sheena

My girl, whom we gave her wings, was having trouble breathing & everything was an effort, which was so out of character for her being an active border collie. We thought it was her advanced kidney failure taking her out, until I brought it to the vet's attention that her abdomen was quite extended. It took an ultrasound to determine that she had a tumour on her heart which was pressing on her trachea & her abdomen & lungs were filling with fluid. I hope this is not the case with your guy.

I might go & get a pair. At that price I have nothing to lose. Otherwise I will just continue to do it with the scissors

Best to think of the dog & don't get one if you are going to be home for just a few weeks of the year. Not fair on the dog. I am surprised you are even considering it

Is all this equipment & spare battery etc. needed when I just intend to use it to tidy up around the bum & legs?

Like this one ?? https://www.sydneysalonsupplies.com.au/wahl-bravura-lithium-ion-corded-cordless-animal-pet-clipper.html?gclid=CjwKCAiA3abwBRBqEiwAKwICA_o46F2a9MNPpBz29xt0ZILx1_l02ax33z1UD3jzpPTcTo5sLZBtmxoCEKoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

What is the easiest to use & quietest cordless clippers for just doing tidy-ups under the tail & between the legs

Thanks, that was what I was wanting to hear. Maybe if I take him to a really good groomer they could show me how. Thanks everyone else for your suggestions too. Rinsing him off after swimming in the family pool is not an option due to the fact that I would be rinsing him with water from the dam. Drying him off after every swim is not an option either. Stopping him from swimming altogether would be the only way but he loves it & it is good for him. A shame he has such a thick coat & just loves to roll around in the dirt after his swim unless I can get to him in time to lock him up. We have no grass at the moment, our lawn is just dirt, bark & leaves

Yes I have tried that, but it doesn't get the dags out

Cricket the border collie swims a lot, he also has a thick coat. I try to groom him once a week, but I find I can never get on top of the dreds around his back side. I have just spent an hour carefully cutting them out with the scissors, thinking all the time that when he stands up he is going to have a very untidy pair of pants, but surprisingly I cant notice where I have cut. Does anybody here actually clip around their border's rear end? I know it is wrong to clip their coat, but was wondering about maybe just clipping around his rear end & maybe his tummy. He is not a show dog, but I like him to look nice. Unfortunately as soon as he goes swimming again, he is going to look like a real dag

Oh dear, I must learn to read things properly LOL

Yes...I was thinking that too. I would think a good breeder would factor in having a litter & going on holidays. BOTH you would think would be planned well ahead. What is the breed of pup...someone said rottweiler but I couldn't find that reference.

If it were me I would just go for a drive & pick the pup up. Maybe the breeder could meet you half way. It is a 6 1/2 hour trip from Toowoomba. Drive down, stay overnight, pick up the pup & drive back to Toowoomba. What was the original plan for picking up the pup? You must have known that the breeder was in Quirindi.

OMG...... How beautiful...happy times ahead

That is what I use & do...works a treat & am very happy with it. I have tried one of the more expensive supermarket rolls but it was very jelly like & hard to handle

Nothing to add here, from one who has a crazy 10 month old BC pup...except that we need photos

Just curious why the ferminator is a no, no. Does it break the hair or something

I know this is an old thread, but was considering buying a ferminator for my border collies. I get the impression that people on here do not recommend them. Why is that ?? Are they much different to a Mars Coat comb

To stop the pees you could put a belly band on him. It worked wonders with my boy

Yes, there is a Bravecto spot-on that kills paralysis ticks for 6 months. I think it is new & I saw it at the vets when I was in last week. There is also one for cats

I saw it at the vets last week

I use monthly Nexgard but I crush it up & put it on their dinners

I go through heaps of treats, especially with a new puppy in training. I buy the Prime 100 rolls from the pet store & cut them into tiny pieces & store them in the freezer. The Salmon & the Roo are the favourites here and along with the chicken are the easiest to cut & handle. Some of the varieties are a bit crumbly but those three, especially the roo are good.

Yes, thanks everyone for your suggestions. I think I might just go & get one from America, at least then I know what I am buying...maybe I should buy two at the same time

I have had these for many years & they have been great. https://www.comfortflexharness.com/comfortflex-store But time has come to replace them. I am trying to avoid having to buy them from America & the Australian Company, Windchill, is closed till mid January. Does anybody know anyone else in Australia that stocks them or makes similar. They are such a great collar.

Just make sure your dog understands clicker training & what the clicker means. That link above will take you to lessons on how to clicker train. I clicker train all my dogs behaviours