General Chat

I agree with Kay - it is wonder what good brushing will do. You are lucky so far that you do not have problems and it is early days - for goodness sake for the sake of a bit of aroma - do not spook the dog.

Ive noticed in a couple of those mobile dog grooming vans and also in a dog grooming parlour that they have a chain suspended from the ceiling/roof with a strap that goes around the dogs middle, ,just long enough to take some of the weight of the dog.........keeps the mutt tethered without too much stress,????

My neighbour washes his dog in the garden, ties him on a short lead and uses a big car washing sponge for applying shampoo , then rinses with a second bucket of nice warm water.
Best to wear a raincoat for vigorous shaking after !!
Throw a big towel over her and lots of rubbing and praise and a treat.

That said, my bearded collie would take the first opportunity to escape to a nearby stables and roll in horse poo !

I used to do what Lindsey's neighbour does, but with my son holding the dog (a labrador cross) on a short lead in the paved area of the garden. m I would have everything to hand and tip a bucket of warm water over her, then rub the shampoo in, and quickly hose her down with the cold water, slowly and gently rather than on full blast. I would then rub her down and my son would take her out for a run, literally, but with her on the lead, and not let off to roll in anything. He would only be out for about fifteen minutes but she could then come inside and warm up if needed, running with my son had warmed her and the air had dried most of her hair. She was always pretty good about it, I bathed her in our bath upstairs when she was small pup.

Good luck and have fun

Lizx

Just found this site:
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_Shampoo.php

it does say not to use fabric conditioner as it's toxic to dogs.

I'm learning lots, thanking you all for your kind time. Have read the interesting article, thank you for that also.
:-)

You used to be able to get a Dry Shampoo for Dogs, Don,t know if they still do it though, try a pet shop, I used to use it in the winter with my Alsatians,re drying them when wet, try using a Hair drier.**M**.

ON A CARAVAN SITE WE STAY AT THEY HAVE A DOGGIE SHOWER.
YOU ATTACH THEIR LEAD TO HOOKS AND IT'S A VERY GENTLE SHOWER

Merlin we have had two dogs at separate times in the past, and they would run a mile if the hair dryer was as much as switched on.

Ann - all of ours have been the same re dryers except they all loved being vacuumed! It was a bit of a hard slog to get the carpets vacced as your earhole was being blasted - 'i want it again'.

Lavender, it sounds if you try all these tips, doggie will still be dirty but you will be very clean!!!!!

I think you're right there, Ann! I'm looking forward to getting stuck in, I've so many ideas I don't know where to start (now there's another thread...)

My dog and cats used to accept being gently vacuumed, one cat wouldn't stay away when I was trying to clean the carpets lol, she just loved the small brush on the end of the hose running over her fur, saved a lot of mess on the furniture.

Lizx

Hi Lavender,

What fun you are in for. :-D. We used to have a lovely Springer Spaniel. He was gun shy, but loved the sea. Wasn't too keen on going to the Vet, we used to get him shorn/clipped every Summer so he wasn't too hot. Easier to clean a short coat.

One year just as we were about to leave our holiday spot for a two hour drive home, Barney rolled and rolled himself over a dead seagull...... he got a spray of my perfume and we drove home with the windows down. Silly boy !!

My daughter used to read him stories when she was young :-).

Good luck, I look forward to hearing how you get on. A daily wipe down maybe?

Susan

Thinking vacuuming is going to be a no, no, Sparkly. Sadly! She's not keen and runs under the kitchen table. I will try though as it would be useful.

How lovely to see you Susan-nz and the pretty, endearing little one! I did think of a springer spaniel, I do just adore them. That was until we went to a b and b in the Lakes earlier this year. The farm had a working springer and omg, I never would have believed how strong and over-the-place they could be. He could have just pushed me over with one friendly bound! The collie is going to be hardwork but lots of fun. For the first time this morning she has been off the lead in the garden and field. We made an exit from the house, down the path and dumped the compost from the bucket. With a little encouragement she obediently followed me back home, paying a little visit enroute. (that's one job less!)

I am fearful of losing her in the fields as it is very rural where we live but on the other hand not wanting her to spend her life on a lead. We are just going out for another trip, tennis ball and treats in pocket.

I have made the Xmas cake, planted a raised bed of overwintering lettuces and a pan of green tomato chutney so far today.

:-)

What a busy busy life you lead Lavender,Plus all the pies for Roses Pub. :-D,If you still have trouble with washing the dog, Tie him on top of the Car and go through the Car Wash, Scrubbed, rinsed and dried with warm air.Job Done. :-D :-D :-D (Only Joking.) ;-)

Lavender,

Does the dog have tag on its collar with your name and address on it? If he/she did wander off, there would be a good chance you would get it back - is it micro chipped ?

Our springer was so placid - and greedy. He used to pinch the food out of the kids hands if they were to slow to eat it. He once wandered to a neighbours, they had thrown the crumbs from the weetbix packet out for the birds. Old greedy guts ate them and came home gagging. He had enough saliver to moisten the crumbs but they had stuck to the roof of his mouth like concrete. I had to prise them off... He used to also race the birds for the bread. Yes, we did feed him :-\.

have fun !!

Only yesterday saw a large van in road on side said 'Dog Shampoo' obviously took dog in van and closed door, what happened next god only knows.

Carol :-0

Dry shampoo lol. Just a thought. My young whippet hates water and will do anything to avoid puddles, so i just go for it and stick her in the bath and hang on. <3

Success!!! I started out with the bathing wipes a few days ago but have now successfully completed a bath, of sorts.

In our utility room we have a low butlers sink which is tiled up to normal kitchen unit height. I started out by brushing her alongside and then tricking her into thinking that the grooming would be continuing after I lifted her into the sink. I didn't put any water in it as I knew it would just freak her out.

I had already filled buckets of warm water which were ready at hand. I continued to brush her for a few minutes whilst trying to keep her from scrabbling out. It took a fair bit of strength as she was determined to escape but my body was blocking the exit. I wet her, rubbed in the shampoo and rinsed her thoroughly in no time.

She spent the morning drying off but has already enjoyed two good romps in the field and has come back thoroughly grubby but deep-down 'clean'.

Thank you All x :-D ps. Yes, Susan-nz, she is fully labelled and was microchipped at the Rescue before coming home. I did have to take her to the vet as her eyes were slightly grotty.

She didn't eat her food yesterday having devoured a huge, greasy bone from Jol*ys. It did keep her very quiet all night but the mess on her fleece let alone the smell in my lounge was quite revolting! It's a useful treat though for when I need to keep her entertained. She's an adorable girl, our Moll! x

WELL DONE !