BC

If my dogs as puppies got too silly they were put in time out. Needs persistance but it worked. The simple rule, if you cant play nice you dont play at all. It they jumped or started biting (which does hurt I know) and were told NO, but continued I would pick them up without saying anything, and put them in a spare room for a few minutes and ignore them. They did calm down when let out. I only did this as when grooming my dogs I need to spray them with different sprays and I did not want them scared of the water bottle, but the water bottle also does work. Also, try not to crouch over your pup and put your face near them until they have learnt. You are asking for a headbutt, a nip and a big sloppy kiss.

Ignore Ignore. Easy to say I know, but as poodlefan says 1 toilet stop during the night at this stage is enough. If your puppy gets up again at five, time for the ear plugs and completely ignore the behaviour. It wont take long for pup to learn. (You may have to put up with this for a week or so) Mine are used to getting up around 7:30am so if they get up then and I'm not getting up yet, I say, back to bed, and they huff and puff and lie down again until I get up. It's quite funny to listen to actually, but they get up when I say it is OK (within reason of course. I would not keep them there until lunch time if they had not been to the toilet since the night prior)

Not sure if this is possible but if they have access to the laundry could you have them sleep in the laundry of a night instead of outside ?? This way you could crate them and if there is not much room just fold the crates up during the day and only get them out at night before the dogs go to bed ?

As said, I think this has become a habit which you need to break. Crating is good. Dogs generally wont go the to toilet where they sleep (unless they're busting). Remove the paper and clean the spot as Mu-Shu said and see what happens. Or prior to putting them to bed put the paper outside and stand outside with them for a few minutes and see if your pup goes on the paper outside. I use "toilet" and my dogs know what that means and go before coming inside of a night. But you need to show your puppy where you want it to go as at the moment it thinks it is doing the right thing by going on the paper in the garage. If your pup goes outside praise and then you can gradually remove the paper all together. Good luck

Hang the clothes somewhere else when you're not home, I dont think there is a real quick fix for this one. To stop the problem all together fence off the area or hang the clothes somewhere else. (Little buggers aren't they )

Yes, trim his butt. You can do this without taking a big patch out of his bum. Either do it yourself with clippers and a 10# blade, or if he keeps very still scissors, or the groomer will do this for you. As already said, nails need to be trimmed regularly, and please watch the back dew claws, if he has any, when grooming. If he has any please tell the groomer as groomers who do not check (they all should) can easily cut them off, OUCH !!!!

As Shmoo said, the best experience you can get is at a grooming salon. I know of a salon in Melbourne that runs courses for a week (costs a bit) but it is very hands on from day 1 and you dont just learn the basics, but all specific breed clips etc, as dogs are constantly coming in all day every day. You also learn how to look after all of your equipment and learn dog handling skills for all different temperaments. You will need to do some reasearch though, and find a salon with a good reputaion and see if they can offer some sort of training for you.

With any little fosters I get here that have kennel cough or are getting over it I give a little whipped cream to sooth the throat and I find they stop coughing and spluttering. (Just a little bit of cream or icecream though. Dont want any runny poos)

Yep, as the others said, be confident and ignore the nonsense. If they bite and bark I continue to ignore it and keep brushing. If they get to the point of being absolutely ridiculous I will be a little more firm with them, (not nasty) but it is something they must get used to. If you stop when they are being silly, they have won, and know that every time they do this you will stop. Easy, just dont stop, :D They will learn, it takes time but you'll get there. Also agree, nothing worse than trying to clip a dog that just wants to lie down or roll over.

I will feed my dogs left overs if we have any, but I am careful what I give them. My dogs are BARF fed so I dont make the left overs the actual meal, but if there is a little bit of left over mash, or chicken, steak etc on our plates the dogs get it. If there is enough for someone to eat the next day, it goes in the fridge

Check out www.furminator.com under deshedding tools tab, and a zoom groom is a rubber tool with rubber finger like things, which penetrate the coat and skin and removes hair and dirt. They are a KONG product I think. Cheers

Furminators are great, but not for all coats thought. I would see if you would try one somewhere before purchasing. However, by the x breeds it sounds like it would suit your dog. If the coat is like the length of a lab for example, it would work wonders. Also, they are very expensive. Just so you know.

I would also suggest to buy Dr Billinghurst's books.

Personally I would use a "furminator" (but they cost alot of money and pretty much do the same as a fine clipper blade) or a fine tooth metal comb. I find both of these can be very good with hair types such as labs, who are short haired but still have hair to get through or get out if that makes sense.

One of the staff at LDH seems to have a fondness for partially clipping dogs before they come into rescue! When the going gets tough though (like this girls feet) the matts are left on. I was going to say this little one looks like a rescue whos hair needed to be just TAKEN OFF for the time being, she does look so funny though

and my god wash, blow dry, clip and finish a dog in 20 mins?! thats damn fast. Fast alright. I clip the dog, bath, blow dry, clip again and do any scissoring and a really well behaved dog takes me about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15

I bet its never a hassel taking your dogs to the vet :p

I have been to a few vets, and am very happy with the one I have been with for the last couple of years now. They are 10 minutes from home, 24 hours (which is a big one for me), the same vet always sees me so she knows all of the history on my dogs and cats (they have about 15 vets there), their prices are pretty standard and they charge me hardly anything for any fosters I need to bring in. I have 1 cat that is a cat flu carrier, and instead of making an appointment when he needs more medication, I just call and she has it ready at the counter for me to collect that day. Very convenient, helpful, and there are many specialists there should I need them one day. I also always get an appointment that day or the next morning. :p I think I am pretty lucky after reading some horror stories

I think the wages are a big part of the shortage. I do very well running my own mobile business, and if I were to stop being mobile, I would definately go out on my own, either from home or start my own salon. The majority of my work is clipping, but I also make sure I charge a good amount for it, as I am travelling to clients houses. I have worked in a salon so it does not take me that long for a full clip, being an all off clip, or a lovely clip with a comb extention and nice shape on the entire dog. Saying that I can also have a very good day with all washes. Cutting it short, I make much more money being out on my own and mobile, working my own hours, than what I would being in a grooming salon. Cheers

I always blow dry my dogs after a bath unless it is a really hot day, I let them run around mad and dry in the sun. If using a small hairdryer, as you would with your hair, it is much hotter than a groomers dryer. Some small dogs I groom are extremely scared of the large dryer, so I get out the little one and they are much more comfortable. I just make sure I dont hold it in the one spot for too long. It does take longer but the dogs are much happier. :p

I have always used the Wahl KM2, so do not know much about the other brands. I have never had a problem and am very comfortable using these clippers on poodles, but as you are new to grooming, you may find the Andis better, as NicoleL said, as they are lighter. When you go to buy, ask if you can actually take them out of the box and feel which ones you are going to be most comfortable with.

I use chicken necks and find the dogs eat the whole thing, not just the meat.

Thanks bilby :rolleyes: These are the ones I am liking. Sparkling Cooper Cooper SS Trooper Cooper / Cooper Trooper A quick poll. Which once does everyone like best ?? CHEERS

I have found another one is shoulders. I was constantly pushing my dog away from me when I would push my left shoulder back for a stand or down command, and even a right about turn. I would get frustrated and wonder why he would lag a bit or be too far away from me in certain commands. Once this was pointed out and I corrected it he is now brilliantly heeling. You will learn to push you dog away and pull him back into you with body language aswell.......its fun to learn, especially when you see results in your dog. Footwork is a big one, confusing to learn, but once learnt it is like second nature and your dog responds to you 100% Good luck and have fun with it. You could be one up on most in the classes :rolleyes:

Yep, I've got 3 I really like, so I'll see how they go. My luck they will all be taken..............arrrrrrrrrrrrrr