Contents at a Glance COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL. Introduction...1 Part I: Getting Started...7. Part II: Making Your Dog Look Good:The Basics...

Transcription

1 Contents at a Glance Introduction...1 Part I: Getting Started...7 Chapter 1: What Good Grooming Is All About...9 Chapter 2: Inside and Out: What Affects a Dog s Coat and Grooming...25 Chapter 3: Prepping for the Prettying...41 Chapter 4: Training Your Dog for Grooming...63 Part II: Making Your Dog Look Good:The Basics...83 Chapter 5: Mastering Brushing and Bathing Basics...85 Chapter 6: Caring for Your Canine s Teeth, Toes, Ears, Face, and Ahem, Other Areas...99 Chapter 7: Giving Your Dog a Great Do: Clipping Basics Part III: Grooming by Coat Type: Beyond the Basics Chapter 8: Spiffing Up Short- and Medium-Coated Breeds Chapter 9: Warming Up to Double-Coated Breeds Chapter 10: Clarifying the Corded Breed s Coif Chapter 11: Shaping Up the Clipped Breeds Chapter 12: Beautifying the Stripped Breeds Chapter 13: Tidying the Tresses of the Long-Haired Breeds Chapter 14: Poodles: A Breed Apart Part IV: Grooming Specialties Chapter 15: Getting the Sticky and Stinky Stuff Out Chapter 16: The Skinny on Hairy Health Issues Chapter 17: Grooming Emergencies: Knowing Doggie First Aid Chapter 18: It s Showtime! Grooming a Dog for the Ring Chapter 19: Going Pro: Starting a Dog Grooming Business COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL Part V: The Part of Tens Chapter 20: Ten Popular Myths About Grooming Dogs Chapter 21: Ten Timesaving Grooming Tips Chapter 22: Ten Best Ways to Make Grooming a Pleasant Experience Appendix: Grooming Resources Index...339

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3 Table of Contents Introduction...1 About This Book...1 Conventions Used in This Book...2 What You re Not to Read...3 Foolish Assumptions...3 How This Book Is Organized...4 Part I: Getting Started...4 Part II: Making Your Dog Look Good: The Basics...4 Part III: Grooming by Coat Type: Beyond the Basics...4 Part IV: Grooming Specialties...5 Part V: The Part of Tens...5 Icons Used in This Book...5 Where to Go from Here...6 Part I: Getting Started...7 Chapter 1: What Good Grooming Is All About Big Hairy Deal: Discovering Why Grooming Is Important...9 Sociability...10 Presenting a positive public image...10 Eliminating the spread of dirt and disease...10 Determining whether something s really wrong with your dog internally...11 Considering the Necessary Investment...11 The cost in money...12 The cost in time...12 The added investment: Grooming for show...13 Familiarizing Yourself with Your Dog s Coat...14 Coat types: Single versus double...14 Coat textures...16 Coat length...16 Coat color...17 Having the Proper Tools on Hand...17 Coaching Your Canine to Be Groomed...18 Taking Note: Keeping a Grooming Diary...18 Knowing When to Call a Pro...20 Considering the cost...20 Looking for a professional groomer...21 Screening the professional groomer...22 Becoming a Pro Yourself...24

4 xii Dog Grooming For Dummies Chapter 2: Inside and Out: What Affects a Dog s Coat and Grooming Anatomy of the Dog: The Hipbone s Connected to the Head...27 Neck and shoulders...28 Back and chest...29 Forelegs and hind legs...30 Rear and tail...31 Considering Factors That Influence a Dog s Appearance...32 Genetics...32 Haircoat...34 Health...35 Exercise...35 Diet...37 Exploring the Importance of Nutrition...37 Providing a balanced diet...38 Feeding for a beautiful coat...39 Supplementing your dog s diet for a healthy coat...40 Chapter 3: Prepping for the Prettying Gearing Up...41 Taking stock in what you have...42 Gathering the essential equipment...43 Stocking up on important routine supplies...49 Adding optional equipment and supplies...51 Where s the flea and tick stuff?...53 Purchasing Your Supplies...54 From the grocery store...54 From big-box retailers...55 From big-box pet supply stores...55 From très chic pet boutiques...56 From groomer-supply stores and catalogs...56 From dog shows...57 Online...58 Setting Aside a Grooming Space...58 A groom room of your own...59 The bathroom...60 The great outdoors...60 Dog washes: Options for grooming when you have no space...61 Organizing Your Accoutrements...61 Chapter 4: Training Your Dog for Grooming Refining Your Dog s Grooming Manners...63 Using positive reinforcement to train your dog...64 Showing your dog how to enjoy grooming procedures...65 Handling sensitive puppy feet...66 Manipulating your dog s mouth...68 Convincing your dog to accept eye contact...69

5 Table of Contents xiii Getting Your Dog to Help You Reach the Right Places...70 Helping your dog onto the grooming table...71 Teaching Sit...72 Teaching your dog to lie on his side...73 Teaching her Stay...75 Establishing a Grooming Routine...76 Dealing with Difficult Dogs...76 Handling an uncooperative dog...77 Considering muzzling versus medication...79 Restraining a difficult dog...81 Part II: Making Your Dog Look Good: The Basics...83 Chapter 5: Mastering Brushing and Bathing Basics Brushing and Combing Basics...85 Beyond pulling hairs: Making the experience pleasant...86 Gathering the tools you need...87 Brushing up on basic techniques...88 Rub-A-Dub-Dub: Washing Your Dog...93 Just (rubber) ducky: Making bath time a pleasant experience...94 Gathering the tools you need...95 Scrubbing bubbles...95 Drying...96 Chapter 6: Caring for Your Canine s Teeth, Toes, Ears, Face, and Ahem, Other Areas Toe (Nail) Tapping...99 Making toenail trimming a pleasant experience Gathering the tools you need Just a little off the tip: Trimming basics Do You Hear What I Hear? Making ear cleaning a pleasurable experience Gathering the tools you need Cleaning your dog s ears Recognizing an ear problem Unclogging Anal Sacs Making anal sac expression a pleasurable experience (Yeah, sure) Gathering the tools you need Expressing yourself Pearly Whites Tooth Brushing Making brushing dog teeth a pleasurable experience Gathering the tools you need Twice a day and between meals: The lowdown on brushing a dog s teeth Spotting a dental problem...111

6 xiv Dog Grooming For Dummies The Eyes Have It: Keeping Your Dog s Eyes Shiny and Bright Making cleansing your dog s eyes a pleasurable experience Don t cry for me Argentina: Tear stains Gathering the tools you need to clear up minor tear stains Getting rid of your dog s tear stains Eyeing other eye issues Knowing when your dog has an eye problem Face Time Making cleaning your dog s face a pleasurable experience Gathering the tools you need Facing off Chapter 7: Giving Your Dog a Great Do: Clipping Basics Deciding Whether to Clip Your Dog Getting Acquainted with Your Tools Clip, clip! Deciding which clippers to buy Becoming a blade-runner Snapping on guide combs Using scissors Getting Down to Clipping Business Preparing for success Using clippers safely Making your first clip Attempting a Pet cut Oops! Righting a wrong Part III: Grooming by Coat Type: Beyond the Basics Chapter 8: Spiffing Up Short- and Medium-Coated Breeds Introducing the Wash-and-Wear Breeds The bald breeds The short coats The medium coats Brushing Hairless breeds Short coats Medium-length coats Bathing How often and when, really? The basics Drying Preparing for Show...143

7 Table of Contents xv Chapter 9: Warming Up to Double-Coated Breeds Introducing the Big Hairy Deal: Double-Coated Breeds Brushing The basics Surviving shedding season Bathing How often and when, really? The basics Preventing tangles and mats Drying Preparing for Show Mousse and a spritz Conditioning the coat Making the hair stand up Chapter 10: Clarifying the Corded Breed s Coif Introducing the Corded Breeds Brushing Caring for the coat before cords form As the cords form Maintaining healthy cords Keeping Cords Clean How often and when, really? Bathing basics Drying the cords Preparing for Show Chapter 11: Shaping Up the Clipped Breeds Taking a Little off the Top: Introducing the Clipped Breeds Brushing Basics Terrier-type coats Spaniel-type coats Poodle-type coats Bathing The prebath clip Bathing basics Clipping Terrier-type coats Spaniel-type coats Poodle-type coats Preparing for Show...182

8 xvi Dog Grooming For Dummies Chapter 12: Beautifying the Stripped Breeds Introducing the Stripped Breeds Brushing The basics Knowing when it s time to strip Bathing The prebath strip Bathing basics Stripping Your Dog Using a stripping knife Using a shedding blade Hand stripping Rolling the coat Preparing for Show Chapter 13: Tidying the Tresses of the Long-Haired Breeds Introducing the Long-Haired Breeds Brushing The basics Preventing tangles and mats Bathing Prebath brushing and clipping Bathing basics Drying Clipping Neatening the breeds that need it Doing the low-maintenance do: A Puppy cut Preparing for Show Clip and snip Using coat conditioners Chapter 14: Poodles: A Breed Apart Brushing Bathing The prebath clip Bathing basics Clipping Poodle pet cuts Poodle show clips Preparing for Show...221

9 Table of Contents xvii Part IV: Grooming Specialties Chapter 15: Getting the Sticky and Stinky Stuff Out Taking a Walk on the Prickly Side Getting rid of burrs and stickers Dealing with grass awns (foxtails) Shedding the Slick and Sticky Stuff Oil slick (petroleum-based chemicals) Tar babies Gummy pups Glue Corn syrup and sugary problems Surviving Stinky Skunk Odor Dealing with Downright Dangerous Chemical Poisons Chapter 16: The Skinny on Hairy Health Issues Canine Cuteness More Than Just Skin Deep Allergies Contact allergies Food allergies Flea allergy dermatitis Coat Funk Collar Rot Cushing s Disease Fleas, Ticks, Lice, and Mites Fleas Ticks Lice Mites (or mite not) Cooling Down Those Hot Spots Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism Hypothyroidism Hyperthyroidism Internal Parasites Hookworms Roundworms Tapeworms Whipworms Heartworms Lick Granulomas Sebaceous Adentitis Ringworm Seborrhea Tumors and Cysts Zinc Responsive Dermatosis...259

10 xviii Dog Grooming For Dummies Chapter 17: Grooming Emergencies: Knowing Doggie First Aid Preparing for a Grooming Emergency Preventing an emergency Assembling a first-aid kit Emergency know-how Handling Minor Grooming Snafus Cuts and nicks Skin irritation Doggie Serious cuts Allergic reaction Overheating Dehydration Strangulation Electric shock Hypothermia Dog bites Chapter 18: It s Showtime! Grooming a Dog for the Ring Brushing Up on Dog Show Basics Grooming for the Show In the weeks leading up to the show The night before the big event The morning of the show Putting on the Finishing Touches at the Show Touching up before entering the ring Handling your dog in the show ring Chapter 19: Going Pro: Starting a Dog Grooming Business Deciding Whether Professional Grooming Is Right for You Weighing the pros and cons of starting a grooming business Considering whether you re ready to be the boss Evaluating the need in your area Training Heading back to school Taking correspondence courses Working for an established groomer Home-schooling yourself Getting Down to Business Choosing how to set up your business Creating a business plan Securing licensing Paying taxes...301

11 Table of Contents xix Setting Up Shop Finding a workspace Obtaining insurance and bonding Purchasing supplies and equipment Getting the word out: Marketing Satisfying Your First Customers Exhibiting professionalism Dealing with difficult clients/difficult dogs Some tips to keep customers coming back Part V: The Part of Tens Chapter 20: Ten Popular Myths About Grooming Dogs Never Bathe Your Dog Unless He Is Really Dirty Certain Breeds Are Hypoallergenic Lamb and Rice Is a Good Food for Coats Tomato Juice Gets Rid of Skunk Odor Dogs Naturally Have Bad Breath Raw Egg Is Good for Your Dog s Coat Never, Ever Shave Your Dog s Coat Garlic and Brewer s Yeast Get Rid of Fleas Never Use Human Shampoo on Dogs A Dog s Saliva Has Fewer Germs than a Human s Chapter 21: Ten Timesaving Grooming Tips Use No-Rinse Shampoo for Touchups Keep a Rubber Basin Handy for Quick Cleanups Grind Rather Than Clip Your Dog s Nails Brush Regularly to Keep Fido s Breath Fresh and Teeth Clean Employ Snoods and Hoods to Keep Clean Keep Your Pooch in a Pet Cut Add Beautiful Shine to Your Dog s Coat Enjoy a Refreshing Blast Perform a Quick Hair Pickup Substitute in a Pinch Chapter 22: Ten Best Ways to Make Grooming a Pleasant Experience Getting into a Grooming Routine Starting Out Small and Building Up Taking Your Time While Grooming Using the Right Equipment...327

12 xx Dog Grooming For Dummies Controlling the Situation at All Times Sparing Yourself the Agony: Ergonomics Making Your Dog Comfortable Showing Your Dog that Grooming Is Fun Procrastination = Grooming Nightmare Don t Worry, Be Happy: Keeping It Upbeat Appendix: Grooming Resources Web Sites Grooming your own dog Grooming for yourself and others Grooming Supplies Grooming and Dog-Related Magazines Other Useful Reference Books Index...339