Using a Grooming Loops..Not

I don't use any type of grooming loops.

Well, that is not totally true.

We do have Grooming Loops in our tubs, but I do not use them for every dog.

I do require my Self-Serve customers to use the Grooming Loops in our Self-Serve tubs.

The Grooming School that I went to had homemade tables with no Grooming Loops.

There wasn't even a place to put a Grooming Loop if you wanted to use one.

The owner of the school believed that you should be able to keep your dog on your table.

God help you if she saw your dog jump off that table.

I only had two dogs jump off of my table.

Thankfully my instructor was not in the room either time.

I have talked before about the little white poodle that jumped off and took off out the back door into the fenced yard.

I tackled her half way across the yard, and got my first bite in the process.

That little stinker could have bitten me all day, there was no way that I was going to let go of her.

You better believe I didn't let anyone open that back door during grooming for the rest of the time I was there.

The other dog that jumped off the table was a Spaniel mix that jumped off of my table half a dozen times within 5 minutes.

I was in tears.

The receptionist came over and held the dog on the table for me.

(That was another thing that the teacher did not like...other people helping you.)

He was one of those types of dogs that would have jumped even with a Grooming Loop.

Sorry, got off track.

I have nothing against using Grooming Loops, or The Groomers Helper, or The Lips system.

Well...that's not all together true.

I am not that crazy about The Lips system, but I don't knock other groomers for using them.

I have been surprised at how many groomers get upset at me for not using a Grooming Loop.

I very rarely have a dog jump off of my table.

Of course, my grooming back board keeps most dogs from even trying to jump.

I like having three sides of my table closed off.

What about the open side?

Well, that may be the only good thing about being a full figured woman, my dogs have a hard time getting past me.  :)

I don't like using Grooming Loops simply because they get in my way.

I am always turning my dogs.

I even have most of them trained to turn on command, even the big dogs.

I just tap the table were I want them to turn and they turn for me.

I don't mind them sitting while I groom.

I don't mind if they sit on my back board while I groom them.

They can even lay down if they want to.

OR...

They can do what the Portuguese Water Dog I groomed today did.

They can roll over onto their back.

This was the only way that she would let me pluck her ears.

 She actually stayed still lying like this.

When I tried to pluck her ears while she was standing or sitting, she kept jerking her head away.

When I let her lay down and roll over, she let me pluck the ears.

Go figure.

I am all for working with the dog, and doing whatever helps the dog feel comfortable.

I like not using a Grooming Loop.

I am very careful with my furry friends.

I have seen dogs try an jump off of a table with a Grooming Loop around their neck.

It is enough to take 5 years off of your life.

If you use a Grooming Loop, don't become over confident that your dog won't jump.

They can still jump and hang.

I even take the Grooming Arm and Loop off of my table when I compete.

I haven't gotten in trouble with the Judges yet.  :)

Happy Grooming, MFF