At the Parlour

The girls were back at "the parlour" getting ready for our overseas guests who arrive on Tuesday.

Barbie even got her body scissored and spent a fair amount of time on the table.
A run was a welcome relief...
Along with a bonus hug...it was a great reward.

Now I just hope both girls can stay clean until Rui and family arrive!

Barbie-doll

On the weekend I went to the Peterborough shows to bring Barbie to see her breeder, Allison Foley (TG Poodles, Shelties and Beagles). I entered Stormy as well, as I was going to be there and picked up five points (bonus). But the main purpose of the trip was to bring Barbie so Allison could see how she was coming along, and to also get some tips about grooming. I learned a lot and Barbie got her hair styled. You can see more candid shots of her on our Poodle blog. Wednesday is bath day, so she got fussed up for the photo shoot.

Stuff...lots of stuff

I was inspired to do this post when I saw on Jo Ann's blog her tack box laid out. I was so sorry to have missed her grooming seminar...and it was only 15 minutes away! It sounds like it was a super weekend for Sheltie and Collie folks.

When I was packing up Bunny and her gear heading out to the Poodle grooming seminar I looked in my cupboard and wondered what I should bring to groom a Poodle. We have products of all description collected over the years. Whatever product a handler was using at the time, whatever was the latest and the greatest. Not only do we have one bottle of a certain product, but we have multiples of things I haven't used in years. Penaud, Persian Hanna, Cindra products and enough hairspray to last a lifetime! I ended up taking a small plastic case with two scissors, two pin brushes, two combs and a slicker. A spray bottle of water with conditioner as well. That was all I ended up bringing with me, and honestly there wasn't anything I felt I was lacking. If I was going to a show, I'd have to up the ante and bring a bit more gear...
I smiled when I saw Alan Waterman's table full of products used to groom Poodles; it looked pretty similar to my collection in the cupboard, but with a few additions (which naturally I ran out to Sally's to pick up). Interesting was the fact he bathes his dogs in Palmolive, and if they are really greasy then it is Dawn dish soap. I have heard of this before, but have never tried it. So note to self...buy some dish soap for dogs. ha ha

Another difference is that with Poodles, they take the hairspray out after each show, and there is a product for that application (which I'll have to buy now as well).

Despite the extraordinary amount of products stockpiled; I feel I really don't use a lot of stuff. (Though I think my overseas friends might have a coronary looking at this!)

I looked in my tack box and laid out the things I reach for when grooming for show. Also I usually have three spray bottles at a show, one with water, one with conditioner (this varies depending on which dog I'm showing at the time) and one with Self Rinse. I think I'm missing baby powder and hair gel in this picture.

Along with my tack box, I have a grooming apron and several towels, dog food, bowls, show clothes, extra crates and x-pens. Directions, rabies certificate and passport if going to the US.

I have a dremel for the nails, and that is done before the show, so I don't have to bring that along. The teeth are scaled also.

So what is in your cupboard?

Poodle Grooming 101

I travelled to Syracuse with Bunny for the weekend to attend a grooming seminar given by Alan Waterman, a well known Poodle handler. It was a two day workshop, with the first day devoted to the puppy trim.

This was the puppy used for the demonstration. She'd never been scissored before...This is pretty much the after photo...showing how to emphasize angulation in rear, to cut in the loin and belly area and also the neck and front legs. Alan did one side of her, and then we had to work on our puppies.

The following day concentrated on showing us how to put a Poodle into "pattern". In this case, the continental clip. Poodles must be shown in either the continental clip or the english saddle clip once they turn a year old. This girl had her birthday the week before, so she had to get her "big girl" trim. Roughing in the clip. and making the front bracelet...Alan starts off by making the pom-pom on the hip square and will round off the edges later.

The reasoning behind the elastics on the topknot are to keep the long hair away from the dogs mouth and eyes. This hair is later held with elastics and hairsprayed up to give height. The hair on the ears are likewise protected, but they go further by wrapping the hair and folding it up, so it doesn't drag on the ground, or get chewed off by the dog.

I didn't get any photos of Bunny at the seminar, and I joked she'd be coming home in a continental clip, but decided I needed the practice with scissoring. So it took me two days, and her hair kept getting shorter and shorter trying to even out the chop marks! Oops!!!

I just put her on the deck a few moments ago to show her new "do". A bit radical...and went a bit too short, but the good thing about hair is, it grows!

'Puter Butt

Last week after processing the photos of the dogs running, I realized I needed to do more brushing and less blogging! Now Pete isn't helping; because on the weekend he got me a new computer. P r e t t y! Naturally, I've had to get acquainted with the new system, hence the title of this post!

You may have noticed the new blog template (you can get those for free...kind of fun) and because I had a new template, I needed a new header. So, I'm done (I think). I'm not making much progress on the "less blogging...more brushing". But Bunny and Stormy are waiting outside for me to take them for a walk in town. So I'm getting off my butt now, and doing more walking...and then more brushing.

Scruffy dogs

I am doing things with this blog, that I never did on the website. I am putting pictures of our dogs looking pretty unkempt! Oh dear. So I am going to bury myself in Sheltie (and Poodle) fur for a few days and get them all spiffy. It is supposed to snow for a week starting today, so I might as well be snowed in with my good friends.

Stormy needs the full spa treatment...ears, feet and a good massage with a pin brush! And it is time to do portraits of her. Juno (in front) doesn't carry much coat, and I noticed someone (Bunny) chewed her withers, so she won't see the show ring in awhile. But she needs a bath nonetheless. Gabi is bathed often, as her coat texture changed after she was spayed...she doesn't look too bad. Nova hasn't a stitch of clothes left after her litter. She is low maintenance, but could still use a trim around her ears.

Paris...just a little off behind the ears!

Bath and trim for Valerie and Eva! Eva needs her portrait taken also, so she can be put on our site. In all the photos we have of her she is running amok.

It could be worse; I am just glad they are running in snow and not mud!

Bunny at 6 months

When we returned we noticed a big change in Bunny. She went from five to six months of age, and had a whole month's growth of hair on her face, feet and tail...making her unrecognizable as the former Bunny! It was cute, but in my opinion, not a great look for her.

So yesterday she had a makeover...That is more like it!

She grew quite a bit, and is now about 20 inches at the shoulder and is eating four cups of food a day, so her appetite is much improved. She still doesn't go upstairs, so I tried teaching her yesterday. She had her nails dug in, and wasn't impressed. When upstairs, she could see the reflection in the mirror of the dogs down below and didn't quite know what to think! She was growling...and if she had could her hackles would have been raised! I went stair by stair with her back downstairs and she was relieved to be in familiar territory. She hasn't been upstairs since.

Cocoa-Bean and Coconut Cupcakes

It is the third day of a three day show weekend and I’m exhausted. I’m out of practice going to shows and waiting around for the group judging. I drove home after a long day yesterday and then had a party to go to. Then this morning I’m preparing dinner for my Mom’s Birthday party tonight. So far I’ve made The Barefoot Contessa’s coconut cupcakes (which if you haven’t tried, are to die for) and I’ve prepared the roast. (So Mom if you’re reading this…surprise!!!) All Pete has to do is put it in the oven while I’m at the show. I went to bring in Cocoa after being out in the yard for half an hour and she was wet and muddy. So she’s been bathed and blown dry. Writing the blog is my way of relaxing a bit before I have to hit the road.

Little "Cocoa-Bean" has been terrific. This is her first time at a show, and she is a natural. She uses her ears non-stop and moves out beautifully. She is a lot of fun. She has won her class of 5-6 both days and taken reserve to a lovely mature tri girl. She also took best puppy both days. She reminds me most of our Gabrielle, who was this way as a baby…confident, happy and game for whatever you ask of her.

I brought Bunny along for the ride yesterday. I wanted her to get used to the noise of a dog show, and I also wanted some grooming advice from the Poodle handlers. She was fine with the noise and trotted beside me confidently and wanted to meet everyone. She was a hit with my Sheltie friends, who can relate to her beauty. I got some really great grooming tips and one of the handlers did a great trim on her…on one side! She said, now I have to make it match on the other side! The transformation is amazing…she looks like a show puppy. I had her in a nice rounded out “pet” look, and now she is angular and dramatic. Pictures of both Bunny and Cocoa will have to wait until the sun is out.

PART TWO

This is for Rui! Wish you were here...too much food for us to eat. My Mom took a "doggie bag" home with cupcakes and icing.

Had a successful day at the show today. Cocoa once again won her class and went on to win WB/BW and Best Puppy in Group. Great prizes today, we won $50 worth of gas cards and a Tim's card. What a fun little puppy, shows non stop, not worried about the noise or all the shenanigans that were going on behind her in the puppy class. We had a LOT of compliments from non-Sheltie people, which makes me think we're on the right track with soundness. Also compliments from Sheltie breeders, so that feels good as well. Cocoa enjoyed a cupcake when she got home!

A Poodle?

A Poodle? That is the most common reaction when I say to people we got a new breed of dog. They are incredulous. I'm not sure if it is that they don't think of me as a "Poodle" person...as someone that can manage hair. Yes, I would understand that as I am not the world's greatest groomer. I get by. Our first Sheltie litters had ones with fitted coats. Starlight Express, Search Party, Poetic Justice. It was hard to mess up. You didn't have to take anything away, you just had to make up what was there. The Shelties in the ring today are done to the nines. Sculpted, scissored and shaped. I can't do that, I'm not that skilled.

Maybe the reason people are surprised is I told them we got a big dog that is going to be our "guard dog". They go, "a Poodle"? Bunny our white guard Poodle! The truth is, I wanted a larger dog, and realized that I am a bit allergic. The bigger the dog, the more allergic I am. So it had to be hypoallergenic. I may never have considered getting a Standard Poodle if it weren't for that reason...I think I was afraid of the maintenance! Now that she is here, I don't know what took me so long to "find" this breed! They are amazing! I am in love with Standard Poodles and I could see having another one day.

As far as the maintenance? They are high maintenance, especially if you want to show. Bunny needs to be bathed once a week and blown dry. So has had eight baths since she's been here. I scissor her, even though I shouldn't as I'm not really sure what I'm doing yet. But I am enjoying every minute and it is like doggie topiary! A change is as good as a rest, they say, and I'm enjoying the change! Adding a new breed hasn't taken away anything from the Shelties. They are still the loves of my life. The most beautiful, sensitive and EASY breed.

Getting Away

We are lucky to have Connie. Connie has been with us for about 4 years helping with the dogs. The dogs are crazy about Connie and for good reason. She is kind and gentle, she makes sure she says good morning to each and every one of the dogs, making sure they are all doing well. She cares about their well being, and she has a pretty good throwing arm too! Connie comes here when we go away. We have been fortunate to be able to get away this year to both National Specialties; the ASSA in Denver and the CSSA in Calgary. We went to Salt Lake City in August and just this past weekend we spent 3 nights in Quebec City. I miss the dogs when I go away, and more so at the moment with our newest addition. Did the dogs miss me? Maybe Gabi...I'd have to say I would hope Gabi would know I was gone...but the others? No, I don't think so. Why would they miss me when with Connie it is like summer camp all day! This past weekend the weather was fabulous, so Connie spent the day in the dog yard with the "kids" playing ball with them. Yes, we are lucky...very lucky!
Bath day again...Bunny looks pretty pleased with herself! She's pictured romping in the leaves with Juno on the left and Cocoa on the right. She also likes her new Kuranda bed...I put it together myself, and I even followed the directions!

On clippers and reading instructions

Ask Pete. I don't read instructions. I just buy something, and then figure it out as I go. He, on the other hand, will read the manual cover to cover. We're a good team! So today I made my first attempt at clipping Bunny. I opened up my brand new clipper, which had a #10 blade attached. Opened up the blade I needed and then realized I had to get the blade off that was on the clipper. Seeing screws on the blade, I reached for a screwdriver, and uncrewed the screws. Off popped a blade and another smaller blade and the two screws. I tried to put on the new blade, the #40 and realized that I shouldn't have unscrewed the #10! So half hour later, after much swearing, picking up screws that would fall to the floor and sorting out the mechanics of the blade, I got it back together and back on the clipper. Then I realized there was a button to push and the blade pops off! Ah ha!!! OK, now were ready to go! One freshly washed and dried poodle, one new clipper, new blade, oil on blade and away I go. Wow, the hair came off pretty easily. Lucky for me I just had to follow the lines made by Allison. So I clipped Bunny's face, her tail and then did a bit on her feet. Didn't come out too bad, though certainly not a professional job. But we all have to start somewhere! Bunny was very good about it all. I must say, Poodles have to endure a lot! She was feeling pretty pleased with herself after and enjoyed her first walk with the gang doing the Bunny hop.

Bunny at 10 weeks

We gave miss Bunny a bath and blow dry. Here she is at 10 weeks of age, little miss Bunny foo foo.