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backache & little dog feet
I have two question for the rest of you. I did a very matted yorkie yesterday that took me almost 3 hours just to demat. by the time I was done my back was killing me. Then on top of that I had to fight with him to do his nails and pads. So heres the questions.. How do I keep my back from hurting over what I think should be nothing? Am I sitting wrong or something? And how can you get a good enough hold on a 4lb dog whos fighting you tooth and nail to be able to do there feet and nails without breaking a body part or squishing them half to death???? Maybe silly questions but I've done a sheep dog in full coat and wasn't half as tired as I was after this little itty bitty yorkie! Thanks for the help in advance:-)
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Flaky skin
I groomed an older pomeranian yesterday (into a little fox-cut). As per the bath-first movement, I bathed him first, then dried, and then used a 3 3/4 blade on the body. Quickly realized that I was in too much of a hurry drying.. so cut off what I could, redried, then finished the clipping.
However when I got down to the skin, it was really flaky (but not red or irriated). The coat didn't feel as clean as I thought it should be (I washed him twice with griminator.. until he was really squeaking too..).
The entire dog took me 2 hours to complete.. most of the time was taken up by having to clipper over the body about 4 times trying to get all the hair off (only 1 of those times was really semi-wasted due to the incomplete drying).
Any tips? -
I have one of those
My sister in law has a yorki and I know he needs done again, but I
just dread it. He is all of three pounds, and is like trying to hold
water. Its like he is on some sort of halucinagenic drug. He is so hard to hold.
I am always afraid he is going to break a leg, or dislocate one.
I think I may just try a cat bag on him and see if that helps.
Nothing else does. I will let you know how it works.Comment
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[QUOTE=rnelson;43017]I have two question for the rest of you. I did a very matted yorkie yesterday that took me almost 3 hours just to demat.
3 hours to dematt a 4 lb yorkie? If I saw any dog in that condition, it would be a shave down, no questions asked. The most time I spend on dematting is 15-30 minutes. Anything after that is too stressful and is too tough on me and the dog. I can certainly see why you would have a backache.
Poor thing. I don't blame that dog for struggling when you tried to do his feet and nails. He had just gone through 3 hours of torture.
Maybe next time you could explain to the owner about dematting so this does not happen again. Show them how to brush and care for the dog's coat. If the dogs comes to you in that condition again, shaving is the only way to go and the right thing to do. Dematting-not an option.
Hopefully, you can get the dog on a maintenance groom schedule. Now, wouldn't that be nice? Then I'm sure the dog be more cooperative for nails and feet.www.gomobileandsucceed.com
http://thesuccessfulpetgroomer.comComment
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she took the words right out of my mouth
[QUOTE=wet noze;43042]i almost started to type my reply and then i read this one.....thanks, you took the words right outta my mouth.Originally posted by rnelson View PostComment
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dematting
[QUOTE=wet noze;43042]I told her I woudl try to dematt him but if he seemed in pain I would stop and have to shave him down. I didnt even need to keep his head in the noose thru the dematting. He just stood, sat , or laid down whatever he felt like at the time. He didnt give me a problem until his feet and then he fought like holy hell. It was just really hard to hold him for his feet due to his size Redbird had it right its like holding water. I used a matbreaker and an oster matrake and I was very gentle he is only my second dog and he was a workout. What about the back pain or holding techniques any suggestions ?Originally posted by rnelson View PostComment
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Don't dematt dogs. It will damage you over time and you only have one body. Just 15 minutes max for a small clump here and there. Tell people that you just wont torture Fifi for the sake of hair that grows back. That simple. I feel sorry for that poor dog. That had to hurt.Stress is nothing more than a socially acceptable form of mental illness.- Richard CarlsonComment
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position plus tension
can sure bring about a back ache. May be a good idea to raise your table for the little ones, I have done that. If you must, I wouldn't, brush that much out, then you might try the thinning shears cutting really only once through the mat, carefully, of course. I've found that real helpful with some hair.
I do something that I learned long ago in a Poodle kennel for tiny feet and nails. I sit in a chair and hold them in my lap, sometimes (gently) between my legs. Then I only have to hang on to the one paw, for front paws and tipped a bit over for back paws, not endangering their fragile joints. Occasionally a dog get very unsettled and might pee so I use a towel sort of around on a newbie. It is so nice for little toy poodle feet trimming.Money will buy you a pretty good dog but it won't buy the wag of it's tail.Comment
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Whoops.. didn't mean my post to be on this thread.. I thought I was starting a new one! Sorry about that...Comment
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Dematting does not have to be painful or torture if you take your time and charge for it.Comment
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If you don't have another person to hold the dog (for nails), you should consider the "Groomer's Helper", you can look it up on this site. The day will come when you refuse to demat in a similar situatio. It just isn't cost effective. The GH is cost effective.
I've actually had people come to me for nail trims who told me "you're the only one who can do him".....I'm the only one who has a GH......Comment
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Thanks Drubaby
I dematt dogs and I don't hurt them.
I use a sharp mat rake, lots of demating solution, and I take my time.
I sissor with thinning shears when I need too. Lots of hugs and pats.
I charge by the hour so , if they are matted ,well, it costs a fortune.
I ask if they would rather I shave as its faster and cheaper, but hey
if they would rather pay me for my time, thats what I am in business to do.
No torture here. Just nice and ssssllllllllooooooooowwwww.
The dogs I have that are nuts are not because I hurt them dematting, its
because they are young, and the owners don't work with them at all.Comment
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hmmm
Dont I hear ya there, the little dogs can be monsters I would much rather do a rotti or golden over those little guys. First get a pair of crocs the best shoes out there I suffer from lower back pain and when I wear the crocs I have no pain yes they are ugly but once you try them you will be hooked. I also agree with the others it is more humane to shave that puppy down and have the owners start fresh then to spend 3 hrs dematting the poor little bugger. Sometimes I just wish I could call the animal cops because people can be idiots. You get a little dog like that you should be required to know what your getting into ya know what I mean? People just get these dogs because they think they are cute grasnted they are cute but people research before you buy a dog and dont get the dog if you cant afford regular grooms. As for the nails hmm personally pugs do not like me at all and they are always monsters when it comes to nails. I try to nails and pads first that way they havent been standing on a table for a long time and they dont see it coming, it usually works that way If someone is there with me I usually have one of us scruff the dog while the other clips the nails. scruff and hold on if I am worried about being bit I use an e-collar as well as a muzzleComment
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