Can anybody recommend a good grooming parlour in the Swindon area. I've just struggled with burrs sticks and mud in my oldest Sheltie and I've decided enough is enough.

You could try http://www.charneykennels.co.uk/clipping.htm

I have used Hair of the Dog at Basepoint Business Park (near the Renault building) and they did a good job on my oldie Airedale (in fact, he's ready for another tidy!)

Hi AiredaleKate

Right now this is where I really show my lack of knowledge with regards to professional grooming.

What do I need to ask for when booking my furball Sheltie in? Are there special terms/description or cuts that are done for specific breeds.

She has some small matts in her 'trousers' that she won't let me get out and her coat just looks untidy and 'endy'. She is a little shy and won't relish going to the groomers, so are they reasonably gentle at Hair of the Dog?

Hi Pinky,

as you probably know Shelties are not normally clipped so that being the case there wont be a specific name for a sheltie 'cut' :)  I'd imagine if you explain she has matts which she is reluctant to let you remove then any groomer worthy of the name will be very able to understand what is required and know exactly how best to do this without distressing your girl.

I'd also suggest you ask when there for advice on how to cope with this type of coat so that neither of you have problems in the future :)  Is your bitch spayed?  This often makes this type of coat more wooly in texture, profuse in growth and consequently trickier to keep on top of.

Pinky, your Sheltie shouldn't be clipped.  They may well make a 'poo gully' under her tail that will not be seen, and could, if you ask, remove the coat that knots in the armpits and inside the hind legs.  Apart from that, only the feet and any straggly hair around the ears should be tidied.  A good groomer will do all of this automatically.  Firm but kind is what is needed!  It's better to get the job done kindly and quickly that to be pulling a dog about all day! :)

Charney have been training groomers for over 30 years and Carley is the second generation. :)

normally when people are booking in shelties, rough collies and that kind of dogs they will ask for an all over tidy. which in my book means a good bath (dryed with a blaster to loosen undercoat) and brush and they will say if they want any trimming - feet, ears, hygiene(cant spell it). as long as you specify exactly what you want done then it shoud be fine. if they ask you how old the dog is, if shes been groomed before, what her temprements like and asks you (although you probably will already told them) exactly what the dog has to get done, then they should be able to trust them do groom your dog. hope this helps :)

Hi Teri

Yes she was spayed after her second season which was about April/May time and it has had an effect on her coat, prior to that I didn't have a problem with her, it is a lot heavier and longer and as you say woolly. Is it normal to have the feathering on the legs tidied up and the 'ends' around the trousers or are they just left long and flowing? If that makes sense!!

Hi again pinky,

WestCoast has advised above what's likely to be required (and grooming advice don't come better than that BTW).  I'd go with WestCoasts recommended groomer too :)

Job done thanks girls :)

Westcoast
One quick question for you, I seem to remember is a thread sometime back that you have a 'special mixture' for spraying on your dogs when grooming, it had various oils I think like lavender and others.
Can you remind me again what it was?

Sure.  It's a great grooming spray but fleas hate it! :)

These are pure essential oils keep them away from dogs they will last for ages

21 drops of Geranium
14 drops of Lavender
21 drops of Eucalyptus
14 drops of Tea Tree

Mix in a plant sprayer with 250-300 mils of warm water and spray your dog while you groom not only will he/she smell wonderful but the insects hate it.

I've also sent you a PM. :)

I have a silly question - where do you buy essential oils? I have a few clients who tend to come in with fleas, I do tell the owners to treat the house and furnishings as well as the dog, but if this spray would help at all....

LucyDogs

Westcoast is probably the best one to answer this, I assumed it would be somewhere like The BodyShop, we'll see what westcoast says

Boots do essential oils.

Thanks! :-)

I dropped a rather nervous young lady off at the 'beauty salon' this morning.

Lovely smell of 'doggy beauty products' in the air.

Can't wait to see her when I collect later today.
Very pleasant staff as well

I sent Isla to the groomers a while back to get her used to it.  They bathed and dried her and brushed her.  Caroline the groomer is lovely and regularly clips my westie (my goodness what high maintenance is she).  She pointed out that the areas to pay most attention to as they get matted so easily are behind the ears, armpits and around the top of the back legs.  Isla at 6 months (today!) is now growing her adult coat and the teacher at ringcraft described her as a hairy mary LOL.  So I am brushing and combing her every day to prevent matts occurring.  I read that it helps to put a bit of conditioner in with some water in a plastic spray bottle to spray on the coat while grooming.  My breeder also told me that one should use a Mason Pearson hairbrush and I have noticed that sheltie breeders and those who show them do indeed use them, they are ideal for sheltie's long coats and brush without splitting the ends.  However they are so expensive that I am at the moment making do with the various combs and brushes that I have.  if she turns out to be a star lol then I might buy one!

Snowflake