giraffez

Yep using Forceps blunt end & pluck clean.We only pluck when we clip the ears,We use a #30/40 .

Did the breeder pluck its ears when it left??

Breeder demonstrated how to pluck..... it escaped me on the day to ask how clear it should be.

How far should i go down. my rule of thumb is as long as the hair is visible, it can be plucked. Is that correct way of doing it.

By the way, when my little boy was sleeping tonight, i did try to use my fingers to pluck it out and amazingly it did come out.... i kept thinking it would slip without twissors.

Thanks all. Looks like bones will take care of it for me!

Do you brush your dog's teeth. If so, how often and what brand of toothpaste do you recommend?

If dog constantly chewing bones, is it still necessary to brush the teeth?

ditto! Thanks for that.

I always pluck the ears keep them clean is a lot easier. use your thunb and fore finger and gently pluck hair from ear until clean or dog has had enough.

I've been using a twissers and its worked quite well except i don't see any less hair inside the ear (he seems to be hairy hairy ). I don't think i can pull any out by hand as its slips off - is this really possible?

How often should ear plucking be done? Too often and it would cause irritation wouldn't it?

It would seem that some vets come by some very strange information - and I don't know where they get it from. I doubt it is from personal experience!

What the vet told me is that she has had many cases where the dog gets ear infections from plucking... she she recommended epi otic instead. But as settlvr mentioned, it could get moist inside the ear with the epi otic.

I don't want to be pointing scissors inside the ear as it could hurt the dog if he suddenly shakes

Thanks all.

But i still don't have the answer as to whether it will damage the clippers if i oil them, run it for 30 seconds and then use it on my dog. My concern is that far will get stuck in the blade because there is oil.

One more thing, now that my pup has had the 12 weeks vaccination. Does that mean in two weeks time, i can take him to the park or for a walk in the neigbourhood (for two weeks)... and then at 16 weeks he is back indoors for another 2 weeks until the 16 week vaccination takes effect?

Thanks for clarifying that. I guess its better safe than sorry

isn't there worms in raw pork? I've got the same issue myself. We picked up some good pork bones but i am still hesitant whether to give it to my pup in the raw state. I think beef won't be as bad as raw beef for human consumption is fine... whereas pork can make you really sick if not fully cooked

I very very rarely bother to oil my blades and the chap who sharpens them for me says the blades are in great condition!

But without the oil I find it quite noisy. I brought the wahl km2.

If you oil before and during use, wouldn't the fur stick to the blade?

The noise is the clipper over working. One of the main reasons for oiling is to minimise the load on the clipper. If the blades do not move freely then the clipper drive and motor will wear out prematurely.

Really?? My clippers are brand new and it was only on and off for 8 mins altogether before it gave the sound. 8 mins is not long to be classified as overworking is it?

I thought the sound was natural of clippers and a sign of needing oil.... but then again, I could be wrong as I am new to this

My vet was telling me today that no one should be plucking the dog's ears (even groomers) because it can cause ear infection. If i don't pluck, is epi- otic ear wash sufficient?

Epi otic i wouldnt use & your vet doesnt want you to pluck so they can get good vet bills.

Schnauzers need there ears plucked & if you dont there is no point filling them with liquid.The liquid wont get down & it will build up leaving the ear moist & there is the infection.

I would ask your vet what they would do if your dog gets a bad ear infection.I dare say the answer will be knock it out & pluck.Hear it all the time .

We dont flush our dogs ears out.They are plucked every time we groom & flsuhed out then but we dont do unnecessary ear cleaning & dont use epi otic,it leaves the ears to moist .

Discuss this with your breeder

How much hair do i pluck out? I've been plucking a few out here and there in my grooming sessions with my pup and he doesn't mind it but i don't seem to see reduction in hair! the ear is hairy.... do i pluck all the hair out and is this really necessary or just the bushy stuff. Is there a photo on the net that you can show me what an ideal plucked ear looks like so i have a reference.

My vet was telling me today that no one should be plucking the dog's ears (even groomers) because it can cause ear infection. If i don't pluck, is epi- otic ear wash sufficient?

I'm seeing the 12 weeks vaccine as pointless in that case if they need three. Theoretically, if the pup isn't going to go out walking or to the park and stay mostly indoors and inside the yard, there is no point in getting 12 weeks vaccine. Its like get the vaccine for only 2 weeks protection (ie. take the vaccine at 12 weeks but its only effective 2 weeks later) ... 2 weeks after it takes effect, you need to make another trip to the vet for another one and another $100 for the vet and potentially an overkill on the chemical for the pup!

Am i missing something here?

here you go http://clipperbladesharpening.webs.com/bladeclipperhints.htm

Thanks for that

I very very rarely bother to oil my blades and the chap who sharpens them for me says the blades are in great condition!

But without the oil I find it quite noisy. I brought the wahl km2.

If you oil before and during use, wouldn't the fur stick to the blade?

i just went for my pups 2nd shot. It was a virbac.... and the vet said he must have a 3rd one in 1 months time......

I didn't realise there were different manufacturers of the vaccine and that it had different functions (until now)... i thought c5 was standard across. If i had known, i would have went for a vet that only needed the 2nd shot. That way my pup would be able to go out walking sooner and to the parks earlier.

i wonder why vets don't choose the vaccine that only requires the 2 shots ... $$$ is one think off..... are there benefits or disadvantages of the manufacturers which make the vaccines for only requiring 2?

my pup loves pig ear, deer ears. anything like that. I also have biscuit treats that help out his teeth.

what biscuit treats do you use? I have been looking for some but they seem to have poor ingredients like by products and corn meal ..... So the only dry food i give are the kibbles... but i want variety so any recommendations on biscuits would be fab.

When my pup left the breeder, it had the c5. Why it is not safe to walk the puppy until the 2nd vaccination? Normally the c5 last of an entire year... so the purpose of the 2nd c5 is.....?

How do you oil your clippers?

I have conflicting information where one source says:

Turn the clipper upside down and put 3 drops between the teeth of the blade. Turn the motor on

The other source says:

Turn the clipper on with the clipper the right side up (ie blade facing the sky) and put 3 drops between the teeth of the blade. Turn the motor on.

Do you usually oil before or after a clip? If oiling before, wouldn't hair get stuff on the oil?

Thanks for the tips all. Appreciate your advice.

in 25 yrs of grooming i have never used an arm or body holder,no need too.

What am I doing to make him nervous ?... i don't think its me laugh.gif i think its the sound of the clippers. so yep, i'm blaming it on the clippers

It wont be the clippers but i guarantee the way you are holding.

I gather you have a mat for pup to stand on??

But most of the time its when i turn the clippers on he makes the jump onto my shoulders.

Yeah I have a slip free mat which he stands on

He is a young baby still, give him time and you work on the basics, there is no need to be using the clippers or scissoring around his eyes yet, he's already had one trim and some minis will go several months before they have a first trim.

Just keep the grooming sessions short.

What are you doing to make him nervous?

Sorry i think i am giving the wrong impression that i am doing the clipping everyday/frequently. I have only started to clip the bum this week and not planning to clip his body. i want to get Teddy used to the sound of the clippers while he is young.... the next full clip will not be required until a couple of months later..... i want to expose him to this so when he is ready for his full clip, he won't be too nervous.

Same with scissoring. I'm finding its actually paying off for both the puppy and myself. I am gaining confidence while teddy is simply getting accustomed to the process. He is not afraid of it any more like when we first brought him home. Most of the time, I just use the side of the scissors to touch the area between his nose and eyes so he can get use to the feeling... not actually cutting anything.

I know it takes time but I just want to make sure I am doing it correctly to lessen any nervous-ness (if there is such a word )

What am I doing to make him nervous ?... i don't think its me i think its the sound of the clippers. so yep, i'm blaming it on the clippers

Do you use a grooming arm with a neck noose and a lower body noose to hold him on the table?

no, my so call grooming table is simply the top of my washing machine I know a grooming arm and neck noose will make it easier but I don't think i should be using that as the dog should know to stand still eventually

Usually i can groom the side i am standing facing..... but when i do the other side, he switches back. I tried moving to the other side so I"m facing the other side, but he follows me and switches around.

To be honest i dare say your lack of experience is whats the biggest issue.

It wont stand like a robot as yet BUT you must be consistent in what you expect.

When pup jumps up which is very normal calmly but confidently place back down using your command word"stand" & just keep at it.If it continues to wiggle a firm but gentle argh is used & stand.

Pup will stand BUT many have a tainty but dont give up during this stage or bribe ,Its your terms only .

Also consider the technique your using & the way your holding ,if pup isnt secure it will panic

We dont bribe any of our pups when grooming.it marks it harder & longer & they expect it all the time & there is no need too,

Your

Yes I agree that my lack of experience is giving my pup the advantage The breeder made it seem like a piece of cake... or maybe he was being an angel so we would take him home

I try to secure the pup by using my hand and wrapping it under the jaw. I find this does not give me much control though... as soon as he struggles, I lose my hold. I noticed in the schnauzer pet days, the groomers grabbed the beard... but Teddy's beard is not long enough. What is the correct way of controlling the pup

I must say he is doing well with me clipping the hair on the side of his eyes.... 2 weeks ago, I couldn't get my scissors anywhere near that area. Now he would stay still for a while. Never the less a big improvement

This worked for my mini poodle when I had to get him used to the clippers and grooming... Firstly, lots of little treats at the ready. I would basically sing through the whole thing, sounds weird, but the idea was to keep a steady flow of happy sounds... not any actual song, just silly made-up stuff about what a good boy he was. If he moved, I'd keep singing, gently place him where I wanted him, immediate treat, and keep going.

He freaked out over the clippers at first, so I gave a treat, and just turned the clippers on, another treat (plus the stupid singing). When he was okay with that, I rubbed the back of the clippers over him while they were on, again lots of treats. Once he was okay with the clippers on and rubbing on him, I turned them over for a little clip, quick treat, another clip, quick treat until he wasn't bothered by them at all.

One of my best investments was the Wahl Pocket Pro, a small battery operated clipper. The blade is only about 2cm wide. It's fantastic for faces and quick touch ups. Might be worth looking into as it's much less invasive than a huge clipper coming at them

Good luck

I think if I sing, he will probably wish he had ear plugs in

I tried treats but when he is on the grooming table, he doesn't eat it. He is doing much better compared to when i first got him... i was initially bitten everytime I touched him. Now he is a lot calmer but there is still a distance to go.