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We took Worthy to the professional groomer on Thursday for the clippering (always with a comb over the clipper so my boy can't get clipper burn!) and scissoring. I had done a lot of scissoring in preparation for the groomer, so it only took 30-40 minutes. I am doing the moustache and beard now, which makes doing his face (scissoring--no clippers on the face! Or on the feet) much easier for the groomer and more comfortable for him. Also, I can do his moustache and beard twice a month, and keep that hair from getting between his teeth. Chewing the right things is SO good for a dog's dental health. It not only cleans the teeth, but it sets the teeth more firmly in the jaw.

I had a hard time finding the right balls for Worthy for Christmas, but finally did. They only had 100 of them left, and I bought 6. Planet Dog.

One function the balls serve is very important to us. Worthy got into the habit--encouraged by hubby--of meeting hubby at the door and jumping up on him. Worthy can jump VERY high--and now that his SLO toenails are healed, he can do that.

When hubby finally got ready to change his ways, I put three balls on a tray out in the garage right next to the door to the house. He was to pick up a ball and be holding it when he came in, and throw it for Worthy to chase instead of jumping up on him. The other two balls were back-ups, in case Worthy stayed excited for jumping beyond one ball, or it rolled under furniture or something.

Well, that worked beautifully, and now hubby walks straight in the door without pausing, picks up a ball for Worthy and tosses it, and Worthy carries the ball around for awhile instead of jumping on hubby. He is very, very pleased to see hubby! But he is not jumping up.

Funny thing, he never did jump up on me when I came in that door. I kept a calm voice, did not stop, greeted him calmly, and he followed my lead. Silly hubby! Now Worthy often picks up the ball himself before hubby even has to toss it.

Worthy is 3 1/2 years old now. Standard Poodles seem to be a slow-maturing breed, and I think males mature more slowly than females. Early neutering also delays maturity. In this case it was probably ideal that he take extra time to mature. It gave me more time to train him!
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

So great to Worthy is doing so well. Was jumping a problem before when his nail were bad, painful I mean?

Grooming can be very stressful I know but, sounds like all went well.

I like the ball throwing idea. Have a neighbor that has that problem with their dane. I will tell her about it.

Thanks,
Cheryl

>>So great to Worthy is doing so well. Was jumping a problem before when his nail were bad, painful I mean?
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Yes, every single toenail split open, exposing the bare quick. Lots of dogs need pain pills for this. Worthy didn't, but I was careful what I asked of him. He potties in a fenced area that we pick up daily. I didn't take him for walks, and he gets lots of vitamins. He also was very wise in when and how much to lick his toenails to prevent infection and to remove shells as they became ready to come off.

It takes a long time for those quicks to get covered back up by nail shells. He seems to be growing shell in layters. I take him for walks--training walks--about 20 minutes long now, on cement. His nails are looking good, but are still not ready for grinding. We won't use a clipper on him any more. That squeezing of the nail in the process of clipping just has too much potential for causing pain, and there's no way to see INSIDE that nail to tell when something is going on in there.

Anyway, no, he did no jumping up while those hind nails were sore. One major reason he did not need pain medication is that he is smart and calm. He figured out stuff!
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47