Retriever Rescue

hi to all has anybody got any adviceon grooming robbie,he is fine when doing his front half but objects to his backend,turning round and mouthing till you stop,bribe him at moment,but holding treat one end and brushing the other,can only do the minimum on his backend,tried again to put pictures on but cant figure out how to do it,any advice on that as wellwould be apreciated bye for now jeanette[/url]

hi,
only advise I can offer is , keep trying. Out of 6, only 1 would stand rock solid for her back end brushing, They all queue up when the grooming kit comes out, me first please. But their pants are out of bounds! Timber goes round in circles, Willow sits on it. Found that if you stand close, and slip your free arm down the side and under tummy, you get a bit more control, being firm, but kind. Otherwise, join the ranks of the hyperventilating

I think Lynn is right have your free arm under the tummy. In one case I found that standing astride the dog facing the back end then try. Not so easy to nibble your hand if legs are in the way. Of course I am tall so easy to do for me with no weight on the dog. Not so easy if your short.

On the other question about putting photos on the site I am sure Ian will be along to tell you how to do it.

I think Lynn is right too, free arm under the tum', thats what we do When it comes to the tail, hubby's arm under as I need both hands. Ill tell you what IS hard to do, trimming the hair between the toe's. It takes ages as it tickles so much

hi thanks for replys,tried arm under his tum didnt object to much got his legs brushed,not perfect but its a start,as for triming the hair between his pads havent gone there yet,but as he is only 10 months yet there not that hairy,at the moment he is stretched out on sofa,having sqeased his way on the end so oh had to get up and move over so robbie could lay down,soon as i get info on how to post pictures,i will enlist the help of teenage daughter to post them bye for now jeanette

I just put a ball in front of Paddy and he stands still looking at it, then quickly trim as and when can often take me 2/3 days but we get there in the end...
Lucy is the eternal worm wriggles all the time she isnt so hairy though and easier to manage...

Hi Jeanette.
Glad the tummy treatment worked, it does take time for them to get used to it. With the feet, I usually get them to lie on their side and do the feet on that side. Pull hair between toes upwards, (with 1 finger stroke it out, then clip it off) Same procedure downwards toward pads. Then clip around outer edge of pad. Also, the hair on the pasterns (front feet)up to the stop pad, thin out, the hair on back legs, upto the hock also. You'll get there, but it takes time both for you and the dog to get used to doing it.
Tails....finger and thumb beyond the last vertebrae, gather hair together and clip off, then arc down towards back end. comb down first, and comb into place during.
Hope you can get the ghyst of this.

the instructions for adding pictures are explained here-

any problems email or pm me

http://retrieverrescue.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=233

I use the same technique with Honey that my first dog Sam loved (he was a GSD / Lab cross) and she's not fazed at all now being brushed.

She lies on her side and then lets me brush all down her side including the long bits on the front legs working all the way down to the pantalons and her tail. She'll roll over and let me do her tum and then the other side. She still doesn't like being brushed at the back end especially the tail if she's standing. I find this way to be the quickest, easiest (for me) and least stress (for Honey). She'll stand (or usually sits!) for a final brush down her back.

I also find it's easier to do the toe trim in the same way.

I try and make it more of a one on one quiet-time fussing session rather than just grooming and Honey being a sponge for attention laps it up. We also have a game of wrestling; she thinks it's good fun and I get to have a good look at all of her teeth.

Had always wondered how Timber and Willow looked so well groomed (there not the only ones I've seen on here mind you) must be down to Lynn's expertise...was going to get Amber porfessionally done up as shes looking very out grown at the present...

Its the tail I struggle with, she likes the gromming but I can't get the tail right and it looks messy when I do it...

Think I need to have another go as she is frightened of hairdryers...so she'd have to come out the groomers wet anyway.

This afternoon, we gave Ella a good grooming following your instructions Lynn. It took us a good 2 hours. Bless her, she let us stand her on the table ( we put a thick cover on first ) but with her tail tucked under. After a few little 'treats' the tail got done too. The hair on her feet and in her pads grows so fast she sometimes looks like a YETI !!! Now they look like ' cats paws '. Now she looks gorgeous

it eventually worked just need to figure out now how to adjust the size : )

Hi jeanette,
Left you a message on your other post, but I see you've already done it He's a lovely lad and look at that smile. You should put him on Lynda's....Muddy Dog Post.... Pet Gallery

If any of you want to come to see me I will show you exactly how to trim your dog. If yoiu are struggling.