questions, questions, and more questions!
So.....how often do people use the mat breakers? I was just going to buy a cheap one since I didnt think I would use it to often. But if its a tool that you have to use often when they are grown up then I would rather buy a more expensive one. Also I am about ready to buy clippers. Is buying the spray that cools and cleans and lubricates the blades a must? I was going to get some but I didn't know if it was a must have. And finally....I know everyone must hate these questions by now. I'm going to buy an Oster but I don't know which is better. I'm about ready to close my eyes and just pick one. There is the http://www.ryanspet.com/ryanspet/produc ... tItemCnt=1 http://www.ryanspet.com/ryanspet/produc ... tItemCnt=1 http://www.ryanspet.com/ryanspet/produc ... tItemCnt=1 Which one?? Anybody???  |
|
|
| What are you using for a brush? And when you groom him are you grooming him fully, line brushing, start to finish? Or just a few swipes with the brush whenever he walks by type of thing?
A comb is helpful to go over ears and legs since they mat easier. I bought a Mars Coat King mat rake some time ago, and have used it twice. It's handy for large mats to slice them apart and then I can comb them out with my comb. I would buy the best grooming tools you can, since even if you don't use it often you will hopefully need it for many years to come 
If you buy clippers I highly recommend the coolant for the blades. I would go with the one in your last link. |
| I have a slicker brush, a comb, and a pin brush. I use the pin brush the most. Since he has been having problems with mats coming up every day he has been getting long brush out sessions with the pin brush mostly. I haven't been line combing yet but will do it in small sections where the mats are appearing.
He is not the best with lying still for grooming (though he is very SLOWLY getting better) but I am planning on buying a grooming table to when I buy all this other stuff so I think there will be a marked improvement soon. 
HA HA this brings me to another question.  Do I need the 30x18x33H" or the 36x24x30H" or the 48x24x30H" grooming table? |
| I think mine is 36x24x30H and it seems to do the trick, though I may have to go for the larger one for Tucker. |
| If his ears are really bad, consider shearing them. It's pretty rough on a dog to try to work out ear mats and I know how bad they can get at that age. Plus, the blades on the mat breakers are pretty sharp and the ear is so delicate, I'd worry about accidents. I know when my groomer first suggested shearing Clyde's ears (around the same age as Edgar), I kind of freaked out because I thought it would look really stupid, but it actually came out fine and it saved a lot of yanking and pulling.
Here's a pic of what he looked like after the shearing (the tips of that ear are white so it's kind of hard to see where it blends in but you get the point!  |
So is shearing like shaving or doing like a close clip? I wouldn't mind doing that. Edgars hair is shorter then that in the picture at the moment so you would probably be able to tell. But hey at least its not the whole body embarrassing naked shave. 
Was the whole ear sheared or just the ends by the way? Because the ends are where Edgars mats are at. |
| OK, I have a question also. Is it an absolute "no, no" to keep the muzzle short on an OES? I love the long hair look, but Sadie's gets so-o-o-o brown and she slops water everywhere! We changed the water at least twice a day (for the brown) and tried different bowls to no avail, as far as the water slopping! It seems girls shouldn't have beards (ha,ha) - and it is less traumatic for all of us. Am I wrong and should I let it grow regardless?
By the way, Sadie is a rescue (from a rescue). You can see her before and after pictures by clicking on the camera. The avatar is her most recent. |
| I don't think it is a no no to keep the muzzle short. Granted it would be a no no if you where showing. We keep Edgar in a 2 inch puppy cut. Well it only stays 2 inches for a few days. His hair grows fast. And we also make sure to have his muzzle trimmed up because we don't like the brown and how much water he picks up in it. So I say do what you like!!! |
| I have the Oster Turbo A-5 clippers and am very pleased with them. I have heard many other forum members comment that they are pleased with them. Yes, I would buy the cooling foam.
I keep my sheepies muzzle groomed shorter as it is easier to keep clean. I think it is personal preference. I also keep the hair cut around the eyes that my sheepie can see. He runs into things if I don't. |
| Our grooming table is 24 x 36. All 3 of our OES have been males and I love the size of table for a bigger dog. Chewie at 9 months doesn't fill it, but I use the space for sprays, brushes, etc.
We totally line brush once a week. Then spot brush as needed. We also bathe him almost weekly, so he stays fluffy and mat free better from a complete blow dry. I think the blowdry with as powerful dryer does almost as much good as a 2nd brushing session! We started with a slicker brush as a young pup, then transitioned to a pin brush. Spend the money on a good pin brush!! Many people here recommend Hindes, Chris Christenson (sp) or a few others. I have been tempted in the past to trim up around that messy mouth. I actually did it once years ago. It makes the nose look snippy and nasty though. We never did it again! |
If it is longer you can always toggle it.  Hand towel to wipe the beard after a drink or food.
Shorter gets as goopy. I actually find it easier to keep cleaner when it is long. Seems to spread across the bowl and not into it as much then when it is short. |
| If you are not showing the dog, trim him according to your needs.....and his needs. If a short beard and muzzle suits you, fine. Experiment until you find a length that works for you. It's OK, boo-boos are quickly grown out, you get another chance.
Yes, get the blade accessories, they prolong the blade life......and those blades aren't cheap anymore. I especially like the blade wash for cleaning up, it really helps get the hairs out, while cleaning and lubing for storage. |
crustybirds wrote: Was the whole ear sheared or just the ends by the way? Because the ends are where Edgars mats are at.
I believe that she went down the inside of the ear and took everything off from the inside down, getting the ends as well. I think they scissor trimmed to blend. Maybe you could take him to a groomer and watch what they do and try it yourself if it happens again. I've found now that he was sheared once, I never let mats form there again so it's never been a problem. Now I know where to watch! |
| You can lift the hair on the outside of the muzzle and trim all the stuff close to the lips. That way you still have longer hair to give you a nice look but it's relatively thin so it doesn't hold all of the junk. |
| Just a quick thanks for thoughts and suggestions about to cut -or- not to cut short the muzzle. You know, I never thought about lifting the hair and just trimming the underneath. Hmmm. May have to give that a try...although, I will have to admit, life without brown is very nice!
Seems though it is time for more brushing! Thanks to all for this site. Everyone does a tremendous job with it and makes life for us newbies MUCH nicer.  |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|