Hand stripping is an old grooming method used by people who are preparing “broken-coated” dogs for the show ring. Stripping knives are used to literally pull the dogs hair down to the skin. As a result the hair comes back in at different lengths and weaves together to form a “jacket” that lays flat against the dog’s body. A stripped coat will come back in eight to twelve weeks depending on the type coat your dog has and how fast the dog grows hair. Preparing “broken coated” dogs is a lengthy process which requires daily maintenance once the coat has come in. It can be tedious for you and the dog, expensive, and heartbreaking if you find the dog does... Read more»
I thought I’d post a few stories from when I owned my own grooming shop. I always seemed to have an inate sense for what a dog is thinking and thought I’d share a few tidbits of incidents and how I handled them. When you walk into the grooming shop, your pet starts whining and trembling. Maybe they’ve been there 20 times, yet they act like they will be beaten. Have they been? NO! One of the most common reasons is anticipation. They know what they have to do, maybe they don’t want to, maybe they’re just excited. Sometimes customers they don’t know are there this time, maybe they’re barking furiously, and who knows what they’re saying? “Woof,... Read more»
You’ve come to an important decision; to adopt a new dog from the shelter. There’s so many sad faces, huge eyes, jumping, barking, pleading, how do you decide which one? The first thing to consider is that shelter dogs spend almost all their time in a cage, even if they have access to a run they lack proper excercise. Their human contact is limited so they get little interaction, discipline or boundary setting. This can lead to anxiety, fear and even agression from frustration. Unless you are very experienced with problem behavior or willing to hire someone who is, it may be better to leave the more pronounced dogs to the professionials. You are looking for a forever friend... Read more»
18 Jun
Shelter Dogs part 2
I decided to take my own advice and head to the local shelter to volunteer. As well as experience as a groomer for over 20 years I have experience with customer relations, fund raising, animal behavior and just an all around desire to be a voice for the animals. Unfortunately my career as a groomer ended with disability from multiple sclerosis and an inability to walk unaided. The shelter decided there was too great a liability to let my help with physical work. I also learned that it is unethical for a county funded shelter to engage in private fund raising. Not sure exactly why, but I needed to look in other areas. First, I googled animal shelters and rescues in Myrtle Beach, SC. ... Read more»
Farfelle, the Christmas mascot Two years had passed since I aquired Farfelle, my Brussels Griffon. He had been neutered and daily we worked through the behavior problems he had developed in his first few formative months with his first owner. He had become an important part of the family and a grooming shop mascot with suits a BG just fine. Imagine my dismay to pick up the phone one day and hear a familiar and unwelcome voice demanding to know why she was never contacted about the puppy I had promised her. Huh? She was the LAST person on my list to give a precious puppy to if I had ever gone ahead with my plans of breeding Farf. My mind flashed back to the day I got him. She had... Read more»
2 Jun
Shelter dogs
If you’ve read other posts in this blog I’m sure you realize I’m all in favor of adopting from the shelter. I have a purebred now (see collectors, hoarders and not so reputable breeders) but in the past I have adopted numerous dogs and cats from the local shelter. Shelter dogs are not bad or unmanageable dogs, they are just victims of bad human choices or bad circumstances. This is one of the best commercials I’ve ever seen in the campaign to help shelter dogs! Check out this site. In my own experience animals wind up at the shelter for a variety of reasons. Owners neglecting to spay or neuter - 4-8 puppies twice a year, within the year each female will start... Read more»
