Dog grooming parlour celebrates 50th year

Now Christine Cadger is celebrating 50 years of running a pooch-pampering salon, attracting four-legged customers from across the globe.

Christine, 68, who once bathed and groomed the star of Disney’s Greyfriars Bobby, has since had thousands of dogs in her Gorgie Road salon.

She established Christine’s Dog Grooming Parlour in 1964, where she still works today with daughter Emma McGarry.

“I didn’t think I would still be cutting dogs 50 years later but I couldn’t think of doing anything else,” she said.

“It’s been right down the family tree. My uncle had greyhounds, so I started working with him and would go down to the racetrack when I was 13, and my other uncle bred Scotties.

“Now I run the business with my daughter – it’s in the blood. I still love it but it has definitely changed over the years.

“Folk are now going more for the fancy dogs like the cockapoos, the labradoodles, schnoodles, the jackadoodles, but I prefer it when they stick to the one breed.

“Some breeds have gone out of fashion but it’s nice to see them coming back in again like wirehaired terriers and Scotties.

“When I think we used to charge two and six, or five shillings and ten shillings, it shows how long it has been.”

Grandma Christine started training at plush department store Kenneth Gibbs in Shandwick Place, which had its own animal grooming section.

It was there the producers of the Disney blockbuster brought “Bobby” to get him looking his best for the 1961 premiere.

Christine said: “It was getting shown at The Regal, and Walt Disney’s trainer came over with the dog and some other people. I got to wash and bath it.

“It was a mongrel, not a Skye, it didn’t have the long body of a Skye. There was a chief constable who got the dog when they all went back to America and left it and they would bring it in regularly.”

Three years later, she had bought her own shop, where she built up a reputation for being one of the best in the business.

Now dogs from as far away as New York – whose owners were staying at The Balmoral – have had been given the VIP treatment at her premises.

She has regulars from the north and south of England as well as other parts of Scotland, who go on monthly trips to the Capital.

Christine has even adopted dogs abandoned at her parlour.

Emma said it was her mother’s caring side that had kept the business going for so long.

She said Christine had taken on mistreated dogs and even adopted pets that owners never came to collect.

“I grew up in the shop with my mum and I couldn’t wait for her to teach me how to do it,” she said.

“With the shop being there for so long, we have done different generations of people on their dogs which has been great. It’s still nice when you see them going out and how happy the dog is.”

Customer Shirley-anne Cook, whose family has been taking dogs to the salon for ten years, was full of praise.

She said: “Both of my dogs love going to get their hair cut, and I always know when I leave Benji he is in safe hands.

“They do a fantastic job, I’m sure there’ll be many more happy days to come.”

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Durham Dog Grooming

 Whitby This Week

It's always nice to pamper yourself every once in a while, and the same goes for our dogs, too!

If you're looking for a grooming service in the Durham region that you can count on, look no further!

Durham Dog Grooming is a professional groomer offering high quality service and products at an affordable rate!

Durham Dog Grooming offers exceptional, compassionate care for your four-legged friend!

With a team of full-time, certified professional groomers, Durham Dog Grooming offers a unique bathing system, ensuring your pet receives the highest quality grooming.

The Hydro Surge Bathing System includes a superior deep cleansing and conditioning system, followed by a style and clip!

Each grooming session includes a complete brushing out of your pet's coat, a deep cleansing bath, conditioning using products that are specifically suited to your pet's skin and coat needs, personalized drying methods helping to remove loose undercoat and dander, use of the Furminator, trimming of the underbelly and privates, nail trimming, paw cleanup, and ear cleaning to eliminate wax, dirt and odour.

In addition to dog grooming services, Durham Dog Grooming also offers grooming for cats.

To make the process as simple as possible, Durham Dog Grooming also offers early morning drop-off, and pick up and drop off services.

All clients are rewarded with complimentary services between grooming appointments as part of Durham Dog Grooming's Loyalty Program. These services include nail clipping, face trims, ear cleaning and reminder calls!

The team at Durham Dog Grooming are dedicated to providing you and your pet a memorable experience. Most clients who visit are return customers, as Durham Dog Grooming strives to build lasting relationships with every client, and every beloved pet!

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Tattle Tails Dog Grooming relocates to Spring Grove area

Tattle Tails Dog Grooming recently relocated at 5598 Ambau Road near Spring Grove after being located for over a decade in a private home on West Market Street in York.
"I have found the perfect place to fit all my needs. We are now conveniently located with easy access off of State Routes 116 and 516," business owner and groomer Jordan Stauffer said,"My new location provides me the opportunity to still remain small and give personal attention to every dog, but with more space to do it in."
Stauffer owned and operated a highly successful dog grooming salon for 12 years at 2115 West Market St., in the basement of her home. In December Stauffer and her husband Kevin Stauffer purchased a 7 acre farmette on Ambau Road, just west of its intersection with Jefferson Road.
For the next two weeks after the settlement on their new home, Stauffer said, her husband worked tirelessly to completely renovate and reconstruct a tool shed and a tack room in the adjacent horse barn into a large charmingly appointed doggie salon.
"My husband did most of the work himself and boy did he do a fabulous job!" Stauffer declared,"Its so beautiful that I am a little afraid to get it dirty."
The pristine dog salon will be kept that way, Stauffer said, as she prides herself on being extremely clean and neat. A washer and dryer are located right in the grooming area, Stauffer said, so that each and every doggy client has fresh clean towels ready and waiting.
The new salon, which opened Jan. 6, is complete with a comfy'people' reception and waiting room with free Wi-Fi, a unique office area carved out of old barn wood, and a sparkling new grooming room with a top-of-the-line stainless steel doggy wash tub which has steps and an easy access, no stress opening for large breed dogs.
Right next to the office is a large and airy indoor kennel area with spacious separate quarters for dogs waiting to be groomed or to be picked up by their owners. Tattle Tails owner Jordan Stauffer gets a kiss from longtime black lab client, Kade, on Jan. 22, 2014 at the new business outside of Spring Grove. Clare Becker - The Evening Sun
"My goal is to provide a casual stress-free environment with a spa-like atmosphere for the dogs being bathed and groomed," Stauffer said,"I play relaxing music and talk to them so the dogs feel comfortable and safe during their whole experience here."
Jordan Stauffer grew up near New Oxford and is the daughter of Idora and Shane Eisenhart. From the time she was a small child she knew that she wanted to work with animals, Stauffer said, and after graduating from New Oxford High School in 2001 she apprenticed with a dog groomer in Carlisle.
She has always been a big fan of dog shows, both as a spectator and in showing dogs as competitors, continually learning the fine art of expert dog grooming from the experts themselves.
After she'graduated' from her apprenticeship, Stauffer said, she opened her own practice plus worked with the locally well-known dog groomer Diane Redding, at Bath and Shave Boutique which was located in New Oxford at that time.
"She taught me a lot. She was great," Stauffer said of Redding,"I really learned a great deal from her."
At Tattle Tails she specializes in grooming and clipping all types of terriers, noting those breeds have specific styling needs which are sometimes overlooked or unknown by the department store type groomers. She is also quite adept at grooming all other breeds, Stauffer said, and works patiently with clients to find that perfect look.
One of her own dogs, Seamus, is a champion Kerry Blue Terrier which she co-owns with Margarey Good, who is a world renowned and highly successful dog show exhibitor.
Stauffer and her husband also own a 10-year-old Airedale Terrier which they do not show but who is an important and valued family member, Stauffer said.
Stauffer shows Seamus, and a Scottish Terrier owned by her father and mother, at up to 10 dog shows per year. Her mother, Idora, also helps with the dog handling and showing, Stauffer said, and was also the person who came up with Tattle Tales as a cute and memorable name for the business.
Seamus's grooming and quality handling by Stauffer has evidently gone quite well as attested by his many Champion ribbons and awards that hang proudly in the new salon.
The grooming salon is open by appointment and clients can either drop their dog off or wait in the reception area for the bathing and grooming to be complete.
It takes about two hours to bathe and groom a small dog, Stauffer said, and about three hours for a large dog. Specialty dog grooming shows may take longer, depending upon the type of dog and the owner's specific instructions.
In the near future Stauffer and her husband also hope to add high quality care horse boarding to their business. The barn attached to the doggie salon has six huge wood paneled horse stalls with safety bars, floor mats, heat lamps and a security camera system.
An extra large horse wash stall, a huge tack and hay area, plus five separate pastures, all with heated water supplies, complete the array which originally housed a thoroughbred foaling establishment, Stauffer said. IF YOU GO:

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GROOMING PRICING as of January 2014

FULL GROOM: Includes full body cut or shave down; anals, ear plucking, ear cleaning,  and nails.
 (Baths - See other page for price.)
Note: Extra charges for matting and bad behavior.  NO CATS.

CLASS              WEIGHT                                                                     PRICE
Puppy Intro    1 Time only; less than 6 months old;                               $30
                           never been groomed     
Class I                 App. 0-25 lbs                                                               $40 & up
Class II               App. 25-50 lbs                                                              $45 & up
Class III              App. 50-75 lbs                                                              $60 & up
Class IV              App. 75 lbs and over                                                     $100 & up

Class I; App. 0-25 lbs include:  $40 & up
Shave down Bichon, Cairn terrier, Cockapoo, Cotton De Toulier,
Lhasa Apso, Maltese,
Papillon, Peekapoo, Pekinese, Pomapoo, Pomeranian, Shih Tzu, Silky,
Scottish terrier, West Highland Terrier, Yorkie.

Class II, App. 25-50 lbs include: $45 & up
Bichon with Specialty Cut; Boiken Spaniel, Brittany Spaniel, Cocker,
English Cocker, English Springer, Field Spaniel, Munsterlander,
Labradors Cross long hair (small), Miniature Schnauzer,
Tibetan terrier, Wheaten (coated), Teacup/Mini/Toy Poodle.

Class III,App. 50-75 lbs include: $60 & up
Afghan, Airedale, American Eskimo, Bouviers des Flandres, Briard,
Chow Chow, Collie, Golden Retriever, Husky
Keeshond, Labrador Cross long hair (large),
Mixed Breeds (large),
Samoyed, Shelties, Giant Schnauzer, Setter,
Standard Poodle, Wheaton

Class IV, App. 75 lbs and over include: $100 & up
(Check with groomer for time spots needed)
Akita, Bermese Mountain Dog, Great Pyranese,
Newfoundland, Old English, St. Bernard.




BATH, BRUSH, AND WORKS (SHORT HAIR):                                      
 Nails, ear cleaning, ear plucking (if possible), and anal glands.

WEIGHT           PRICE             Breeds (No B&Ws for Poodles or Bichons)
0-10 lbs             $25 & up             Chihuahua, Chihuahua Crosses
10-25 lbs           $35 & up             Beagle, Dachshund, Jack Russell, Lhasa Apso, Min Pin,
25-50 lbs           $40 & up             Australian Cattle Dog, Basset, Corgi, Dalmatian, Husky,
50-75 lbs           $45 & up             Bloodhound, Doberman, Labrador Short hair,
75 lbs & up        $55 & up             Bullmastiff, Great Dane, Smooth St. Bernard

BATH, BRUSH, AND WORKS (LONG HAIR):                                            
 Nails, ear cleaning, ear plucking (if possible), and anal glands.

WEIGHT         PRICE               Breeds (No B&Ws for Poodles or Bichons)
0-20 lbs          $30 & up               Papillon, Pelomese, Pomeranian, Yorkie
20-50 lbs        $40 & up               American Eskimo, Cavalier King Charles,
50-75 lbs        $55 & up               Belgian Sheepdog, Chow Chow, Collie,
75 lbs & up     $80 & up              Akita, Great Pyrenees, Alaskian Malamute,



SPECIAL SERVICES:

Anal Glands      $10 (All dogs)
Bangs                $10
De-matting        $25/hour
Brush Outs       $25/hour
Brushing           $6 Small
Teeth                 $12 Large
Nails                 $12 or $8.50 w/discount
NT & Anals     $15

Grooming Dogs staying 4 hours or more in average size kennel: $7/each per dog
Grooming Dogs staying 4 hours or more in XL kennel: $10/each per dog
Grooming Dogs staying over 8 hours: $12/each per dog.

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BASIC DOG GROOMING

It’s important to start early grooming your dog and to make it a daily habit as part of a lifetime commitment to quality dog care. Some of the basic areas of dog grooming are as follows:

Ear cleaning
    •    Use an ear cleaner for dogs to loosen dirt, then wipe with a cotton balls or baby wipes.
    •    Make this a weekly event for most dogs, or a daily event for floppy-ear dogs, or dogs that do a lot of swimming.
    •    Some breeds that have a lot of ear hair may need to have it removed to provide good airflow and reduce chances of infection and ear mites.
    •    If you see redness, excessive buildup or smell an odor, see your veterinarian immediately.


Brushing teeth

    •    Use a toothbrush, finger brush and toothpaste made for dogs and remember dog’s gums are more sensitive then ours, and human toothpaste can make a dog sick.
    •    For dogs that will not permit brushing, try giving them bones to chew on, but also check for tartar build up and swollen gums and, if needed, schedule a dental cleaning with your veterinarian. 


Trimming nails

    •    Make this a weekly event and just clip the tip of the nail. Try not to go any longer than a month in-between nail trimmings.
    •    If you are unable to trim the dog’s nails, seek professional help from a groomer or your veterinarian. Don’t allow the nails to grow too long or the dog may develop problems walking and standing.


Coat Care

    •    Some dog breeds need more brushing than others; some will need regular grooming from a professional groomer.
    •    Get into a routine of brushing your dog weekly.  It’s a great way to develop a bond with your dog and also become aware of any problems that may develop such as sores, lumps, fleas, ticks, coat matting etc.


Bathing dogs

    •    Use a PH balance shampoo (preferably tearless) made for dogs.
    •    It is an individual preference how often to bath a dog.
    •    Use care around ears, eyes and nose.
    •    Check anal glands.  If you notice they are impacted, have the dog checked by your veterinarian. 

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Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants

Q. What are the qualifications about?

A. The NPTC Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants is the 7763 02, this gives you the basic skills you need to start working in dog grooming. You could go on to qualify for the Certificate in Introductory Dog Grooming or the Diploma for Professional Dog Stylists these are the 7763 03 qualifications.

Q. Who are they for?

A. A Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants is for anyone who wants to work in the dog grooming industry and work their way up. You don't need any previous qualifications to take this course. The Certificate in Introductory Dog Grooming 7763 03 or the Diploma for Professional Dog Stylists 7763 03 (Diploma) is suitable for those who have experience of working in the dog grooming industry or have completed a related qualification.

Q. Why choose City & Guilds?

A. A City & Guilds qualification is proof that you have the right skills to do your job well - which is why so many employers look for people who have one. You can be confident your qualification is well respected within your industry, the 7763 02 and 03 is the Dog Grooming Industry Standard and is recognised in many places around the world.

Q. What is covered in the courses?

A. Depending on the qualification, you'll cover things like the follow plus other information:

o    trimming and styling different types of coat
o    preparing a dog for grooming
o    bathing a dog
o    shampoos and their application including specialist shampoos
o    de tangling
o    types of equipment and their use
o    canine behaviour
o    reception duties & meeting the client
o    handling payments
o    health and safety.
o    health checks
o    administration used in a commercial grooming salon
o    parasites, disease and skin problems
o    effective cleaning the working environment & equipment

Q. How will I learn and how will I be assessed?

A. You will learn the skills you need to complete the course in a learning environment rather than on the job. At the Canine Studies College we are a dedicated teaching centre dedicated to providing you with the skills and theory you need to pass your qualification.

For the Level 2 Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants, you'll do an E-assessment (on-line multiple choice questionnaire) practical demonstrations, written assessments and case studies. 

For the Level 3 Certificate in Introductory Dog Grooming, you'll do a practical demonstration, case studies and a written test.

For the Level 3 Diploma for Professional Dog Stylists, you'll do a practical demonstration, case studies, a practical test, and a written test.

Q. Which Level is right for me?

A. You can attend a one off taster day to help with both study and career guidance or attend the following Levels.

Level 2

You have little or no knowledge of the dog grooming industry and want to learn the skills you need to work under supervision in a dog grooming salon. You may also want to become a dog grooming stylist and own your own business. This course is the starting platform for you to succeed.

A. Level 3

You have experience of dog grooming and have completed the Level 2 Qualification
or
You have worked in the dog grooming industry for some time - you have plenty of experience. You want to develop your skills further, learn how to style different breeds of dog and perhaps move into a more challenging role.

By attending one of our taster days your Tutor will be able to assess your individual needs and provide you with the most appropriate guidance on your study pathway.

Q.    How long do they take?

A.    Guided learning hours are the hours you spend learning with us or on your own. The guided learning hours for this qualification are:

o    Level 2 Certificate: 183 hours
o    Level 3 Certificate: 150 hours
o    Level 3 Diploma: 250 hours.

The Canine Studies College are experts in intensive courses and are able to design a package to suit your individual schedule, we understand how learning new skills may sometimes have to fit around existing commitments. Please discuss your needs with our grooming tutor to ensure the best timetable for you.


•    What jobs could they lead to?
   

A.    There are a range of different situations you can apply dog grooming, not just in a grooming salon, such as in a rescue kennels or specialist grooming for the show-ring, for photographic productions and film etc. As well as starting your own business from premises, several grooming salons rent tables or table space and this can be considered as an option for progression or full time.

The Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants could help you get a job as a dog groomer or assistant dog groomer. It is the basic starting point to achieve skills and knowledge to work for yourself.

The Certificate in Introductory Dog Grooming could help you get a job as a dog groomer, kennel worker or veterinary nurse and with additional business skills training, if needed you may be able to start your own business.

The Diploma for Professional Dog Stylists could help you get a job as a senior dog groomer or manager in a dog grooming salon or you will be able to start your own business.
Once you have completed these qualifications, you could also go on to do a Level 3 work-based Diploma in Animal Care or a Level 4 QCF  in Animal Management depending on your working environment and length of time grooming, you can also continue to take your Level 4 Dog Grooming Foundation Degree.

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How to Trim a Dog’s Nails

When you think about dog grooming ,you probably consider bathing him,brushing
his coat, even cleaning those floppy ears, but it’s a good idea to give dogs
a pedicure every few weeks as well. If you’ve never trimmed a dog’s nails, ask
for some help from a more experienced person, and keep these instructions
nearby.

1: Stay Sharp
A few different tools are available to help you
trim a dog’s nails, including those that
resemble miniature pliers and those with
replaceable sliding “guillotine” blades.
Use whichever model makes you and
the animal most comfortable, but be
sure to replace the blade frequently
to make the job easier and prevent
the dog from feeling any
discomfort.






                                                                                                                                          

 2: Pull Their Legs                        
 Dogs are often pretty cooperative
when it comes to having their
nails trimmed, and those who
were handled often as puppies
are even more likely to
comply. Still, you may need
to work a little to keep the
animal still. If you’re working alone, have
the dog sit or lie down on the floor or
examining table, then trim the nails,
one paw at a time.






3: Pull Their Legs,
Part II
If you’re grooming a larger dog
or if the animal is apprehensive,
have someone sit him down
and hold out his paw, then get
to work with the clippers. Have
your helper scratch behind the
dog’s ears to reassure the animal
and help move things along a
little more quickly.

4: Take the Edge Off
Remember that you should only
remove the very end of the dog’s
nails. You may be tempted to trim
off all of the excess, but that would
be a mistake. In dogs, the quick—the
nerve endings and blood vessels inside
the nail—continue to grow as the nail
grows. That means long nails must be
trimmed bit by bit, over weeks or months, until
the quick gradually recedes. Because it’s so difficult to see the quick in dogs with
dark nails, you’ll need to look at the nail straight on (see diagram below)and keep trimming
until you see a small dark circle. If you
accidentally clip too far and the nail begins
to bleed, apply pressure to the tip of the nail
or dip the nail in a bit of styptic powder,
then make sure the animal is kept inactive
for a short time.

5: Thank Them Very Much
Give the dog a treat or a pat on the tummy to thank him for his
cooperation, and things should go at least as well the next time
around.

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How to Groom a Dog

Everyone who handles dogs and has dog experience acknowledges that each dog may react differently to the grooming process. If you need to stop at any time during this process, some phases will be okay to stop, but others could jeopardize the dog's health. Therefore, you will have to be selective when picking a time to quit.

Grooming the dog can be done in one's home, inside a professional groomers or veterinary hospitals, or outside. For the dog owner, outside is generally a more convenient location to groom the dog since one does not have to clean the house after everything is done. If grooming outdoors then the fur and nail clippings can be swept into the grass to decompose and for the birds to use as nest material in the spring. If one is grooming the dog indoors proper disposal of the fur and nail clippings in the trash is critical.

 In every grooming facility the towels, brushes, and nail clippers used in the grooming will need cleaned in order to maintain a healthy environment and functional equipment for the next grooming session.

Procedure

 Now you are ready to groom your dog! Before you get started, there are a couple definitions you need to know: Quick - the blood supply to a dog's nail. This is the tender, living flesh of the nail that allows the nail to grow. One can see this region in clear or transparent nails. Depending on the length of the dog's nails this region is closer or further away from the end of the nail. It appears as the red coloration and comes to a point correlating with the shape of the dogs nails.

Styptic Powder - a special coagulant powder commonly used during dog nail clipping if the nail's quick is clipped. The powder is useful to quickly stop the dog's nail from bleeding.

Materials

•  Dog Shampoo

•  Dog nail clippers

•  Slicker brush

•  Dog toothbrush

•  Dog toothpaste

•  Styptic Powder

•  2 Large Towels

•  Bristle Brush

•  Comb

•  Q-tips

•  Veterinarian recommended Ear flush

•  Cotton balls

 Additional Materials 

Dog Conditioner - This product is recommended for longhaired dogs. However, one can use on the dog to achieve a softer coat.

 Large Cup - If you are planning on bathing the dog in a bath tub, the large cup would be helpful to soak the fur, rinse near the dog's head, and to ensure that all the shampoo is out of the coat. Using this large volume of water allows for efficient bathing.

Rubber mat – The rubber mat is helpful for dogs on slippery surfaces during the bathing process to help keep their grip to avoid injury.

Another person – Another person can be helpful while bathing larger dog breeds or an energetic dog. In addition, another person might be required to restrain the dog as you clip their nails, brush their teeth, and even clean their ears.

Grooming Phases

Step 1 Clipping the Nails

       1.1 Open the styptic powder container to ensure that it is readily available in case the quick is cut and  the nail begins to bleed

      1.2 Lay the dog on its side. If needed, have another person restrain or hold the dog by positioning himself or herself along the dog's back, while holding down both the front legs and hind legs and positioning the dog's head behind their elbow.

      1.3 Position the clippers at a 45-degree angle at the end of the nail and moving towards the pads of the paw.

      1.4 Using the nail clippers, cut the nail just before the curve of the nail. This avoids cutting the quick and causing the nail to bleed. In transparent nails the quick is visible, so adjust accordingly.

      1.5 Repeat steps 3 through 5 for the other 17 nails on the front and back paws.

Step 2 Brushing the Teeth 

      2.1 Squeeze a small amount of the dog's toothpaste onto the dog's toothbrush.

      2.2 Gently press on the corners of the dog's mouth, towards the back molars, to force the dog's mouth to open.

       2.3 Once the dog's mouth is open, gently brush the dog's teeth with the toothbrush in a circular motion. After brushing there is no need to rinse the toothpaste from the teeth.

Step 3 Ear Cleaning 

      3.1 Saturate approximately six Q-tips and four cotton balls with V.M.D. recommended ear flush. Also, gather a handful of dry Q-tips and cotton balls.

      3.2 Squirt a small amount of ear flush in the dog's ears and rub the base of the dog's ears to break up any loose debris.

      3.3 Using a saturated Q-tip, swab the inside of the ear reaching all the curves and crevices.

      3.4 Repeat Step 3 two more times on the same ear.

      3.5 Take the saturated cotton ball and wipe the inside flap of the ear, removing any excess debris from the external ear region.

     3.6 Repeat steps 3 through 5 using the dry Q-tips and cotton balls.

     3.7 Repeat steps 1 through 6 for the other ear.

Step 4 Bathing 

      4.1 Remove the dog's collar.

      4.2 If desired, place the rubber mat on the bottom of the tub or wherever the dog will be groomed. This prevents the dog from slipping or injuring itself.

      4.3 Place the dog into the tub or onto the mat as the lukewarm water begins to fill the drain plugged tub.

      4.4 Using warm water and a large cup or showerhead, soak the dog's coat to the skin until completely saturated.

      4.5 Place the shampoo onto the dogs back and lather thoroughly.

      4.6 Rinse the coat thoroughly; making sure all shampoo residue has disappeared.


      4.7 If inside, place a large towel on the floor away from the bathing area. Drain the tub and move the dog from the bathing area onto the towel. If outside move the dog to a dry area and start to towel dry the dog.

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How to Cut a Dog's Nails Without The Blood

Knowing how to cut a dog's nails is so important and if you're wondering how to
trim a dog's nails - you need look no further. As usual, we've done all the research
for you and presented you with a step by step guide on this delicate procedure.




Your Dog's Nails

Knowing not only how, but also when to cut a dog's nails is so important. Your
dog's nails grow constantly and how often they need to be clipped will depend on
your dog's lifestyle. If your dog does a lot of his walking on hard surfaces, he may
very well need little or no extra help in keeping his nails short as his nails will be
naturally worn away through friction.

However, if like our dogs, your dog mainly stays on grass, sea, sand and woodland
tracks, clipping dog nails becomes an essential part of his or her grooming and it
becomes important that you know how to clip dog nails.
Not knowing how to cut a dog's nails and failure in clipping dog nails will lead to
crippling pain in your dog's paws and could lead to permanent damage and
malformation.

If clipping dog nails is really not your strong point, take your dog to your vet or
groomer. They know how to cut a dog's nails - and it is amazing how much less of
a prima donna your dog will be with total strangers!

When To Start

Dogs are often reluctant to have their nails clipped; therefore, starting the process
at a very young age is a good idea. Initially, get your dog accustomed to you
simply holding and stroking their paws. Then progress to applying light pressure
on their paws and nails - lightly pinching their nails between your finger and
thumb. Reward them for allowing this.

Then, after a lesson from your vets in how to cut a dog's nails, lightly trim a couple
of nails a day. Just trim off the tips - this lessens the chances of you cutting too
deep and frightening your dog off. Talk to your dog in a soothing voice all the
time and reward him with his favorite treat and a romp straight after. He will
gradually grow accustomed to this unpleasant procedure and learn to at least put up
with it.

Tools You Will Need

When you're wondering about how to cut a dog’s nails, there are a variety of nail
clippers and trimmers on the market. The guillotine type is my favorite tool when
trimming dog nails, though a strong claw cutter may be required for the bigger
breeds and basset hounds - they have incredibly large claws!

Sometimes you may want to use a small file or a dremel tool to file down any
jagged edges after trimming a dog nails, but frankly, my dogs can't wait to get
away from me, so I'm happy to let them round off any rough edges in the normal
course of their everyday walks. It is also advisable to keep a styptic pen handy just
in case you clip into your dog's quick - but we'll discuss this later.

Anatomy of a Dog's Nail

Knowing how to cut dog's nails is easier when you know the anatomy of a dog's
nail. A dog's nail is constructed of a hard outer cover, which protects the quick
which is the inner soft part containing blood vessels and tender nerve endings. In
dogs with light colored nails, the quick can often be seen as being faintly pinkish in
color and is thus easy to avoid cutting into.

In the more common black nailed variety, the quick it totally invisible. Therefore,
knowing exactly how to cut a dog's nails in this case is imperative. In these cases,
trimming off little nibbles instead of large slices is more advisable. Keep checking
the clipped part of your dog's nail and look out for a dark spot in the middle of the
newly clipped area - this shows the start of the quick - do not cut too far into this.
Taking just tiny nibbles, you will then start to see a pale dot in the middle of the
dark area. Stop there - or else you are likely to hurt your dog. Also, don't forget
your dog's dew claws. Growing on the inside of his legs and not in contact with the
floor, these do not get worn away and will sometimes curl completely over causing
your dog to get snagged in undergrowth, his bedding, etc. This can be very
painful, so do keep those neatly trimmed too.

The Best Way of Clipping Dog Nails

The best way how to cut a dog's nails is to have the dog lying on a raised table or
other surface. Do remember to put a non-slip mat for your dog to sit or stand on so
she doesn't slip and hurt herself. Having someone strong hold your dog in their
arms while you quickly clip a couple of nails is another effective way of doing this.
However, your dog may be as good as gold and let you cut their claws with no fuss
at all - in which case you are a very fortunate person! Carefully read the
instructions for the nail clipping tool of your choice. For example, with the
guillotine, you need to cut from the underneath of your dog's claw upwards. Never
clip downwards. Position the tool in the right place, wait for an opportune moment
when your dog stops wriggling, double check that the clipper is in the right place
and squeeze firmly and smoothly - the nail will just pop off.

When wondering when and how to cut dog's nails, little and often is the best
policy. Just nibbling off the ends of each claw will be less stressful for your dog -
and yourself! The point to aim for is to trim off any bit that protrudes over your
dog's pad. Thus, when he stands, your dog's claws should not touch the ground.
The good thing is, very much like our own nails, the more you trim your dog's
nails, the more the quick will recede. Therefore, clipping dog nails doesn't have to
be done all at once - take your time.

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National Dog Groomers Association of America

Carolina GroomFest Contest Results ‘06
Division A
Best In Show Sponsored by Gibson Governor Insurance
Jodi Murphy, The Puppy Spa, Great Meadows, NJ
Best All Around Gr. Sponsored by Oklahoma Shear Co.
Karen Tucker, NCMG, Wag n’ Splash, Longwood, FL

Andis Poodle Tournament
1st - Hayley Keyes, NCMG, Nanhall Pet Spa,
2nd - Karen Tucker, NCMG, Wag n’ Splash, Longwood, FL
3rd - Misty Fowler, Paragon School, Wyoming, MI

Nature’s Choice Sporting Tournament
1st - Jodi Murphy, The Puppy Spa, Great Meadows, NJ
2nd - Jared Lane, Dog Works, Newark, DE
3rd - Tracy Duncan, Grooms to Go, Sawanee, GA

Show Season Terrier Tournament
1st - Steve Madonna, Dog Works, Newark, DE
2nd - Kumi Tachikake, Dogs Best Friends, Albany, CA
3rd - Cheryl Purcell, NCMG, Pooch Paws, Hanover, MA

Kenchii Shears Misc. /Misc. Tournament
1st - Lisa Leady, Windy City Sch., Elk Grove Village, IL
2nd - Karen Tucker, NCMG, Wag n’ Splash, Longwood, FL
3rd - Yoshie Shouse, Puttin on the Petz, Winston-Salem, NC

Precision Sharp All Other Purebreeds Tournament
1st - Karen Tucker, NCMG, Wag n’ Splash, Longwood, FL
2nd - Cheryl Purcell, NCMG
3rd -Lindsey Berry, NCMG, Wag n’ Splash, Longwood, FL

DIVISION B
Division B
Best Groomed Dog sponsored by Wahl Clipper Co.
Lori Keller, Paragon School of Pet Gr., Michigan
Best All Around Gr. Sponsored by Wahl Clipper Co.
Nicole Murphy, Welcome Waggin’, Winston-Salem, NC

Andis Poodle Tournament
1st - Nicole Murphy, Welcome Waggin’, Winston-Salem, NC
2nd - Sandra Phillips, NCMG, Sophisticuts, Ruther Glen, VA
3rd - Lori Deal, Top Knots & Tails, Statesville, NC

Nature’s Choice Sporting Tournament
1st - Deana Mazurkiewicz, Bow Wow Btq., Tampa, FL
2nd - Nicole Murphy, Welcome Waggin’
3rd - Sandra Phillips, NCMG, Sophisticuts,

Show Season Terrier Tournament
1st - Lori Keller, Paragon Sch.of Pet Gr.
2nd - Nicole Murphy, Welcome Waggin’, Winston-Salem, NC
3rd - Deana Mazurkiewicz, Bow Wow Btq.

Kenchii Shears Mixed/Misc. Tournament
1st - Deana Mazurkiewicz, Bow Wow Btq.
2nd - Nicole Murphy, Welcome Waggin’
3rd - Sandra Phillips, NCMG, Sophisticuts

Precision Sharp All Other Purebreeds Tournament
1st - Shannon Tupes, About Pets, Salem, VA
2nd - Christy Kilz, Bubbles & Bows, Ocean Isle Bch, NC
3rd - Lori Deal, Top Knots & Tails, Statesville, NC

Oster Career Start Competition
1st - Amy Bailess, Pampered Pets Salon, Danville, VA
2nd - Nickey Roberts, About Pets Center, Salem, VA
3rd - Lynn Barker, Fancy Paws, Winston Salem, NC

DIVISION C
Best Groomed Dog sponsored by Groomers Helper
Olga Zabelinskaya, Grooming Gallery, Morris Pl., NJ
Best All Around Gr. Sponsored by Groomers Helper
Yvonne Aitken, A Dog’s Domain, Jacksonville, FL

Andis Poodle Tournament
1st - Olga Zabelinskaya, Grooming Gallery
2nd - Lisa Correia, Bark N Purr, Toms River, NJ
3rd - Kat Dinio, Academy East Vet. Hosp., Moncure, NC

Nature’s Choice Sporting Tournemant
1st - Glenda Essic, Grooming by Glenda, Winston-Salem, NC
2nd - Austen McGough, Barking Lot, White Lake, NC

Show Season Terrier Tournament
1st - Donna Fairbain, Kat & K-9 Design, Manasquan, NJ
2nd - Christy Nelson, Fancy Paws, Winston-Salem, NC
3rd - Glenda Essic, Grooming by Glenda

Kenchii Shears Mixed/Misc. Tournament
1st - Yvonne Aitken, A Dogs Domain, Jacksonville, FL
2nd - Marilyn Wainwright, Waretown, NJ
3rd - Lisa Correia, Bark N Purr

Precision Sharp All Other Purebreeds Tournament
1st - Olga Zabelinskaya, Grooming Gallery
2nd - Debbie Davis, Debs Dog House, Buzzards Bay, MA
3rd - Yvonne Aitken, A Dogs Domain

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Dog Grooming School

List of Dog Grooming School in the U.S.A

Missouri
The Missouri Dog grooming
School
Lisa Winkeler, owner
10236 Page Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63132
Phone: 314-428-1700
www.petgroomer.com/msdg.htm

Montana
Montana Dog grooming
School
Shannon Lynnes, CMG, NCMG, IPG
Certifier, Director
628 8th Street
Havre, MT 59501

New Hampshire
Jan Waldo’s Dog grooming
School
Bed Inn bath
243 Hackett Hill Rd
Hooksett, NH 03106
Phone: 603-622-8921
www. Janwaldos.com


North Carolina
Atlantic coast Dog grooming
School
Louann Smith, Owner/Instructor
333 E. Durham Road
Cary, NC 27502
Phone: 919-467-1458
Fax: 919-467-5236

New jersey
Canine Chateau
Kelly Hartigan, Owner
587 Clifton Avenue
Toms River, NJ 08753
Phone: 732-341-6436

New Mexico
Albuquerque Dog grooming
School
2115 san mateo Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
Phone:505-256-8388

New York
American Dog grooming
School
Ilys Posner Director
202 E. 25th Street
New York, NY 10010
Phone: 212-686-3890
Fax: 212-684-5776
www.aaopg.com


Ohio
Cornerstone Dog grooming
School
Sherri Glass, Director & Owner
141 E. McPherson hwy
Clyde. OH 43410
Phone: 419-547-3647
www.groomerscorner.com

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Assisting your dog into the grooming table

 By Margaret H.Bonham

Getting your dog up on the grooming table is an important part of dog grooming. After all, you can’t use the grooming table to groom your dog if you can’t get your dog on it.

If you have a small- to medium-sized dog, picking her up and putting her on the grooming table isn’t such a big chore. But if you have a large- or supersized pooch, you’re likely to schedule visits to your chiropractor after grooming sessions if you use that approach.

The two ways to coax your dog onto the table without hurting your back require training and may depend on whether your dog is capable. You can show your dog how to jump up on the table or provide accommodations that enable your dog to climb up on the table. Either way, after you show your dog how to get up on the table, you still need to make her stay there.

If your dog is arthritic, young, or just not athletic, a ramp or steps can be a handy solution. Several different kinds of steps and ramps are available.

Although most dogs love to hop onto the grooming table because they think they’re getting away with climbing on the furniture, a few may be apprehensive. If you’re trying to convince your dog to hop up onto the table and she just won’t do it — even for the yummiest of treats  try using:

_ A lower table. A shorter table, such as an old coffee table or other sturdy piece of furniture, can make hopping up easier for your dog. You then try working up to higher surfaces. Four cinder blocks and a heavy board or piece of plywood or adjustable agility equipment also work. After a little practice at lower heights, you can try the grooming table again.

_ A different surface. Look at the surface of your grooming table. If it’s slick, try putting a piece of rubber-backed carpet on it. The carpet won’t slide, and neither will your dog when she jumps on it.

_ A sturdier grooming table. Dogs hate wobbly things, and if your grooming table wobbles in any way, fix it or get a sturdier one. You don’t want the table to wobble or (worse yet!) collapse while you’re working on your dog.

Never force a puppy or an injured, old, arthritic, or small dog to jump onto the table. Doing so can cause the dog serious injury.

Regardless of whether your dog is capable of jumping onto the table or whether stature, age, or infirmity prohibit her from doing so, you can find a way to train your dog to get up on the table and stay there. All you need to do is choose a time when your dog is more attentive and maybe a little hungry, have plenty of treats on hand, and follow these steps:

1. Bring your dog to the table.

Let her sniff it and become comfortable with it.

2. Show your dog a treat and say “Table.”

Use the treat to lure her up onto the table or the ramp or steps, depending on which method you’re using. You may not get her full compliance, but that’s okay. Reward your dog for any positive behavior toward getting onto the table, such as putting her front eet on the table or moving to the next step or farther up the ramp.

3. When your dog hops up or climbs onto the table, give her a treat and plenty of praise.

4. Lengthen the time your dog is on the table by telling her to “Stay” and holding her there with a treat.

Start with only a few seconds and then gradually increase the time.

5. Release your dog with the word “Okay,” which means she can jump off (or walk back down the ramp or steps).

Some dogs can injure themselves jumping off a table, even one as low as a grooming table. If you can, support the dog or carry her off so she doesn’t get hurt.

Sources: Dog Grooming For Dummies

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Convincing your dog to accept eye contact

 By Margaret H.Bonham

One mistake that dog owners sometimes make is not making proper eye contact with their dogs and then all of a sudden expecting the dog to accept eye contact. If your dog is uncomfortable with making eye contact, it may be because dogs sometimes consider eye contact as an aggressive, challenging,  or domineering behavior.

However, when you’re grooming your dog, you can’t always avoid your dog’s gaze, so you need to train your dog to accept eye contact as something pleasing and not challenging. You may see your dog avert her eyes when you look into them, but don’t fret  she’s only saying, “I know you’re boss.”

Training your dog to respond to the Watch-me cue can help you make better eye contact with your dog. Starting with a  andful of treats and working with your dog when she’s just a little tired and a little hungry, follow these steps:

1. Get your dog’s full attention by showing her one of the treats.

Hold a treat up to the bridge of your nose. Your dog should follow the treat with her eyes.

2. When your dog makes eye contact, offer her praise and drop the treat so she can catch it.

Repeat this step several times to reinforce the pleasurable aspect of making eye contact.  Practice Steps 1 and 2 several times a day.

3. Pair the action in Steps 1 and 2 with a cue, such as “Watch me!”

Say, “Watch me!” show your dog the treat, and then give it to her when she makes eye contact. The Watch-me cue is useful whenever you want to get your dog’s attention

Sources: Dog Grooming For Dummies

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Processing Your Dog’s Grooming Manners

By Margaret H.Bonham

Dog grooming manners don’t happen overnight. Familiarizing your dog with procedures is essential in anything you’re trying to get your dog to do. Dogs need to be trained in good grooming manners so they get used to the idea of being cleaned and preened — they may even come to enjoy it! After all, grooming is attention and time spent with you.

Unfortunately, most dogs are introduced to grooming at the worst possible time, when they’re either dirty, have mats in their hair, they need their toenails clipped, or all of the above. They struggle (Who wouldn’t?) because they don’t like being held or having their feet touched or their fur pulled. Remember when you were a kid and had a mat (or bubblegum) in your hair?

You know how unpleasant that is. I used to hate to have my mom comb my hair, because I always had so many tangles. Your dog feels the same way. The best way to instill good grooming manners in your dog is to make the experience a pleasant one. Otherwise, your dog simply won’t participate or will do so only grudgingly.

The best time to train a dog to accept any kind of grooming procedure is when he’s a puppy. Puppies are more open to new things, and you have time to build up good experiences from this openness. When your dog hasn’t had any bad experiences with grooming, he’s more likely to be accepting of the procedures.

But even if you have a dog who has endured bad experiences with grooming, you still can retrain him to accept it. Your dog just needs more time and more training.

Try spending about five to ten minutes a day training your dog to deal with grooming issues. Keep your sessions short and fun and always end them with a quick game of fetch or another activity that your dog enjoys.

Sources: Dog Grooming For Dummies

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When to Call a Pro for dog grooming

By Margaret H.Bonham

Although you’re ready to invest your time and money in dog grooming, you may run into situations in which you need to rely on the skills and advice of an expert. Precious, your Bearded Collie, may tangle with a sticker bush, and you may not have time or patience to pick every last sticker out of her coat. Maybe Rex, your Great Dane, is easy to bathe and brush but a gigantic pain when you’re trimming his nails and brushing his teeth. Perhaps you adopted a dog who’s never been groomed before, and you need help getting his coat into shape so you can then maintain it. You may even love to keep Sissy, your Standard Poodle, in a New Yorker cut, but you can’t trim your own bangs.

If you’re an honest soul who has admitted to yourself that you have neither the time nor inclination to do it right, there’s no shame in that. And why should there be? You call a plumber when your sink faucet is spraying water. You have a teacher teach your kids. You buy an airline ticket to fly across the country instead of going to flight school. You pay someone else to do plenty of tasks that you can’t or won’t do, so nothing’s wrong with hiring a professional groomer for your dog.

Assigning children to groom the dog usually isn’t a reliable alternative to routinely grooming the dog yourself. No matter how much your kids promise that they’re going to take care of the dog (including grooming), don’t believe them. This task ultimately falls on an adult in the household. Younger children are neither responsible enough to take care of a dog without adult supervision nor capable of tackling the grooming process. I say this from experience. I’ve seen many dogs given up to shelters or given away because they were originally “for the kids,” but when it came down to it, the children weren’t responsible enough to care for a living, breathing being.

Considering the cost

Most pet owners hesitate to look for a professional groomer because, quite frankly, it’s costly. Yet that’s all a matter of perspective. If you take three or four hours to groom your Standard Poodle, paying someone $45 to $65 to bathe, brush, and clip your dog is actually a deal.

The cost of having a professional groom your dog varies widely depending on where you live and what you want done. Time- and skill-intensive procedures like stripping or clipping coats cost more than a simple bath and brush out. Problem coats (matting and tangles) also add to the cost.

Keep these points in mind when considering the cost of grooming:

•         Most groomers charge between $35 and $70 for complete grooming.

•           Some groomers charge more or less depending on the breed, the location  (New York City is more expensive than Great Falls, Montana), the  size of the dog, and the type of work done.

•          Dogs with matted or dirty fur cost more, and so do dogs who need a show trim.

•        Groomers add from $8 to $12 for mats and add at least $40 for show cuts over the average cost of grooming.

Most but not all groomers offer baths, brushing, clipping, stripping, ear cleaning, and nail cutting as part of their services. Ask what the full grooming price includes. Some groomers won’t quote a price until they see your dog and can gauge how much work grooming your dog will be.

Most dog owners who use professional groomers have their pets groomed once a month and then maintain their coats with brushing and combing.

Looking for a professional groomer

Now that you’ve decided to use a professional groomer, you can look for one by simply opening the Yellow Pages to Dog Groomers, closing your eyes, and pointing to an entry. On the other hand, I have a better method

Finding a professional groomer

Finding a groomer is pretty easy. You’re likely to see a shop on the corner in your neighborhood, but you may not be sure whether that groomer is any good. Here are the steps you need to go through to find a good one:

     1. Ask your dog-owning friends whether they use a groomer for their dogs or know of one they’d recommend.

         A good recommendation is worth its weight in gold. If your dog-owning friends praise a particular            groomer, go with that one.

     2. Ask your veterinarian what groomer he or she recommends.

         Sometimes your vet will employ a groomer onsite.

     3. Look for groomers near you in the Yellow Pages or online at

            • Find A Groomer Directory (www.findagroomer.com): This groomer directory is the pet owner’s               side of PetGroomer.com (www.petgroomer.com). Groomers list themselves here. You can  search by city and state or  even by zip code.

            • BreederWeb.com (breederweb.com/services/dogGroomers. asp): This resource is another   good one to use in your search for a groomer.

            • DexOnline.com (dexonline.com): Use this Internet Yellow Pages site to do a search on “dog grooming” in your city and state for a listing.     

Screening the professional groomer

After you find a professional groomer you’re interested in using, you need to determine whether that groomer is the right one for your dog. Not all groomers are comfortable with all dogs, and some groomers prefer to work only with certain breeds.

Some groomers may use tranquilizers, especially with difficult-to-handle or aggressive dogs. I don’t recommend tranquilizers at all, except under extreme circumstances, such as a totally freaked out pooch. If you don’t know whether a groomer uses tranquilizers, ask. Dogs prone to seizures can experience seizures when administered certain common tranquilizers. ranquilizers also make dogs more susceptible to problems caused by changes in temperature, such as hypothermia and heatstroke.

Sources: Dog Grooming For Dummies

Sources: Dog Grooming For Dummies

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