW, I do ear plucking and nails about once a week....

... :takes notes:

Hi Vehs,
Are you planning a lamb clip on Dieter?

not on my beautiful boy!

Although when he was in the salon with me the other day I said if anyone slips and shaves a little bit off him I will never forgive them!

That's right Vehs.. forgot you worked in a salon.

The absolute BIBLE of poodle grooming is a book by Shirlee Kalstone called (not surprisingly) Poodle Clipping and Grooming.

Here's the link on Amazon but last time I checked Dymocks carried it and you can sometimes buy it at stands at Dog Shows. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-h...1862530-3195941

Much of the book is devoted to show grooming but there are step by step pics on how to do a pet clip (including scissoring) and a really good section of disguising faults with some very unfortunate looking poodles.

Lots of interesting pet clips in this book! Also all the good oil on what tools you need and even advice on starting out in pro grooming.

When I did my first clips I used to groom with the book open and follow the steps and the pictures.. (FHR would argue that I still should be )

Edited to add - looks like link failed... here's the info:

Poodle Clipping and Grooming : The International Reference (Howell Reference Books)
by Shirlee Kalstone

Thanks for that poodle fan I will have a squiz

Unfortunately anyone who keeps their dogs in good nick (like yourself) does all the work at home, all we seem to get is poor, neglected, matted dogs - had one in the other day almost as bad and Jack's JiKan, no injuries however.

It is such a treat to get a nicely looked after dog in, we can spend the time it would take to 'clean them up/getting through the matts' to making this dog look perfect.

We never get 'fancy' clips in, well not when I'm working there, but I am still such a beginner, so maybe that's the reason . My fave clip is the Westie - no legs and feet!

I follow books too - and show the owner the pics in there so we are both clear on what they want.

Hope you charge extra for dematting and badly tangled dogs Vehs.. nothing like money to encourage people to keep up the grooming.

Its the lack of regular visits that seems to end up with bad matting. My former groomer wouldn't take anyone on who didn't have their dogs clipped AT LEAST every 6 weeks - and her books are full! She wasn't at all shy about giving people a stern talking to about lack of grooming at home either.

OK - I never thought in my wildest (and weirdest) dreams I would EVER be asking a question like this - but (and you know, there just aren't enough Vomit.gif's in the world for this one!!! ) PoodleFan, how does one go about ---- god, I can't say it --- how does one ----squeeze ----the ----(oh GAAAAAAAAAAAAAWD) ---anal glands?

Teddy is getting a very strange and unpleasant kind of smell - though he does look GORGEOUS after a bath with his new Fluffy Puppy Shampoo, Essentials Conditoner and new slicker brush thingy.

Go on - give me a squeeze-by-retch description - I can take it. :drunk: :drunk:

...... rubber gloves first!

Way ahead of you there Vehs!

HE,he!! Poodlefan!! Well done!!

You forgot tho--while sipping you have to watch the little blighter shake the smooth look all uneven after that first trim!!

Specially a show poodle clip anyways!!

I have Kalstone's book and it is easy to follow tho old fashioned!!

Can't wait for the anal glands episode

If you ever changed a baby's nappy........
people do grow used to such things, and after my first (pet) poodle had an impacted anal gland removed, I FAST learned and it's not so bad---under running water--tho the glasses sure mist up!!

Ok Yappy and V.A.H, here we go (here's a post I never thought I would do)

However, I would caution that this is something that you really need to see done a couple of times... nothing like hands on experience Get your vet to show you..

Gloves are for sissies by the way!

Dog into washing place, run the tap warm.

Feel around the dog's anus with your thumb and forefinger.. do this gently or you might get a nasty "spontaneous" surprise..

At around the four o'clock and eight o'clock position (think of a clock face) you should be able to feel two slight bulges..probably about a centimetre or so from the opening of the anus - these are the glands. What you want to do is put your thumb and finger on the outside of the glands and push in behind them and then up towards the opening of the anus in a kind of 'milking' movement - the trick is slow and steady pressure not hard or sharp.

If you get this right you will get a secretion from the anal glands. The secretion will vary in consistency from very liquid (kind of looks like coffee) to almost like tooth paste. This can almost erupt out or arrive more slowly. When I do it it basically deposits on my hand which I then rinse under the tap and do the dog's bum while I'm there. Some people do it into a tissue but I prefer to rinse if off. I don't find it particularly smelly or unpleasant - but I'm probably used to it.

Safety tips - have the dog's bum facing slightly away from you - this stuff ain't nice in your face as a friend of mine can attest to. You will be doing this by feel and not by sight anyway.

If nothing arrives under gentle pressure, STOP. You are either squeezing the gland and not opening it or there's nothing in it. Some books provide explanations of this practice with pics BTW

Oh, by the way, Teddy will tell you if you're not getting it right. This is a very sensitive area on a dog - too much pressure and it hurts them.

OK V.A.H - how did I go! [I'm picturing readers feeling their dogs bums ]

How are you finding the Slicker yappy? Is it black and green? I find them a really nice fit in your hand..

I like the Essentials brand stuff - reasonable priced too. The coat oil is lovely!

Gasp ...splutter... Thanks for that poodlefan - you are legend!!! But guess what - I've decide to forgo the obvious and down-right sexy pleasures you descibe in your post, and get a professional anal gland squeezer in to do the job. Don't want to cross any demarcation lines now, do we.

The slicker I got from Gone to the Dogs is fabulous, but they didn't have the one's you recommended in stock. A very pleasant woman from GttDs rang me and explained (within about 2 hours of placing my order - what great service!!!) and I bought an English model slicker - er, a slicker made in England, not Naomie-
thingummy's hair-brush ) Teddy looks quite the little fluff ball when I've 'slicked' him.

Must get some of that coat oil - what's the one that you said smells like cheese-cake?

Can you recommend a poodle-groomin', anal gland squeezin' place in Canberra?

Thanks again for taking the time to answer - I'm sure it wasn't wasted as that info will now be here on DOL for anyone else foolish enough to want to try "the procedure" (heavy, dum-da-dum-dum piano music ) - and you'll never have to post about it again .... Take care

It's along time since my poodle - but I found that regular brushing - like every second day - helps to keep coat soft and free of matting. A good brush before bathing seemed to help too.

Used one of those brushes with the blunt "spikes" and the rubber base which was fairly soft and would give alittle under pressure - seemed to be more gentle on the skin.

No way I could afford clipping every 6 weeks! Used to get a short "kennel clip" about 3-4 times a year and do lots of grooming at home. No complaints from the lady who did the clipping.

Used to file the nails - black ones - in front of tv - is that poodle mania?

cheers

As for the anal gland expression would diet help that?
Eg pugs are known for the need to have them expressed too and I'd always been told plenty of roughable eg raw wings and chicken necks ?
Have had a few slicks (no , not nice especially on the way out the door to the Drs appt etc LOL) but only a couple of times.

My vet suggested giving our mini poodle 'Metamusil' (fibre supplement for humans) to help stop his anal galnds getting too full. Messy, gluggy stuff and I ended up reverting to poodlefan's technique as it was easier. No more scooting along.