[kjc]

And an FYI for new puppy owners and all dog owners who may attempt home grooming:

1. Never, ever leave a pup on the table unattended. Do NOT walk away for 'just a second'. Always keep one hand on the pup.

I had my 3 YO on the ironing board, higher so I could stand comfortably to groom her, and left a comb 2 feet away on the counter top. I had my arm extended thinking to block her and the other arm reaching for the comb. Almost got it, then Tink did a tiny 'alert' bark, and with no hesitation whatsoever, Finny flew off the ironing board and was headed toward the floor like a pile of bricks. I managed to grab a handful of hair... she yipped and spun to bite me, but that handful of hair was just enough to slow her fall and guide her to a gentler landing on the floor. She was mad at me for a bit for pulling her hair, but TG she was uninjured in the mishap. I should have carried her with me to retrieve the comb... lesson learned.

2. When using a noose on a grooming table, never, ever leave the pup unattended. A safer way to use the noose is to also slip one leg through it, so it's around one side of the neck and behind one elbow, on a diagonal. Protect those tiny tracheas (windpipe).

3. To do feet, a dog can be put in a life vest, then suspended from the grooming table arm. Again, do not leave them unattended.

4. To use two hands for grooming, use your body to block them and to keep them on the table.

5. Take the pup with you if you need to get something even a tiny distance away.

6. Health and Safety is so much more important to safeguard... hair can wait.