How often do you groom your dog?

[Kimmikins]

If at all? Do you send them to the groomers, do it yourself or do they just need bathing? Sara gets bathed either when she's muddy or stinky, which isn't that often...I do want to invest in some better shampoo though!

Scrumpy Jack goes to the groomers about every 8 weeks to be stripped/cut and trimmed. He also gets bathed there, the only thing that doesn't get done are his nails. If he goes too long without a trip to the doggy salon her goes really shaggy, knotty and looks like a small sheep! We've used the same groomer since he was first cut at 6 months old, she's fab! She's invested in several different harnesses as he's figured out how to wriggle out of most of them over the years, and she uses a different pen when he's there because he tries to kill her usual one that has feathers on the end.

[Jordan]

Feathers on the end?

I've never used a groomer, never saw the need and there was no local one until about 4 years ago.

Jordan always got a daily brush and comb and once a week good brush out which she loved!

When I got Domino he was dirty and matted and hated being handled, really frightened and growled at me especially if i went anywhere below the waist. So I had to take things very slowly and often with him brushing and massaging him 4 or 5 times a day just sort of one leg at a time so to speak. His coat was noticably softer after just a few days but I decided he really needed a bath as his legs and under carraige were really grubby and no way was he letting me near them. So we took the plunge and surprisingly enough it went very well. I just did the said areas so as not to stress him too much and get him in and out the bath as quick as possible. I think after that he realised i was helping him, not harm him! It took months of little and often to be able to just pick up the brush and groom him without treading on eggshells. His tail was the last area he was very protective of but here we are 10 months and enjoying his daily once over including foot baths and weekly grooming as well. Not sure if a groomer would have looked at him or he cope with her had I taken him to one. I like doing the grooming myself and i cant afford the expense anyway so will just carry on doing it myself.

[sarahhound]

Almost never. They saw a brush on Tuesday for the first time this year!

[Adrianne]

...Oh for a greyhound! Cupar the hairy monster is quite long haired and needs groomed daily..its a good routine to be in though 'cos spaniels get knots and tangles under their ears easily. he comes in out of the woodland some days and it really wouldn't surprise me if a squirrel jumped out from his fur.. its got everything else in it..branches, seeds leaves, brambles... he only gets a bath about every 3 months unless he has played in anything really foul, I work closely with a groomer, but would never let anyone touch him with the scissors or clippers.. I love his long hair, he doesn't look much like your average working type springer..more like a setter.

[Kimmikins]

Jan 17, 2014 9:03:26 GMT Adrianne said:

He comes in out of the woodland some days and it really wouldn't surprise me if a squirrel jumped out from his fur.. its got everything else in it..branches, seeds leaves, brambles...

Sara has short hair, but my word does she shed! She needs furminating to try and keep on top of it and to get the dead hair out; initially she wasn't that fond of it, but then realised it's essentially belly rubs and fuss and now loves it.