fluffy2

Just saw that you said the pins on your comb were too short for a standard - I actually use these combs when combing out the jacket of a mature standard in show coat so it is probably your technique. Comb after you have slickered and do a small section at a time starting at the skin - if you find a knot tease it apart with your fingers, hold the hair above the knot and use the comb to gently comb the knot out (similar to how you would comb a childs hair) My description is not very good - do you have Shirley kalstones book - it is great.

You've gone a bit shopping mad. I only every use a pin brush on show coats everything else is done with a slicker (and my dogs have very full, exaggerated scandinavian style pants). I also comb with a normal greyhound comb - same on standard as on toys - I only ever use the giant comb when doing the jacket of a show standard - I find the smaller comb really fluffs up the coat and gets out pin knots. I would not shave a pet with a 40 unless they were a retired show dog and their skin was used to it - most salons only use a 10. I use a 15 on clients and a 30 on my dogs. I rarely use the f3 on standards. If your blades are rusting - oil them after use and wrap them to store.

Just a tiny hijack - can anyone recommend any US stores (not ebay) I buy from Petedge - but would like some other options. In particular I am after grooming ribbons and a grooming smock.

I would have to agree with the previous poster - part of aging. This certainly happens with humans. Is he napping more during the day than he used to?

I have to confess that I have always gotten up and given my young dogs a toilet break at 1am (standard poodles) I probably stop doing this around 10 months of age. Although they can hang on I think it is better for them to toilet and have a little run around and then put to bed with a pigs ear or biscuit and then they sleep until 7am which suits me

Does anyone know what the difference is between the 3 year vaccine and the yearly?