grooming table
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chip547 wrote: I am fighting with my pup during brushing and I think I need to get him on a table ..I have tried our card table but it is not working......maybe he is just too young Your puppy isn't too young to be groomed. We started at 8 weeks, and our breeder introduced them to being on a table and being brushed a little between 6 and 8 weeks. So, your puppy definitely isn't too young. At first, we used a desk. With a wiggly little puppy, it was easier to be seated and at the same level. We used one person to distract the "bitey" end with treats, and the other person groomed. 2-3 minutes at first, then a little longer, then a little longer, and now it's as long as 4 hours, depending on how much playing he's done over the last week (and hence, how tangled/matted he is). The key, at first, is to make it a pleasurable experience. Treats, calm voice, assertive hands. If you're nervous and tentative, the dog will feel it. The more confident/calm you are, the more accepting the dog will be. I agree that you should get the dog onto a table. Even now, it's a challenge to brush Barkley if he's on the floor, but the instant I get him 3 feet off the ground, he's good as gold. I don't have any personal advice for you regarding grooming tables. I use the countertop peninsula in the kitchen. It means that I can't walk all the way around while grooming, but I get around that by turning the dog as needed (maybe I should get a really big lazy susan?). There are a number of other members who use dining room tables, kitchen tables, desks and other flat surfaces. So, you may not need a grooming table, but the card table probably won't support the full weight of an adult OES. From what I've read, others have the 48" long by 24" wide tables, and love them. Many also have the grooming arm so that they can keep the dog stationary while standing. I don't have a grooming arm, and often wish I did - holding the head with one hand while brushing with the other can be a bit of a challenge.[/quote] |
| We used to sit down and watch TV while we brushed Emma and Darby in the early evening. Every night we would give them a Nylabone and go through the motions of grooming including taking a couple of quick swipes on each toe nail with a cardboard nail file. They got so they looked forward to the interaction. I used the couch and my husband used the ottoman.
It wasn't until this year (they'll be 4 this year!) that I finally decided to get an actual grooming table. I got this one from Petedge.com http://www.petedge.com/Master-Equipment ... -TP698.pro It's now the new coffee table in the living room  |
| We started Ollie, our 1st OES , on top of the dryer. It is in a well lit area and right next to our utility sink. Something about being up in the air does make them behave better. And the height is about perfect for most people to work at.
When he outgrew the dryer we bought a grooming table w/ arm. (24 x 48 inches) It is 10 yrs old and still in perfect shape. They really do last. Ours is permanently set up in our computer/bird/sewing/craft room. So it does get used for other things too! It even doubles as an ironing board  . |
Quote: It even doubles as an ironing board
I love it!
They really are sturdy and functional tables. |
| I would definitely invest in a good grooming table; they're sturdy and have non-slip surfaces. We bought our first grooming table (24"x36") for our sheepdog 30 years ago and it is still in relatively good shape. I used it for my 3 wheaten terriers too. I eventually got a smaller and lighter one that I could keep in the car when I went to shows but I kept the larger one set up for regular grooming. I would also get a grooming arm with a clamp that can be repositioned to different heights and sides of the table. |
| Hi I just got a 24 x42 table with arm and boy what a difference it makes.
Dutch is 9 months and has been to the groomer 3 times and I guess she got used to it there because as soon as I set the table up and placed a chair beside it for her to climb up on she was up and settled right down (got to thank the groomer for that  ) I put it in the garage so it would become a place for grooming only and now when we are outside and go in the direction of the garage she runs to the door and sits there waiting for me . Now I just have to practice my grooming skills
and here's a link to Willowsprite (Stacy) grooming post if you need it
http://www.lakesongoes.com/grooming.htm |
I can not live without my grooming table. Makes life with grooming so much better 
Here is mine, they love it. I love it too, saves the back big time.
Just make sure the one you do end up getting is a heavy duty one to take the weight of a mature sheepie. And has a non slip surface on the top of it.
And no they are never too young to start on a grooming table. Also never leave them unattended on that table. If you have to dissappear then put the dog on the floor till you are ready to resume grooming them. |
| I agree. A grooming table is an investment but it's worth it. When I was a single sheepie home I just did it on the floor, but growing up we always had a grooming table in the garage (on nice days we'd move it out back, in the winter we kept it inside). The table I have now is probably 30 years old (the one that we had when I was growing up) so it doesn't fold up well without a mallet (perhaps WD40 would solve this), but that's not a problem because I just leave it set up in a spare room these days. It didn't have the arm anymore but we made our own (a thick dowl rod and a collar).
I got the hand-me-down table because the old one was going to be replaced. Because I'll be moving shortly I figured that I could use the old one because it's still in great condition (aside from the silly looking arm and the fact that you can't fold it easily). The new one came from the Dr. Foster and Smith catalog. Even though they're a bit costly, the table is worth it's price, esp. since they last forever. Sitting on the floor can really be uncomfortable for longer grooming sessions and it's harder to control the dog. I find that my dogs are their best on the table and when Jo was a younger she would jump on the table by herself anytime it was out (which was problematic when another dog needed groomed!). I'd add that I am fascinated that people groom on their kitchen tables...I'm not sure I'd let any dinner guest know that |
| I purchased my grooming table from Pet Edge, its a Master Equipment Adjustable Height Grooming Table. It is very sturdy and I can adjust it from 24"-36" in height, it also has a non skid surface. I love it, and the 48"x24" only cost $124.99. |
| I also got my grooming table from Pet Edge. I did not get the adjustable one thought and wish I had. Rags is so tall and when she is standing on there I am always reaching.
But I am very happy with my grooming table. |
RoJoMom wrote: I'd add that I am fascinated that people groom on their kitchen tables...I'm not sure I'd let any dinner guest know that
My thoughts exactly! ...although last New Year's Eve we had a party and had no place to put food. I suggested using the grooming table and my husband made the most awful face... He had seen how filthy some rescue dogs were when they had been up there! We scrubbed the table and covered it with a plastic tablecloth. He made me swear not to tell anyone that it was the dog's table. Unfortunately, several people noticed what a great table it was asked where we got it.  He's the one that finally confessed that it was my grooming table but the guests didn't have the "visual" of the flea & poop infested dogs using it previously.
p.s.: I wouldn't be without a grooming table for grooming. My back can't take sitting on the floor trying to brush. |
| We made a table. You can go to a Home Depot or Lowes, pick out long-lasting wood for the top, put old table legs on the bottom (you can buy them, too, but we had an extra table sitting around), and after sanding the top cover it with a non-slip surface. You can get the slip-proof surface from anywhere. We got ours from WalMart from the kitchen department and fitted it with super glue. I never expected the surface to last but we have lugged it all over Florida to dog shows and I've found it preferable to other surfaces I've groomed on. AND if it ever does fall apart, it will cost approximately a dollar to replace the entire top, which is harder to do if you have to order any!! |
If you're handy you might consider making one. Mine is 30"x48"x 34"high.
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We have a homemade one, too. The wood, hardware for folding legs etc all cost a total of around $30.
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| Nicole,
That really a nice table. Where did you get the legs? Is that a place for an arm on the right end? Regarding the use of an arm, I wonder how many people groom their dogs standing up v. lying down. I have the impression most professional groomers have the dogs standing. But I don't see how a dog in full coat can be expected to stand for several hours. |
| We use the arm especially for trimming, otherwise he is laying down. |
George wrote: Nicole,
That really a nice table. Where did you get the legs? Is that a place for an arm on the right end? Thanks, George. We got the legs at the local hardware store...Home Hareware or similiar would carry them. Thre are a couple sizes, so we chose the bigger ones. I would have made the table itself a bit bigger, though. but when we made it we had a smaller breed.
Yes, the end is for an arm, which we don't use. I have one, but I don't like using restraints at all, and the dogs are usually lying down anyway. So if anyone local to me is interested in it.....or even someone attending the Michigan Picnic...we can certainly talk... |
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