Bath Time!

[labs4ever]

Ok  Baths,

Sophie   gets brushed twice a day and bathed  every six motnhs which I know is less then the rest of you.  And she gets bathed if she gets   dirty in between of course.  I also   wipe her down daily with wipes, so she stays pretty clean without   needing bathed.   One of our favourite  non work activiites is   grooming.  nails get checked on once a week.  and clipped as needed,  ears get cleaned out once a week. Can't remember the name of the shampoo I use on Sophie but  it is oatmeal soemthing.   I brush her with a brush that has  pins in it and a  comb that has metal teeth.    She gets brushed three times a day when she is blowing her coat.    The reason I don't bathe her as often is   I don't  want her skin to break down and   I check with other people to double check that she is not smelly or dirty!   

[Nianhel]

Nope. I am not required to do conformation and such. The breeder did say I was welcome to if I wanted, and encouraged me to see how he did with herding, just as an extra curricular activity. She also didn't specify any neutering or ear tipping requirements. But rather said that she trusted me to do what was best, and left it at that. Really the only "requirement" in my contract is that if I can no longer keep Phoenix, or he doesn't work out as a SD and I don't want to keep him, then I have to let the breeder know and she gets to decide if she wants to take him back or place him with somebody of her choosing.

In all actuality, Phoenix is very laid back. Especially compared to his brothers. He has his "play with me" zoomie moments, but if he can't get attention for the time being, he takes a nap and tries again later. During the 8 hour trip home, he slept most of the time. When I corrected him in the terminal for getting fidgety/fussy while waiting for a delayed flight, he flopped down and took a nap. I know right now he's a puppy, so things could change. But most puppies his age I'm familiar with, including his siblings, are very "run run run - pass out - run run run". He's just sorta laid back and floppy. If he keeps that trait, I think he'll make a superb SD just from the "hurry up and wait" aspect.

[Sheenar]

That is interesting about the COllie ears.  So Sheena do you have a simular contract with  Phoenix as far as  doing  confirmation and show stuff with the breeder?    And if so does she do that with ALL her clients or   just with those that are also SD prospects?    If I was wanting a Collie I would definitley get one from   your guys' breeder!   I  love COllies too actually as they are so  smart,  but I need that  layed backness, so  I have my Sophie girl!   

I think you've confused me with Crystal, Kerri.

[labs4ever]

Oh man! YOur right!  HOw did I do that!  Can I say I was on Mars yesterday!?    SOrry Sheena.   I did mean Crystal.   

[Sheenar]

Oh man! YOur right!  HOw did I do that!  Can I say I was on Mars yesterday!?    SOrry Sheena.   I did mean Crystal.

It's okay, Kerri. I still like ya.

[labs4ever]

OH good! I still like you too! Big hugs!      Actually I think we are in general all pretty goo  I d at keeping each other straight!    I wish we all lived closer to each other! 

[artiemouse]

Spirit is a Standard Poodle (without the fluff) so his daily coat maintenance is next to nothing (as easy as my weimer/pit mix).  I spend about 40 min a month, max, clipping.  His nails grow really slow, so we dremmel his nails about every 6-10 weeks depending how much time we spend in boots.

What kind of coat does your dog have?
Short coat, curly

How often do you bathe?
About once a week.  At home we have a shower head, but on bad days I take him to a self-wash

What kind of shampoo do you use?
Oatmeal for sensitive skin.  And when I can't find it, baby shampoo (unscented)

How do you dry when done?
Towel dry, then cue to shake.  Then cotton balls in the ears and a forced air dryer.  In the summer he air dries. 

Do you comb before/after/both?
Nope!  I take a F7 blade to him about once a month.  His ears are only about 1/2" long so when I remember I just run my brush through them.

What kind of brush do you use?
Soft tipped pin brush.  Another one I like is the Paws Brothers Rakke when I want to let it get a little longer.  Great for removing/cutting through matts.

Anything special you do?
He is on Evo.  I have a groomer do his toes and sanitary area about every other month.