I have always accessorized my fur clients with cute bows, or fun bandanas. Recently, I ran across these simple instructions for making neckties for boy dogs. It looks really easy, and you can use any bits or pieces of fabric that you may have. Or, go to the store and buy a square of seasonal fabric. Anything goes!
INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Square piece of fabric. 2. Cut it in fourths, depending on the size. 3. Take one square and fold it to make triangle leaving the hemmed edge toward bottom. 4. Cut off the tip at the right side to make the tie less bulky. 5. Unfold the square. 6. Fold the left side over one third and then the right side one third. 7. Fold down to make it the length you need & turn it over. 8. Gather the top and put an elastic band around it. Voila! Tie! I've included some photos that I found on a forum, that show exactly how it's done. From an article of mine first published in Petigree Magazine. Dear Danielle: Dear Mrs. W,
There are several different ways a mixed-breed dog may be groomed. We call them 'character clips'! The style I choose will depend on several things. The size and shape of the dog, the texture and thickness of the coat, the personality of the dog itself... and most importantly, your preference as the pet parent! I always have a pet consultation, when a dog first comes in. This way, I can help you decide what is the perfect style for your dog and your lifestyle! THEY ARE YOUR FRIEND, YOUR PARTNER, YOUR DEFENDER, YOUR DOG. My passion for dogs started when I was a child. My earliest photos show me with an American Cocker Spaniel when I was two years old, and I have owned and loved dogs ever since! I have a special passion for German Shepherd Dogs, and I have been honoured to have bred, shown and loved dogs from World Champion, top German bloodlines. Best of the best! My love of German Shepherds began in 1970, when as a birthday gift, I was given the fabulous Beltane of Domashma, son of 2x's Grand Victor Yoncalla's Mike. 'Shane' epitomized everything that the German Shepherd Dog is famous for - and more! In 1971 I acquired the dog of a lifetime - Wodan Von Mazeru, son of the World Champion. 'Dune' later went on to excel as a member of the Toronto Police Force Riot Squad. In 1979 I attended North America's first, Government Certified Dog Trainer Academy. At the Academy I trained with my German Shepherd Dog under an International Police Dog Trainer. This led to an interest in - and deep respect for, the dog training sport of Schutzhund. I started showing in confirmation dog shows at this time, as well. My mighty Storm excelled in everything a dog can be. She went with the angels, quietly in my arms, at fifteen years of age. In 1987 I had yet another opportunity of a lifetime - a puppy from the best German Shepherd bloodlines in the world. Aztec Storm V Bullinger, was bred in Germany at Kirschental Kennels. My Mighty Storm excelled in everything a dog can be. She went with the angels, quietly in my arms at fifteen years of age. Storm's legacy includes my sweet Britta, who passed on at fifteen years, Cassie, and Cherokee Von WestStorm - My heart dog.
We now share our lives with an incredible dog - the light of my life, Uro Von Bullinger. Uro is the son of USA Sieger, VA1 SchH3 Utah Von Bullinger, and the grandson of 2x World Champion, VA1 SchH3 Vegas du Haut Mansard. True to form, Uro remains undefeated in the Show Ring! From an article of mine first published in Petigree Magazine. I would like to share with you, an incident that happened in my shop last week. Sasha, a lovely female Rottweiler came in for her bath. While she was with us, I thought she seemed rather pleased with herself. When her owner came to pick her up I found out why!
That morning, having found herself shut in the laundry room, Sasha promptly found her owners's slacks, took his wallet from the pocket and went to work. First she bit his credit card in half. Then she started on the cash! She ate her first one hundred dollar bill and was happily chewing on a second one when her owner arrived upon the scene. In the true spirit of animal lovers everywhere, this loving pet owner said it was all his fault and called us to say he was bringing her in for a nice bath! Wouldn't it be wonderful if all pets had such understanding owners! From an article of mine first published in Modern Dog Magazine. A: IT IS AN EXCELLENT IDEA TO BE PREPARED FOR this sort of emergency. When dogs get sprayed by skunks, it is often late at night. Even though you're tired, you must act promptly to wash off the oily, sulphur-based substance. The longer you wait, the more time it has to work into the hair shafts and skin, making the washing job even harder. Also if you delay, the substance is more likely to find its way onto other surfaces around your house. Knowing what to do ahead of time will make the smelly crisis much easier to deal with. What to do depends partially on the results you hope to achieve. To get rid of the smell completely, you need to do more than if you simply want to clean your dog up enough to prevent getting skunk juice on your carpet and furniture. To eliminate the smell, forget the tomato juice. It masks the odour but doesn't neutralize the cause of the smell. To do that, you will need two pints of fresh, unopened 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda (not powder), 1/2 teaspoon liquid dishwashing soap, and a pair of latex gloves. Soft-soap and Ivory Liquid are said to give the best results in this recipe. Be careful not to confuse baking soda with washing soda, which is sodium carbonate. Washing soda is a hundred times more alkaline than baking soda and can cause skin burns to both you and your pet. Skunk spray is a sulphur-based substance composed mainly of low-molecular-weight thiol compounds. According to Dr. Caceci of Texas A&M University, hydrogen peroxide is used to scrub similar compounds from industrial waste gas streams. Once mixed in our recipe, the hydrogen peroxide slowly breaks down into water and oxygen. It gets weaker with time, so you need to use it immediately after mixing. The soap will break up the oils in the skunk spray, allowing the secretion to come off your dog and wash down the drain. WHEN DOGS GET SPRAYED BY SKUNKS, IT IS OFTEN LATE AT NIGHT. EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE TIRED, YOU MUST ACT PROMPTLY TO WASH OFF THE OILY, SULPHUR-BASED SUBSTANCE. When you discover your dog has been sprayed, secure her with a collar and leash. She will be very distressed and may try to rub the smell off. Bathe her outside if possible. If not, use the bathroom with the door shut and the window open. Remain calm, letting her know that you will take care of everything. Try not to let her rub herself on your furniture or carpets if you bring her indoors. You also need to check if your dog was injured by the skunk. If you see blood or bite marks, consult a vet immediately, as skunks may carry rabies in your area. If her vaccinations are up to date, your dog should be safe from this virus. Often a dog will be sprayed on the neck while facing off with a skunk. The dog will turn her head away at the last minute to avoid being hit. If your dog wasn't quite quick enough and was sprayed in the face, you will need to get some Tricotine Liquid Douche Concentrate, or any over-the-counter douche. The peroxide mixture described above is harsh and stings and must not be used on the face. Mix your ingredients in an uncovered plastic pail. If the dog is very large, add one quart lukewarm water to get complet coverage. Wearing the latex gloves, wash the dog while the mixture is still bubbling, being very careful to keep it away from the eyes. The peroxide mixture must come into contact with the skunk spray in order to neutralize it, so make sure to work it well into your dog's coat. Lit it sit for five to ten minutes. You'll smell when it's ready to rinse. You may need to do a second application on heavily oiled areas. Use a washcloth to cover your dog's eyes while rinsing anywhere near the head. After the bath, check your dog's eyes. If they are red and watery, she may have taken a direct hit. While this won't blind her, it is very painful and you should contact a vet. She may be subdued and a little sick-feeling for the next day or two. Never, ever store the mixed solution in a closed bottle or other sealed container. Pressure will build up until the container explodes, possibly causing severe injury. This mixture is safe for humans and pets. There is the possibility of some colour bleaching due to oxidation. It doesn't mean a bleached-blonde dog, but could lighten some coats. Also if the baking soda isn't rinsed off completely it can leave a whitish residue. Finish up with a spritz of "Oh My Dog!" cologne and your pal will be her own sweet self once again!
It's gifting season & we have Gift Certificates. Get a Danielle's Dog Grooming Studio gift certificate for the pet lover on your list or let others know you'd love one in your stocking! Merry Christmas!
Is There Any Practical Reason For Putting a Coat On My Dog, Or Is It Just a "Human Thing"?11/28/2012 From an article of mine first published in Modern Dog Magazine. There are several reasons why many dogs should sometimes wear coats. Consider our own reasons for wearing them. To remain warm and comfortable, we layer ourselves with sweaters, overcoats and rain jackets when temperatures start to plummet. If we are ill we may add more clothing to help our bodies keep warm. Also, as we age our bodies may no longer warm up as quickly as they once did. All of these things are equally true for our canine companions. When winter sets in we hesitate to go outside without added protection. Well, so do many dogs! Some breeds come from hot climates and were never intended to hang out in the cold. Short-haired breeds such as the Chihuahua or Greyhound are uncomfortable in freezing temperatures. Dogs with little or no undercoat like the Maltese and Bichon Frise have no protection against harsh wind and rain. Even heavier-coated breeds such as the Pomeranian and Lhasa Apso will appreciate the added warmth of a cozy fleece-lined jacket when blizzards blow. If walking in the rain is your passion, make sure your dog's jacket is waterproof. Don't use one with a fabric that will become soaked through, wicking moisture toward the skin. If you live with a large breed such as a Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd Dog, you may want to check out one of the sporty-looking lines of fleece-lined and water repellent dog coats that are available. You also won't need to spend extra time drying Champ's fur off when you get home in order to keep your house clean. Chronic illnesses such as cancer and painful conditions like arthritis mean you need to keep your dog as comfortable as possible. At these times especially, a sweater or jacket will help stop the cold from sapping energy that the body needs for healing. Old age creeps up on us all and our precious dogs go through much the same processes in aging as we do. Their bodies have a hard time generating enough heat to keep their organs warm. Circulation may slow down. It is especially important to help our dogs stay warm and dry during those golden years. Too often we neglect our pets in this way because we think only humans should wear clothing. The fit of a garment is important. If it is too loose it won't be effective, and if it is too tight it will be uncomfortable. It should be fitted to reach from the base of the kneck to the base of the tail, and it should be nice and snug around the chest. Make sure the boys have room to relieve themselves. Don't forget your dogs's feet! Fitted gumboots for dogs protect the sensitive pads against salt, asphalt and sharp rocks. Dog's pads do not develop calluses the same way people's feet do. When it snows, boots will protect against frostbite and will keep snowballs from forming between the toes. You can find great lines of all-weather boots for any size of dog. Take them off at the door when your pet has been outside on rainy days, and... no more muddy paw prints on your floor! Muttluks is a Canadian-made line of boots that was used by search and rescue dogs at Ground Zero after 9/11. The company also makes Hottdoggers, fleece pull-on house shoes. Their no-skid soles also help provide traction on slippery surfaces such as hardwood floors and boat decks. Not every dog needs to wear a coat. Dogs do have fur, and many have enough to keep them warm during winter outings. My rule of thumb is, if it is cold enough for me to want to wear an extra layer, then my dog should be given the same level of concern for comfort and protection. Then of course there is the fashion appeal of it all. Most dogs have little concern for fashion, but many owners do care about appearances. There is so much creative and well-designed dog apparel available, keeping Snowy warm can be fun as well as practical. If your canine partner shivers just looking out the window this winter season, don't let winter blues put a crimp in your style. Cuddle your canine into a cozy sweater, take your pet for a jaunt in a practical parka, or step out with your buddy is a stylish bolero - and know that it benefits both of you! Uro's done it again! He just took first place at the Sieger Show! The judge took the time to personally congratulate me. I am SUCH a proud mom!
SV Judge Bernd Weber had come from Germany to judge this three day event. Uro turned 2 years old two days before the show, so he just got in the adult male, over two years class. Uro's ring handler, John was amazing. He did a fantastic job! Being out in the pouring rain and wind for six hours was definitely worth it! |
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604-996-1213 Author: Danielle Lea MacDonald, Certified Master Groomer IPG, ISCC. Pivotal member of the Society of Holistic Pet Stylists. Lifetime Member In Good Standing International Society of Canine Cosmetologists.Danielle's Studio is a full-service, pet grooming spa designed exclusively for grooming small dogs. I am committed to meeting the highest standards of the Pet Styling Industry. Grooming is my passion! VISIT OUR WEBSITE: daniellesgrooming.com
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