Clyde

Salon training is the only way to go IMO. I disagree with the comments that mobiles don't make money. I've worked in a salon, set up a mobile took a couple of years off and now have my own business at home. It is back breaking work, (but I don't have a good back anyway), the money is there if you want it but you need to be better than your local competition (which isn't hard these days with so many cowboys jumping on the band wagon). As ShowDog said, know your limitations so you don't have irate customers 0 but best of all is simply be trained properly so you don't have limitations. Put in a few years in a good salon to get the experience and test your commitment before the financial outlay, and stay away from the franchises IMO. They might have their upside, but it only takes one bad egg in the franchise to ruin the reputation for you.

Tea Tree oil is very drying and usually makes a dog itchier. Do a DOL search on the wonders of Aloveen Shampoo. Aloe and oatmeal based it is very soothing and made by a veterinary dermatologist at Demrcare (http://www.dermcare.com.au/) There are alot of imitations, but you really can't go past Aloveen. It's also soap free, so safe to use with flea/tick top spots. Whichever shampoo you end up using, check that it's not going to strip out your top spot! Aloveen also comes in a Leave In Conditioner, which soothes and moisturises in between baths.

no only have 1 pup, from hawkesbury. my boy who is vacc, does he have to be serapated? For future reference, Yes.

Oh please tell me how you teach a 12 month old baby to immediately not pull on things To the OP, do you have another room your dog can rest in? The reality is, you are either going to have to get a crate or play pen for your dog or not have him in the lounge room as much. Border Collies are not shy about having a bit of a bite if irritated and it's going to take a long time before you feel you can turn your back for even one second. I have three indoor dogs and one two year old child, it has taken sooooo much work to teach Grace not to touch dogs whilst on their bed, and even then she often slips up. One of my dogs is a fear biter so when she was around your little ones age it was simply too stressful on all parties to have them in the room together. The dogs either slept in the rumpus or in the play pen. It's taken two years to get to an acceptable level of calm in the lounge area - but even then I am always on the lookout for either dog or child crossing the line.

Mita, try a kitchen/catering suppliers warehous for a large shallow oven tray. The artificial turf can get quite smelly.

IMO, if you want them fluffed I would take them to a salon. Mobile groomers simply blast the dogs dry, rather than fluff dry with a stand dryer. Surely you could find a salon in the yellow pages or call a local vet and see if they have a recommendation

Don't let your other dog lick it as infection will occur.... it could also be the washing powder you use to wash her Pj's? Certain powders give me a reaction, just a thought.

I'm so sorry Tilly, he looks a darling

Just make sure you leave the Malaseb on for ten minutes, it doesn't start acting until after seven. You can also use it in her ears as a cleanser for the yeast problem. Dilute one part Malaseb to 50 parts water. West Ryde vets are great! They often help out when people need them

I buy it for Angus every so often, he loves it. I cut all the balls in half and put it in Glad bags and freeze the difference. It doesn't seem to last too long once opened. I noticed about one year ago the balls just about halved in size rfom when they were first available.

It has nothing to do with being a 'bloke'. I would hazard a guess that only one poster in this thread is a male and his question was merely out of curiosity as his dogs are desexed. Just because posters have gender neutral or masculine names one shouldn't assume they are male.

Yes, apparently that is quite common, but I have never experienced that either. Sorry OT. I found this to be the case at boarding school. A couple of months in of each term, we all started to get our period within days of each other. PMT was dangerous!

My Rotti and swf do that to my Saint, they gobble up her drool strings too....... When she comes back from a walk they are both clamouring to get to the drool first

IMO, it is the best flea product by far! I buy it from online from vetpetndirect.

I brush my Saints teeth, despite daily bones she still has a few side teeth that can get especially manky. You can buy dog toothpaste, but I don't use anything and it still works. You could perhaps start from scratch and book your dog in for a dental if they are quite bad and then regular brushing will help keep any build up at bay. I brush starting from the top side, give her a few seconds break, then bottom side, break, then bottom front, break, then other side, etc.... I do the top front last as it tickles them a bit.

Before trying anything else, I would have blood tests to done to ensure all organs are working correctly. Bad breath can be a sign of liver/kidney not working properly.

:D Perhaps he would prefer it rolled up in some smoked salmon

I've yet to meet a dog which likes the taste of Hills. Supercoat I have found to be a terrible food. It gave my dogs large, sloppy, red poos and hot spots when I tried it many years ago. How about Eukanuba Light?

I s'pose it depends on the groomer then? As I do the ears for just baths. Ears and nails always get done, I also encourage clients to drop in free of charge for in between ear shaves/plucks and nail clipping.

The groomer should have been pulling out all the hair.......

I don't wash down bones/toys/hide chews that dogs have buried and dug up.

Don't know if this helps, but you can buy tennis balls from the $2 shop which don't have that glue stuff around it. These ones are joined by two halves, howver no glue in sight. In saying that my Rotti goes through them pretty quickly, they seem to split in half. But four balls for $2....... In saying that though, I used to have a Dally who was a compulsive ball chewer, that the vet said his teeth looked like he chewed rocks.

Straight from the rep, as Rappie said 1:50 is fine. Better for us as the Malaseb goes further Sounds like the groomer let too much water in the ear/didn't dry it out properly, next time you take the dog there emphasis that he may be prone to ear infections. I've worked in places before where groomers may aswell have just stuck a hose in the dogs ear

I second Toohey's suggestion of removing the food she leaves until next meal time. Also consider that she might be suffering reflux, could you hand feed her or raise the bowl until the problem passes? I have raised a few pups who refused food and lost weight all due to a little heartburn.

At the risk of being flamed, I have yet to come across a Maltese who is good with children. I am sure they are out there, but in all my years of vet nursing and grooming I do find the Malts are very quick to bite. I have a Maltese cross, who was terrible with kids when I got him, but now after a couple of years he is much better. I still don't trust him with my 2 year old (nor any dogs, but he the least) but I have also had to take him down a peg or two. He would lift his lip if on my lap and my 2yr old came over, in which case he was quickly scooted to the floor and has now stopped it - but still licks nervously etc.. so I don't let him jump up during the day. He's learnt that couch cuddles are a night time treat only. However I have also had to teach Grace not to approach Angus whilst he is on his dog bed as he gives off very nervous body language if she comes near him. It's a lot of supervision, but he is slowly getting better. G. knows not to run near him, be too loud etc... and talk quietly when patting him. She often gets the odd kiss from him these days. A far cry from the snaps and grizzles. Totally agree with the NILIF, but also see BMP's point of still wanting to snuggle with the little dogs. We went with the NILIF for a while and got to a point where I felt we could loosen the reins a little and it's worked really well for us. You feel a bit guilty in the beginning but the dogs do adjust, I personally believe that dogs need that sort of direction from 'their boss' in order to feel safe in their pack. ETA: Sorry BMP, I didn't read your post properly and thought you were disagreeing with NILIF as you couldnt cuddle as much. No time to go back and fix my post, rushing out door.