Grooming / tools needed

Susan,

I'd say stick with what you're doing if there's no dryness... about the recipe, it sounds nice; but I've never tried anything like that... if you do try it, let me know.

 

I've been using mane and tail hair products for a few years on both my dogs and me. Two different breeds and no skin issues.
About Wahl clippers don't bother with the tiny battier operated ones they are good for a short time then get hair stuffed into it and they break trying to get it out.
Glad to hear you made it thru your heart attack. My land lord had the same thing happen, he's fine now too.

 

Karma, Have you been bathing the big comb-out dogs the "new way"? I tried it on two malamutes that came in with undercoat matted to the skin and instead of combing em out before the bath I bathed them first (2-shampooings) and cream rinsed very heavily. Then after a very good rinsing I high volacitied them with the grain and the mats separated from the skin and only took about 20 minutes to slicker them out. They came out beautiful and the dogs never grumbled at me. Usually I had to muzzle these once a year guys to comb them out. Since then I've done it many times with great results on other breeds. I'm getting the dogs done faster and I don't have to charge much, if anything, for de-matting. I was taught to de-mat first or during the bath, but I was talked into trying this at a seminar and I and the dogs love it. What do you think of this procedure?

 

Raindigger,

I almost always bathe first, especially with the types you're talking about. It helps to loosen everything, and really facilitates brushing afterward.

I haven't done the two shampooings, though, unless they're really dirty or matted. And I haven't creme rinsed them- I usually use a spray-on conditioner after the final rinse. I have heard that the products used can make a big difference, too. So what kind of shampoo/ creme rinse do you use? I'll give it a try!

 

Karma, I have so many shampoos and rinses I've collected. (what fun!) I don't have a favorite. Just depends on the condition of the dog. But I do like to use best shot, refurbish and sometimes the stuff. Using the HV on a shavedown helps me to use a longer blade. Do you do that too? It's nice talking to a fellow groomer. I used to have four great goomers with me for nearly 30 years, but the last one just retired and I feel so isolated.

 

Yes, I bathe and HV like crazy. It's amazing what the HV will do to loosen and separate hair, and yes, move the mats away from the surface in some cases. I'd be lost without mine.

Wow, hope you're not doing the work of five groomers!

 

What the heck is HV?

 

What the heck is HV?

 

An HV is a professional dog dryer that blasts water off the dogs. It's a great tool that can really save time and has made de-shedding a whole lot easier on the dogs and the groomer's wrists. And no, Karma, I'm one of those SLOW groomers. I only feel comfortable doing 5 full grooms a day. But I love the big hairy bath dogs. I think I'd rather be a bather/prepper and hire a groomer to take over all the scissoring.

 

Stands for high velocity.

I'm slow, too Raindigger. But I like it that way!

 

Does the HV(for some strange reason I have Humvee in my head) get the poodle hair straight, or is it mostly for what you described?

 

It does both, puttin. On double-coated dogs it blows out the undercoat/ shedding hair. On poodles, etc., used directly after the bath, it dries the hair quickly, and quickly-dried poodle hair straightens.