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Post by puppypal on Mar 23, 2013 10:44:13 GMT
Most of you from the old YD forum remember me going on about barley hating grooming Well that is all behind us now, we broke it down into small bits everyday and he started to enjoy it and look forward to his grrooming session and treats, he now is groomed for 5 hours a week, 3 hours in one go at the weekend and the other two hours spread about the week 1 hour here, 1/4 hour there and so on. Now that we have progressed so far in his grooming i am now looking at competitive grooming through the YKC, the thing i most want to know about ias what equipment should i have in my grooming kit, i have odd bits but need to get some new stuff, we have a kit bag and some grooming bits but want to gwet a new fully updated kit ideal for a long haired, sensitive skin, double coated dog, and some good other essentials like scissors, wipes, sprays and what lead i should use to hold him with when grooming, and what to groom him on as there is no way he is going to be put on a grooming table, he is too big and hsa not got good feet co-ordination Any tips and advice on competivtive grooming would also be welcome Thanks in advanced
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Post by Jessie99 on Mar 23, 2013 17:25:18 GMT
I don't have much advice on grooming unfortunately, but I am interested in grooming myself? With the YKC too, with me having a Westie (a good-looking one too and westies are very popular in grooming - of course) I think we would do quite well! I brush Charlie after walks, etc! I massage him when I have time as well, usually when I am in bed before we go to sleep! Charlotte is a dog groomer so probably the best one to ask, PP?
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Post by charlottte on Mar 23, 2013 18:28:05 GMT
Glad to hear Barleys now enjoying grooming! Does the 3 hour session include bathing and drying? Or just brushing? I don't compete in grooming, it's just my job but I will say that competitive grooming is difficult. It takes time and practise to provide a brilliant groom. I've been grooming for 2 years and still struggle with some things, its no ast easy as people think Could be worth looking Into grooming courses to get the basics and find out if you actually will enjoy it! Professional/Competitive grooming is very different to pet grooming. It's very frustrating and time consuming, but very fulfilling! Kit wise it depends who/what you're grooming. What is in my kit (at work) is: Blunt/bullnose scissors 5 inch scissors for trimming feet 7 inch scissors for cutting 8.5 inch scissors for cutting bigger, lighter coated dogs. Thinning scissors Scissor sizes will depend on you. I prefer longer scissors as they sit in my hand better I'm unsure what coat Barley has but you'd possibly be looking at some good thinning scissors to thin off raggly ends but still give a natural look and a pair of small bullnose scissors for trimming round his feet and between his pads. Clippers and various blades If you're using Barley he won't need his coat clipping as it will ruin it. Brushes: Slicker brush Greyhound comb (ones with a handle dot work as well in my opinion) Possibly a dematter (in case you find any matts - these are bladed so be careful) If Barley is double coated then an Undercoat Rake or a Coat King can help drag out the dead undercoat Nail clippers and Trimmex, ear wipes, eye wipes and then conditioning or finishing sprays if you want. Groomers-online.co.uk and christiesdirect.com are the sites I use for my grooming stuff. I'm unsure table wise what you'd do, possibly train him to stand still. You can get neck and belly straps to anchor the dog, but they're usually attached to the table I think you underestimate how strong some of the tables are lol! Fair enough we have proper salon tables but we get a BMD, Mastiffs and very big Retriever/Doodles in that the tables hold easily. They're expensive and take up quite a bit of room though... Shampoos for sensitive skin - look for Oatmella Also check out Doreen Paige for herbal sprays and coat conditioners. We also swear by these at work. We only use the highest quality products on ours and our customers dogs Good luck PP, if you need any advice on anything, give me a shout if you want
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Post by puppypal on Mar 23, 2013 18:38:08 GMT
the 3 hours is only brushing it takes about 5 hours to bath and brush, have been looking at the otley college grooming courses, when i groom i groom methodically in order and work all over his body removing the dead hair, i do have a furminator but will have to get a new one as blade is chipped and cant dind a replacement, not wanting table is becuase he is too heavy for me to pick up and we dont have room to store one, he stands still on a mat while he is being groomed
As for advice, what is the best way to groom a big dogs belly?
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Post by Jessie99 on Mar 23, 2013 19:27:18 GMT
Thanks Charlotte, I could use this dvice too as my too dogs have to go to the groomers regularly and for both of them to be fully groomed (bathed, dried, clipped, health check - teeth, eyes, ears, etc) it costs £60. Its £25 for Charlie Boy and £35 for Roman.
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tillytubbie
Established member
YOURDOG Member Since: Sunday, 16 March 2008
Posts: 152
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Post by tillytubbie on Mar 23, 2013 20:55:31 GMT
Grooming is dependent on the dog. I am a qualified groomer, and I would say for a double-coated dog like Barley you need a slicker brush, undercoat rake and comb. You can clip out his pads if they are hairy, tidy around his feet with scissors and use thinners on his belly to get rid of the ends and tidy it up. I have a range of scissors, but I use them on a variety of breeds at college - so it's really down to personal preference. To groom the belly,(if you don't have a table) just stand over him and get the brush underneath. If he will lay on is back for you, you can do it like that. For most college courses, I think you have to be 16+?? I am thinking of doing a YKC qualifier later this year. You have to supply your own table and ensure your dog can be well behaved around the other dogs (as well as stand nicely for the judge). As long as Barley has a nice coat, you should be ok
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Post by Jessie99 on Mar 23, 2013 21:27:49 GMT
TT!!!! HIIIII!!! Stay around? This forum is quite good? I am liking it a lot!!! - In all honesty!!! Barley has a beautiful coat!! I want to be a part time dog groomer I think when I am older, well, I am not certain yet, there is so many things I want to do as an adult!! What would anyone recommend for a Cocker Spaniel? And a Westie? Just for tidying there legs, feet, etc?
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tillytubbie
Established member
YOURDOG Member Since: Sunday, 16 March 2008
Posts: 152
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Post by tillytubbie on Mar 23, 2013 23:24:53 GMT
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Post by Jessie99 on Mar 23, 2013 23:42:40 GMT
Yes, they will still always go to the groomers, its just sometimes if we don't have the money, we have to cancel the appointment, so for me to keep them nice and tidy while waiting, just on the legs and feet (and chest and belly for Roman - I have done it before and I didn't do a bad job if I am honest ) so, thanks TT! And the form isn't too bad, is it? You should definitely stick around!
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Post by charlottte on Mar 24, 2013 7:46:31 GMT
TT! Hi! Glad you're sticking with us for a bit Did you do the C&G course if you don't mind me asking? I haven't done it yet but have been trained to the C&G level by my boss' that have done it. Just need to fin time and money to do it! Westies and Cockers are quite time consuming and there's lots of different 'bits' to their grooms (unless you get Roman clipped right down of course) But like TT said you could use thinners just to thin the ends off his legs/skirt etc. I personally use blunts for pads unless theyre matted or grow like wildfire (usually owners request it) But either way works well, you just have to be careful which is difficult by yourself if you have a wiggly dog lol! For brushing Barleys belly you could 'line brush'. Brush the top bit that you can see, then hold that bit up and brush the hair underneath, then hold that bit up as well and brush the next bit, until you get to the middle, then do the other side the same. Line brushing is hard to explain but easy to show, so this probably makes no sense! TT might be able to help or there may be videos on YT. Also I wouldn't use a Furminator on a double coat as it won't drag out the dead undercoat. You'd probably be better with an undercoat rake or Coat King for your next investment. We only use our Furminator on smooth coats, I used to use one on our Lab too AL, you're probably looking at about that price for grooming, it's not cheap for a good one! We charge £26 for a Westie and £30 for a Cocker providing they're not matted or a complete fury of claws and teeth lol. We sometimes put matted charges on which obviously bumps the price up a bit but a lot of owners just decide to get their dog clipped short if its matted, its easier and more ethical that standing trying to brush solid matts out of a dog when it is caused pain, not sure what prices TT has come across/charges. Not that I think for a second that Roman and Charlie are matted could your groomer not do you a deal if you've been a loyal customer? We also get people bringing their dogs in alternate months to spread the cost a bit better. Must say learning to groom is the best thing I've done! I love it and saves me £35 every 6 weeks lol!
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tillytubbie
Established member
YOURDOG Member Since: Sunday, 16 March 2008
Posts: 152
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Post by tillytubbie on Mar 24, 2013 16:53:18 GMT
Charlotte - Yes, I've done the C&G Level 2, and am now on the level 3. I'm going to do the professional level next year while it's still free (-ish, still have to pay complementary price). Line brushing is easy once you get the hang of it. It is how Charlotte explained - holding the top layer and brushing underneath. Furminators are rubbish on long coats, to really work the coat get a rake Depending on what condition the dogs are in your looking at £30+ at my college parlour, but these prices depend on the groomer.
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Post by charlottte on Mar 24, 2013 17:01:09 GMT
Ah cool I need to look into doing mine but at the minute working, a Behaviour degree, Jasper and general life are about ll I can handle! My boss' said something about doing a course at Look North but not sure whether anything will come of it for a while. So around the same prices then, We get some customers coming from other salons or enquiring about prices where the groomers have apparently done a full groom for £15, I dont even know how they manage to stay afloat! I think our prices are reasonable. And does price come with experience? I love your two TT, Tilly reminds me of a Wolfie (even though she's a Labradoodle ) and Betsy has the cutest little face
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Post by Jessie99 on Mar 24, 2013 20:09:39 GMT
Thanks Charlotte+TT. Charlotte; I agree, Tilly is my personally favourite (but that is just because I prefer the breed! ), I also think that the prices are reasonable! Especially if you want your dog done properly correctly, then its worth it! My groomers spend about 4 hours each on Charlie and Roman! They come out looking beautiful! I have always been very interested in dog grooming and I still want to do it, I want to try and a get a course somewhere at a parlour! - Or do you HAVE to go to college and do the training there first?
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Post by BorderTerrier on Mar 24, 2013 20:13:41 GMT
I groom Earl a lot! AL; Charlie IS very handsome!! Are you in the YKC now?? I can't offer that much advice PP... if I get any, I'll tell you!!
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Post by charlottte on Mar 25, 2013 12:13:31 GMT
Well AL, I didn't do a course, I was just lucky that the Salon in my village was looking for help Usually it takes us an hour and a half for a westie and around 2 for a Spaniel, but as long as they come back looking beautiful it doesnt matter how long it takes. I'd always rather spend a but longer and do a good job than rush it and it be botchy. You could ask around local salons if they'd take on work experience. I started on a 6 months trial to see if I was any good and if I was worth taking on. Afyer that six months I was still there and started getting paid
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