What grooming tools do I really need?
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| Start our with a brush. When we brought Abbi home she was only 8 weeks old. So we purchased a double-sided soft nylon bristled and metal (pin coushioned with smooth tips) brush, It cost a bit more to get the one with smooth metal pins, but it was worth it. That brush is still our first choice, and Abbi likes it best too.
You will need a metal comb and probably a dematting comb --eventually. Go to your library. We found 3 grooming videos and 6 grooming books at our library. Also, they have great puppy training material and even OES books! And it is all free if you return them promptly. Our library is on-line, so you can re-check the books from your computer. The challenges of a new puppy! Try to get the breeder or former owner to go over what type of social situations it is used to --like being played with, introduced to what other animals, that sort of thing. Also ask about its personality. Try to find out as much as possible about its beginnings, as this will reflect on its current behavior patterns. Personally, the only equipment I use is that brush, a wide toothed metal comb, a fine tooth metal comb, a slicker, and my OSTER 5A with a #10 blade, and a trimming blade. I have the surgical blade and a #40 that I have only used a couple of times in 4 years. Weekly brushing, comb out the ears, clean the face, and lightly go over with the slicker brush. I only use the slicker to catch stray hairs and make sure I have actually gotten all the tangles out. Do not use the slicker like a brush -- get a demo from a groomer or a video. It will hurt the dogs skin if used harshly or without care. Puppies don't need it until after 8 months old. The De-matting comb is only needed when you are starting their full adult coat -- after 8 months also. I use it to thin out Abbi's long coat, as we live in a warm weather zone. There are thinning combs too, but the dematter can work to break up mats and thin. The slicker can also be used to clean off your pants and stuff. Since you are still in the looking stage, make sure to ask for demos from everybody to whom you talk. And also, ask about how to train puppy not to nip and avoid dominance issues. You need to get yourself trained and educated, it saves lots of aggravation and you get to play with other peoples dogs! Check into local clubs: go to the clubs topic and read one of the topics--there's links to the American Kennel Club which link to the local clubs. It is amazing tyhe information availble today. |
Thanks for the info! The only book on OES's our library had was missing pages in the middle. I ordered several OES-specific books online and spoke with two local groomers about them helping train me. I'm now into my umpteenth book on training, and I've even trained dogs before! THe real problem now is, I refuse to buy a dog online because of bad shipping experiences and I cannot seem to find anyone (reputable) within driving distance to get a puppy from. I've spent so many hours calling phone numbers that are no longer in service, talking to horrible backyard breeders, and generally getting nowhere that I'm on the verge of giving up. You can get just about any dog around here but an OES.  It feels like a wild goose chase and I'm tired of chasing. My husband wants a labrador and he's beginning to get very impatient with the complicated machinations involved in finding an OES. The rescues won't allow us to adopt because we have children under 10yrs old. SO, I'm frustrated! Meanwhile, I still do appreciate the grooming advice.  Hopefully I'll get to use it! ~Becca |
| Now that I have an OES, I do love her. So much that I cannot believe how upset I am that she is sick right now, but she seems to be getting better, and then ..
Why do you want an OES? It was the only dog I could find that was health inspected down in Argentina. None of the other pups we looked at even had their shots (and we were looking for a cocker spaniel originally). But things are quite expensive in Argentina--or were a few years ago. So most of the breeders were not having the pups wormed or anything until they were sold. No OES in Delaware? I would think you were living in the heart of OES territory. Strange the rescue is being so strict, but I don't know the details ... I bought ours when Angela was 4 , Teresa was about 9, and Crystal was 16. Angela and Abbi bonded like you wouldn't believe. They each delighted in getting the other in trouble though. Power struggles are part of family life and a dog will add to the competion. Have you looked for a bearded collie, a polish lowland collie, a newfoundland, or maybe even a standard poodle. I had a standard poodle that was another one of my heart throbs. He had a congentinal kidney disease and died at 3. All of these dogs have various diseases now, so you may want to look into which breed has the fewest. If no one is going to be home all day, you may want to consider a smaller dog that does less damage when it gets bored? I just answered a post from someone who crates their OES all day long. We crate Abbi on occasion and at night if she doesn't want to stay in the bathroom or outside. But I think she would go crazy being in the crate day after day. I guess any animal could feel that way. I have this parakeet that keeps trying to get out. She lifts up the door, but cannot get out before it slams shut. I go and talk to her and she settles down. Never thought I would be like an animal activist or anything, but I do empathize with a crated 60lb ball of energy. Have you ever seen an OES go 100 mph around a yard, I mean its awsesome, but what would a dog like that do in a cage? I am down in Texas, where there's only a few OES roaming the plains, but there's a new litter being advertised in the Houston Chronicle last week. If you keep looking you will find one, I am sure. And if you decide to get one of the OES's relatives (Bearded Collie or a Newfoundland) you will still get to use your grooming knowledge. If you end up with a lab, you will love knowing the training stuff. They are one of the more loving dogs, so they will do almost anything to get you to love them. It makes them much easier to train than most. I had the most loyal and intelligent chocolate lab you could ever imagine about 10 years ago. If your husband wins out, make sure he gets a chocolate lab. They are so beautiful, with their golden eyes. Enjoy whatever the dog stork finds for you! And the best of luck! |
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