The Wash Table
All lessons
-
Teeth and Mouth · Lesson 9
How do you handle a dog that will not accept mouth handling?
Handle refusal of mouth handling with gradual steps, rewards and hands on professional help, never force, restraint or punishment.
-
Teeth and Mouth · Lesson 10
What do bad breath, bleeding gums and loose teeth signal?
Bad breath, bleeding gums and loose teeth signal mouth disease that needs vet assessment, not stronger brushing or home treatment.
-
Teeth and Mouth · Lesson 11
How do you keep a mouth-care routine going?
Keep a mouth care routine going with a short daily slot, a ready kit, simple records and a forgiving restart after gaps.
-
Teeth and Mouth · Lesson 12
When is mouth care a vet job?
Mouth care is a vet job when tartar, gum disease, broken or loose teeth, pain or swelling are present, and home care must pause and refer.
-
Matting and Tangles · Lesson 1
What is a mat, and how does it form?
A mat is tangled hair that tightens into a dense clump, forming when loose hair, friction and moisture are not combed out regularly.
-
Matting and Tangles · Lesson 2
Where do mats form first, and why?
Mats form first where friction, moisture and fine hair meet, behind ears, armpits, groin, chest, collar areas and tail base.
-
Matting and Tangles · Lesson 3
How do you tell a tangle from a tight mat?
Tell a tangle from a tight mat by feel, movement and skin visibility, and use that judgement to decide whether home work is safe.
-
Matting and Tangles · Lesson 4
How do you work out a small tangle with fingers and a comb?
Work out a small tangle with fingers first, then a comb from the ends, holding the base so skin is never pulled.
-
Matting and Tangles · Lesson 5
How do you split a mat safely, and when should you not?
Split a mat only when skin is visible, the mat is loose enough to separate, and the dog is calm, using fingers and a comb, never force.
-
Matting and Tangles · Lesson 6
How do you decide: brush out, split, cut out, or refer?
Decide brush, split, cut or refer by mat density, skin visibility, location, dog tolerance and owner skill, choosing refer when unsure.
-
Matting and Tangles · Lesson 7
How do you cut out a mat without cutting skin?
Cut out a mat only with a comb protecting skin, blunt scissors, a helper and a clear view, cutting away from skin in tiny steps.
-
Matting and Tangles · Lesson 8
What is a mat splitter, and what are its limits?
A mat splitter is a tool with guarded blades that divides mats, useful only on loose mats with visible skin and clear limits.
-
Matting and Tangles · Lesson 9
How do you groom a matted dog in stages?
Groom a matted dog in stages with assessment, short sessions, skin checks and referral, never a single long dematting session.
-
Matting and Tangles · Lesson 10
Why should severely matted coats go to a groomer or vet?
Severely matted coats need a groomer or vet because skin underneath is hidden, tight and often sore, and safe removal needs trained hands.
-
Matting and Tangles · Lesson 11
How do you prevent mats from returning?
Prevent mats returning with regular combing to skin, drying, friction area checks and a routine matched to coat type and season.
-
Matting and Tangles · Lesson 12
What do you do after a mat is removed?
After a mat is removed, check skin, keep the area clean and dry, watch for soreness and adjust prevention for that spot.
-
Shedding and Undercoat · Lesson 1
What is shedding, and what is blowing coat?
Shedding is normal hair loss and renewal, while blowing coat is heavy seasonal undercoat release in double coated dogs.
-
Shedding and Undercoat · Lesson 2
How do you tell normal shedding from a coat problem?
Tell normal shedding from a coat problem by pattern, skin health, regrowth and behaviour, and refer sudden or patchy change to a vet.
-
Shedding and Undercoat · Lesson 3
Which tools remove loose undercoat, and which damage coat?
Remove loose undercoat with a comb, slicker used gently, undercoat rake and deshedding tool in moderation, avoiding blades that cut guard hair.
-
Shedding and Undercoat · Lesson 4
How do you deshed a double coat in sections?
Deshed a double coat in small sections, from ends to skin, with a comb and rake, checking skin and stopping for soreness.