shells

She saw THAT documentary and believes thats what happended with the breeding of her dog (its a CKCS) next dog she reckons will be a Pug x Cav - because they're healthier you know Oh well maybe she can talk to my other friend whose RSPCA bitsa has just cost them $1800 in surgery costs Very True

In a way I can understand how this person feels. A friend of mine also "did all the right things", registered breeder ect only to end up with a dog that has cost them a fortune in the first year - no amount of talk will convince her to get a pedigree dog ever again.

Thanks Her paw has improved dramatically - I cleaned it tonight and it didnt bother her at all. The other times I had done it she let me know that she wasnt impressed and that it was sore. She still enjoyed her walk but at home she is happy to sleep and laze around and is not running around with brother (which is unusual for her). Might ring the vet to check if the medications can cause drowsiness but she did have a pretty bad infection and is probably still recovering. Atleast she is eating and drinking.

My 9 month old female miniature poodle got stung by a bee a couple of weeks ago. She was happy and herself until yesterday when we took her to the vet - it turns out the sting area got infected as it is in the webbing underneath her paw. So she has some antibiotic and cortisole tables plus a medicated wash and antifungal cream. She has now had 3 doses of antibiotics and cortisole and had her foot washed 3 times but she is still isnt her usual self. She is still eating and drinking, and managing to go outside for a bark at next doors dog every now and then but is quite sleepy and much to our boy dogs disgust not really into playing. Is the tiredness a side effect of the medications? How quickly can I expect her to improve? I am a little worried about her. The vet said to continue walking her so I did last night and she still really enjoyed herself but obviously her paw is still a little sore.

Can I crash this thread and ask if anyone uses "generic" blades? I have a non-wahl branded blade which seems to go blunt after 1 use on one clean, blow dryed and brushed dog yet my Wahl blade is fine. Are all non-brand name blades this bad

Definately buy a crate and google crate training. You can get cheap crates from www.dealsdirect.com.au if you dont have much money. Also if you are worried about cleaning up maybe put some baby gates up and confine him to a part of the house that has easy to clean floors. If you were toilet training a toddler you would expect accidents and the same goes for pups. Take him outside regularly, treat him when he goes and as for night time you are probably going to need a trip outside once or twice but it wont be forever and that would have to be better than listening to a dog bark half the night. Also if you are interested maybe invest in a dog door http://www.piginmud.com.au/joomla/pet-patio-doors/index.php there is a place in Mitchell who will install them for you http://yellowpages.com.au/act/mitchell/can...63-listing.html I was getting up twice a night in June/July this time of year is much better toilet training weather

This is the case the first groomer I used. I can spot the dogs that get clipped by them at the dog park as they "butcher" all the dogs the same way. Thats awful. I will also admit to my first experience with this groomer (and the results) being my fault as I was recomended a very good Poodle groomer but it was difficult for me to get to and I figured that if I called a groomer and asked if they were experienced and knew what they were doing they would be truthful - I soon learnt this wasnt the case. My friend had the same experience with another groomer and her sheltie (she even gave him pictures). Now we wont use either groomer and they definately dont get recomendations from me.

The first time I had my 2 Poodles groomed. I asked if they had experience grooming poodles and they told me they had. They said " you want a poodle cut on them? feet, face ect" I said yes. My guys came back in with their ears shaved and feet shaved half way up their legs, and wet - they hadnt even been dryed off. I ended up finding a much better groomer and am now doing it myself (and they still look better than that first grooming)

I live accross the road and they are about to get very wet I think

Thanks (I though I would reply I think my computer is about to die with this heat). They havent had issues but I am glad you mentioned about the skin - they have been a bit itchy since we went yesterday. Hopefully I will make it over in the morning. I would love to see Sarah as we met at puppy preschool plus I think it is going to be HOT. I met Betty Kingdom last time I wandered over who really encouraged me to learn to clip my own dogs plus she seemed outraged that I was paying $70 per dog for grooming LOL (and using an overpriced vet in her opinion)

PF - Can I ask another poodley question If I take my guys for a swim should I treat their ears with epioptic when I get home? I usually wander over to EPIC when the dog shows are on. If I make it over this weekend I would love to come say hello. Hopefully it wont be too hot for you all.

I was tempted to report them but then unsure if the RSPCA would do anything. I am going to be a bit more proactive and just drop the clippers over before christmas (when they would need another trim) and explain the hot clipper blade situation. She visited the other day and commented that my dogs looked lovely so hopefully that will inspire her to look after her 2 again.

It is sad. They are lovely dogs, a good size ( a tiny bit bigger than my mini's) and these 2 were great with my girls (including the baby). As for their coat. There were mats that had grass seeds in them that had started to sprout and they couldnt see properly because their hair was in there eyes oh and I cant forget the huge lumps of poo stuck around their bums - it broke my heart. I helped clip them and to be honest I didnt know where to start. In the end it was from the top of the head then down - the coat came off in one piece. My friend was embarressed and rightfully so.

I find it very sad but then I have to remember that they have food, water and shelter and definately whilst not condoning it is alot more than some other dogs have. I did try and encourage her to rehome them (they had a new baby) but she wont.

She used to take them to a groomer and I dont know why she wont take them anymore. I will have to ask her (I am thinking $$$$ and sadly care factor). I have actually lost sleep worrying over the dogs. I had to feed them for a week for her and they are lovely dogs but starved of attention as they are "outside" dogs. Maybe I will encourage her to go back to the groomer.

Thanks PF. One is white and black the other is Ruby. I try and offer my (limited) advice I even lent her my brand new clippers as they hadnt had a haircut in about 10 months - In the end one had to go to the vet to be finished off. I told her if she bought a blade then she could borrow my clippers just so they get more regular haircuts. This is another horror story of petshop bought poodle crosses. She assures me that after the last time she will brush them more and clip them more so hopefully only time will tell. I will tell her again about washing them before clipping - hopefully she listens.

I am using the stainless steel ones (everyone on here told me to steer clear of the plastic ones) Thanks PF and PW. I think I have been making it harder for myself by leaving the hair too long which of course means more brushing, longer to dry after bathing ect. If I did this and bathed the night before could I use a 4F or 5F the next morning instead of using the 2 different blades? My boy wont let me clipper his muzzle but stands perfectly still if I scissor it so I carefully do it that way. It no way looks as nice a shaved muzzle but it does the job. He lets me do under his chin and sides of face which helps. and one last question LOL my friend has 2 cocker spaniel x poodles - she doesnt care how they look she just wants to keep them short and mat free. I figure she doesnt bath them before clipping so what would be a good blade to tell her to buy?

PF and PW what do you do for Canberra Winters? My guys are inside but what is a comfortable length for them for walking and outside play? BTW this thread is great - I too have been doing things the hard way with snap-on combs and PW you are right the dogs have to be clean, blow dryed and knot free for them to work well and they are very difficult to use around the lower leg area.

Most embarrassingly I have to admit I have no idea why there are 2 speeds on my clippers. Everyone recomended me the Wahl KM2's as a good home quality, long lasting clipper (and having a decent quality clipper was most important to us) but I figure I better ask what is the best way to use the 2 speeds. Bascially how I clip my dogs (miniature poodles) is a #30 on the face/chest, a toe blade for the feet and a #10 with a snap on comb for the body - so what speed would be best for this combination? Thanks

I have used Laurie at Angel Paws before and I highly recomend her. She is very professional and listens to what you want (unlike another I used that didnt even dry my 16 week old puppies off in the middle of winter before throwing them through my front door - PM me if you would like the name). Angel Paws does have a 4 week wait but I figure its because she does a good job. I have started doing my dogs myself and would have prefered to use a salon but my male dog gets horribly car sick so a mobile was a good option for us. http://www.angelpaws.com.au/site/

Thanks everyone for your help. I will try the tug toy and a squeaky toy and take them speperately to the oval when I know it will be quiet and work on it. My female has good recall but the male doesnt and when he decides to go she follows most times I can atleast get her back but not him so its on the leash now until it is sorted. How do I curb their enthusiasm for other dogs?

I had fantastic service from them last week. My clippers were here in less than 24 hours with a few handy freebies chucked in

Sounds great - I have bookmarked his site - it was very helpful about how to correctly oil the blades. I am an instruction person so the lack of a clipper manual has thrown me as I have no idea how to look after and clean these thing properly. As for Clipperworld I just want to add that their customer service is fantastic. I got my clippers from there - ordered them at 11am and they were at my door by 9am the next day. Plus the staff member I spoke to was very helpful and lovely (threw in some lovely shampoo samples) so I will definately make sure any extra gear I need I will purchase from them. I am going to call them tomorrow about my #30 blade but will check it out and try it one more time just to make sure it definately wasnt cutting. How long does a blade usually last for before it needs sharpening? How many times can you have a blade resharpend?

As the title suggests. Just planning ahead but who do you recomend to sharpen clipper blades? TIA

This is my problem (I have never thought of that before). They adore playing with other dogs. Even though they socialise daily with other dogs you would think they had never seen another dog in their life (happiness not aggression) when we get to the dog park - I figured I was doing the right thing socialising them but maybe I didnt go about it the right way - Is there anything extra I should do training wise to help correct this? Training at the obedience club will atleast be around other dogs so I am hoping that helps. They do come out when I call (after they have jumped in). I dont mind the lake swimming (they are Poodles after all) though it is a bit dirty and stinky LOL