Montage Puppy Notes p. 2

PUPPY CARE FOR BELGIANS

WHITE PINE 9/16" SOFT LIMITED SLIP COLLAR mini in size medium = for puppies 2-4 mo. (buckle too big in soft snap version, use limited slip) small = for puppies over 4 months old medium (13-19") = example Torchy, Ava large (14-22") = example George, Saint J & J FLAT-BRAIDED LEATHER LEAD 30" long 1/4" wide
COLLARS  I use collars made of a soft material that won't wear a hole around the ruff. The "limited slip" style can't choke the dog but still gives a little control for walking. They also come in non-limited slip with a snap closure.
LEADS I start my puppies with a thin, light nylon lead, not expensive because Belgian puppies love to tug on leashes and carry them in their mouths. After they are over this phase, I switch to a 4-6 foot thin leather leash for walking/training and a short flat-braided leather leash (30" long 1/4" wide) for training. The flat braided leads are really nice because they get softer and tighter with time, and are just the right length to snap around my waist when I take them off. WHERE TO ORDER COLLARS & LEADS:   Order collars from White Pine Outfitters Order short flat-braided training leads from J and J Dog Supplies for Obedience, Agility & Flyball

Toivo on the table

GROOMING TABLES  While you might think grooming tables are just for showdogs, actually this is one piece of equipment I have never known anyone to regret purchasing. A table makes life so much easier, and care of coat and nails is a snap! Most pet catalogs carry grooming tables, but the brand I like best because it is stable but very lightweight, is called Sett-r-rite and also a new brand called Ultralight. Size 24 x 38 Height 30" Leg style Square Tube Surface style Medium Texture Grooming arm single bolt clamp with noose Toivo is modeling a Sett-r-rite adjustable height 42" table but the 38" is a fine size for Belgians. NOTE: you have to train your dog to accept a noose restraint and never, ever (!!!) step away from the dog while restrained this way -- if he falls or jumps off the table he could choke to death. I only use the arm and noose for extra control if I don't have someone else to hold the dog and he keeps turning while I am scissors shaping hocks and feet, or trimming nails. All my Belgians love to jump on the table and love to be groomed, and they would lie there all day being line brushed without any restraint needed. WHERE TO ORDER A LIGHTWEIGHT TABLE   Table Works carries Sett-r-rite and Ultralight tables.

Some dogs can get a bit carried away with the table concept!

Favorite grooming tools

GROOMING TOOLS Pin brush - without coated tips (which can rip out hair) - start with a softer brush and progress to a stiffer model like a Christiansen #22 3/4 pin length (note: do not allow children to brush unsupervised - pins are sharp and can injure eye or make grooming unpleasant) Slicker brush - small, only use for shaping hocks and feet, never for body as it will break the hair Shedding rake - short tined, blue handled type is great Nail grinder - begin with small clippers and switch to grinder, I recommend the Cordless Minimite Dremel - the secret to grinding is hold the nail tightly between 2 fingers so there is no vibration and only grind for a moment at a time so it doesn't get too hot, going from nail to nail and then back to the beginning again. Click here to see youtube video clips How to Use a Dremel Starring Henson and Dremel 2 Starring Torchy, filmed by Mulan Madden! Here is a link to a detailed description with photos of how a Doberman owner uses the dremel tool on her dog's nails. Spray bottle - for coat conditioners mixed with water Forced air blow dryer - a 2-speed model is best so you can use the lower speed for near the head/ears; Metro Commander AFTD 2-Speed Dryer or something similar is a great choice (do not use a human hair dryer on a dog - can burn the skin and is not forced air, it only dries - dog dryers are cooler air and puff out the coat by forcing air with power through the hair). WHERE TO BUY GROOMING TOOLS: Cherrybrook caters to show folks and is a great place to get all of the above grooming tools as well as show collars and resco leads. Foster & Smith also carries many grooming tools. Ryans has great prices and many tools used by professional groomers.

GROOMING PRODUCTS Keep your puppy looking and smelling great with these products: Coat Handler Conditioner - mix 25% CH/75% water in a spray bottle and spray on before brushing Crown Royale Detangling Spray - perfect for keeping puppy fluff from snarling and for grooming spayed/neutered britches that tend to matt easily. It also smells delicious! The Stuff - spray on as a burr preventative before hiking in the woods to repel sticky plants. Be careful not to spray on floors, its slippery stuff. Cindra Super Coat Dressing - mix 25% SC/75% water in a spray bottle for a great smelling coat spray to use while brushing your puppy (for showdogs the mix is 50% SC/50% water used after applying Coat Handler, and blown dry with a forced air dog dryer) Hypoallergenic Shampoo - you won't need to bathe your puppy much (frequent bathing can dry the skin) but if you do, use any mild hypoallergenic conditioning dog shampoo. WHERE TO BUY GROOMING PRODUCTS: Show Dog Store carries all the coat conditioning products I recommend.

LEARN HOW TO GROOM A BELGIAN FOR THE SHOW RING! While our breed is a "natural" one not needing extensive grooming for the show ring, there are still many things you can do to enhance your dog's best features and disguise faults. Learn from master groomer & artiste extraordinaire Russ Beach with his new DVD called Grooming From Nose To Tail & Handling. Order from the ABTC Store.