Today a 5 year old black lab named Louis came to visit my grooming table. This was his first experience at being professionally groomed. Basically a bath and brush and nail trim procedure but a very big deal to Louis. He was nervous about the idea of getting into the tub so I used what I refer to as the Daisy technique. I put the leather chair up to the tub then encouraged him to get into that...not the least threatening a venture. Then I thump the inside bottom of the tub and tada he just hopped right in. He was still nervous but by no means distressed for the bath. He hopped out of the tub quite easily. It took a bit of encouragement to get him onto the grooming table...a towel on the table made that less scratchy sounding and less scary. Lots of hugging and good boy Louis and I was able to loop his hind end and effect a stand rather than a scrunch. I toweled and toweled until he felt more relaxed under my hands. Then...the velocity dryer...huh no problem...he stood quiet and just a little tense. I was able to blow him beautifully dry fluffing out and away a lot of undercoat. As soon as he started to show signs of tensing up too much I stopped the blowing process and moved on to a lot of rubber currying, combing and gentle massage. By the time I did all that he had lots of confidence in me and the nail trim went smoothly. We had a nice snuggle and visit time while we waited for his owner to return. All in all it was a very gratifying way to spent a couple of hours. Thanks Louis!

Today Diesel came to visit me on my grooming table. These are his before and after photos. He is a delightful ShihTsu...always an interesting groom. Today used a 5/8" blade on his body and scizzored his legs. Here's the thing with Diesel...I have usually got just one shot at his face. He does not tolerate the clippers on his face at all so I use my blending shears to tidy under his eyes and his brow. He was true to form on that point...as usual it took a bit of sweet talk and such to get his to come around to letting me use the blending shears even. The other issues he has are his front legs and paws and the ear plucking. Well surprise for me today...he was touchy but patient about his legs and paws and...it's a big AND he did not give me the usual biting lunges about getting his ears plucked. A very pleasant surprise...I do believe we have trust building here! Time will tell.

Buster came to have just a nail trim today. He's a cutie. I also trimmed some pine tar off his mouth area and blended down beneath his eyes as he's about half way to his next grooming. I do the between grooming nails gratis and threw in the face tidy as well. He'll be back in about 3 weeks for the full deal...and...what an improvement in behaviour since his owner has been doing her homework with combing and brushing and chin holding while she's at it. That is just wonderful. I didn't take a photo of him today as he was only here for 5 minutes.

Today Amos and Andy came to visit my grooming table. They are 6 year old toy poodles. They both got a #5 all over with poodle feet and clean poodle face...teddy ears...no topknot. It was a very simple straight forward trim. Both dogs were very well behaved for every aspect of the grooming process. It is always such a pleasure to enjoy the company of well behaved dogs.

I got their before and after photos and one bonus shot of them together lounging on the comfy chair that I have in the shop.

Today was a Molly day. She was back for her usual winter trim...a 1 inch comb body and scizzored legs...short round face. She is afraid of the drying process but an excellant dog to groom. She stands still and patiently waits for me to do my thing. Just a sweetheart.

This morning I had Pebbles return to my grooming table for her usual trim. She gets a #7 all over...she is a very hairy little girl. I use a #10 on the underside of her ears and between her toes. Her mom likes tight tidy feet done. Pebbles is Cavalier and very timid and sweet. I always enjoy her company and cuddles.

This afternoon Otis came to my grooming table for a 'tidy'. He is an eight month old Shih Tsu with beautiful long and well taken care of hair. Mom likes him long and combs him out every day. He has winter boots to wear so his tidy involves short round feet tapered up the leg somewhat. I blended the length of the coat down into the legs to give it a natural looking yet 'groomed' appearance. He is a good little guy and actually enjoys getting combed. His mom has done the right thing with him right from the start. He is a joy to work with.