One of the responsibilities of owning a standard poodle is to maintain their coat with a regimen of regular brushing and visits to the groomer. We're pretty good about taking Sheldon to the groomer every month, but not so good with the brushing in between. As a result, Sheldon looks great for two to three weeks, and then shaggy and frizzy for one to two weeks. This photo is the day Sheldon returned from the groomer, his coat looking smooth and silky. He received a good report card from the groomer for good behavior. He genuinely enjoys going to the salon and socializing with all the other dogs. What he's not so crazy about is the in-between brushings at home. Now I wouldn't say that he dislikes it, but he just tolerates it. I suppose if I kept up with the brushing it wouldn't be so difficult to run a comb or brush through his coat. So I decided to brush Sheldon a bit right away, just after his groom, so he would get used to the rhythm of the brush. Sheldon didn't think it was such a swell idea. In fact he ran away with the brush, from room to room always four steps ahead for my two.
above: After absconding with his grooming brush, Sheldon cautiously approaches me when I sternly beckoned. He sported a devilish grin with the brush in his mouth...
above: Sheldon decided to tell me what he really thought of his brush.
above: Keep in mind that Sheldon has never destroyed anything at home. He has a range of chew toys, bones, rawhide and such that he knows are his to gnaw on. But this grooming brush was another matter. If you look closely you can see his teeth marks on the handle!
above: We finally settled down and had a little chat about chewing the grooming brush. He flashes a knowing expression and agreed to a few more strokes. I just need to be a better poodle-dad and keep up with the in between brushes so it's not such an ordeal for the little guy. He may have been right after all in this adventure.
-Rick Rockhill
17 comments:
Looks like you both got your exercise out of this! Sheldon is quite handsome! But, of course, he already knows this:).
Sheldon is a fun little guy, huh? He's such a cutie...
what a stinker that sheldon is, lol. but awfully cute.
Yes, he's handsome and so is his dad, who ought to groom him more often....LOL
he is a cutie pie but i DO seem to remember a little paper towel episode or two??? ha ha ha
smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
How fun, he is a riot!
Mason is the same way...loves the groomer and always has a shining, perfect report card. He goes every 6-8 weeks. But, just like you, his daddies need to be more attentive to his brushings daily.
Just came by to say "thanks" for your kind words on my short story ("Kim in Satin") over at Tracie's.
Beautiful dog - standard poodles are impressive. Except: I thought one of their selling points is that they don't have to be brushed?
Thankfully -the only animal in our house at this time is Chino the cat (short-haired one at that) and she doesn't really need the grooming routine. Good thing too cause with Maya and Kurtis here, there's enough to be done trying to keep them looking at least half-way clean, not like a couple of orphans or ragamuffins!
I could just picture you chasing Sheldon and the brush though and I had to chuckle about that vision -been down that road a time or two in years past when we had a dog in the family!
Sheldon is such a cutie :)
Hi Rick,
It almost 4am and I woke up with a bit of a stomache ache, and can't sleep so I checked my blogs and saw this. Sheldon is a beautiful standard. I grew up with a show standard named Gus (or at least that is what we called him at home. His show name was Prancing Prince...not famous as he never placed top 3, but we loved him all the same. This may be self serving as they are one of my client....but I represent Pet Head by Bed Head and they make a conditioner (that you carry) that is made to smooth and silken just the type of "hair" that a poodle has. May I suggest using that in the middle of groomings? Does he like water? If so...this would actually help to not have to groom him professionally every month. Also, they have a waterless conditioning spray that will do the same. I love standards, and think Sheldon is very handsome, so I just wanted to suggest an easier way of keeping him that way all the time!! Do you ever bring him to work? I would love to meet him someday.
I give my little guy a bath once a month and use de-tangler spray once a week. whew, it is a lot of work!
Our Lab hated being brushed, and she used to tolerate it for no more than a couple of minutes. It got worse in the "between" months when shedding was a problem. We needed to brush her more, but she wanted it even less!
LOL, LOL...Sheldon is such a sweet looking dog...who would think that he wasn't too thrilled with the brishing and combing...! But, animals do have their likes and dislikes, just like people, don't they?
I love the cheeky photo of him holding the brush. A little spark of innocent defiance there.
I hope it is okay to post this request for Susan Boyle.
Many of us cannot vote for Susan because we do not live within the BGT borders. for love & confidence in Susan Boyle we wrote up a petition for America & the surrounding none UK countries.
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Thank you,
Camisu11
Please VOTE!
also a video:
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I hope it is okay to post this request for Susan Boyle.
Many of us cannot vote for Susan because we do not live within the BGT borders. for love & confidence in Susan Boyle we wrote up a petition for America & the surrounding none UK countries.
http://www.petitiononline.com/VOTESUSN/petition.html VOTE ONLINE
Thank you,
Camisu11
Please VOTE!
also a video:
http://www.susan-boyle.com/video/VOTE-PETITION-FOR-SUSAN-BOYLE-w
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