I am thinking about ordering a grooming table by mail order and don't know if I should order the control arm or not? As I am relatively new to dogs and associated doggy equipment I thought I would ask some of the more experienced people on this board if they use the control arm or not? As it costs an extra £25 on top of the table it doesn't seem worth ordering unless it is likely to be used.

By the way it is one westie I have and the table will just be used at home as I do not show.

Alison

Hi Alison

I have a table and grooming arm, I used to use my grooming arm all the time, but now I hardly use it at all...they are a good investment if you are on your own...it does help you with your dog standing still..where are you getting your table from?? I got mine from DeZina Dog and it came down at £99 (in Jersey so VAT free)...

HTH

Natasha

Ailsa, do you have anywhere, a shed or a garage, that you can erect a piece of kitchen worktop. Just a batten on the wall and 2 chrome legs (the poles sold for wardrobe hanging rails.) Or the top of a chest freezer with an old piece or rubber matt or carpet on top.
Then a couple of strong hooks in the wall to tie a fabric lead, and you can save yourself £100!!!

hi
as a groomer myself i find a grooming arm is essential ,
a table is a long way from the ground, esp for a small dog or any dog come to think of it, a grooming arm acts as a third hand making you feel more confident and making the dog more secure, also there are some instances were you need both hands to do something in fact the more i think about it i use both hands quite a lot for grooming so am relying on the grooming arm quite a lot! even with an "experienced" dog anything can happen to make a dog "jump" a phone ringing , a knock on the door, anything,
so i would say a grooming arm is just as important as a table if not more so.
make sure you NEVER leave a dog unatended on atable with or without a grooming arm accidents do happen so easily this is the first thing i instill in new groomers
hope this helps
teters

Alison,

If you still wanted to get a table after the suggestions of some others such as a table made out of contiboard with a rubber mat on it.

I searched high and low for what I thought was the best table and arm.

I got them both form Simpsons I can send you link if you want. Buy the small size as it is still big.

I show my 2 westies and bought the medium but to be honest it is slightly too big and I should have got the small. I also use my arm all the time.

Regards.

PS I only use my trolley table for showing. I use a kitchen unit in the garage set up all the time with a piece of rubber I bought at a show. I keep my things in the cupboard below.

Pamela

Thanks for all the replies. I have ordered a table form Simpsons and also the arm.

The lady on the phone at Simpsons asked if I wanted belly straps - does anybody use these? I didn't order them this time but can always get them later. Speak about picking it up as you go along...........!

Alison

I don't use the beely straps. I think they forget sometimes you have to get at the dog..LOL

Pam :-))