Dogs of all breeds require regular grooming. It is important not only to monitor your pet’s nutrition and health, but also to trim it. This is especially true when it comes to preparing for exhibition events. A professional haircut requires the necessary tools and equipment. The grooming table is an integral part of the quality process, after which the pet will become beautiful and attractive.
An ordinary table or bedside table is not entirely suitable for cosmetic procedures, because a cheerful dog will squirm around and get in the way. There is also a high probability that the animal will be injured if it falls. The dog must be secured using a collar, which is attached to a special holder. This will help give the animal stability and calm it down during the grooming procedure.
Recommendations for making a bed
Making a bed is not as simple as it seems, and in order for the product to please your pet, it is necessary to take into account a number of nuances, which we will consider in more detail.
- The choice of fabric must be taken with special responsibility, since it is this element of the bed that plays a decisive role for the animal. So, if the bed is intended for a smooth-haired dog, then you can choose a fleecy fabric. If your dog is fluffy, he will prefer cotton, linen or denim upholstery.
- The material must be durable, since the dog’s claws can tear it and render it unusable very quickly.
- It is advisable that the material washes well and dries quickly, since with furry pets you will have to clean their bed quite often.
- If the animal is large, then finishing the rookery with carpet will suit it. And the claws won't hurt a fairly soft base.
- Let's not forget about the overall design of the house. The fabric should fit harmoniously into the set of upholstered furniture. It’s good if it was made with your own hands and a couch was sewn from leftover fabric.
- It is not recommended to use synthetic fabrics, firstly, they create static electricity, and secondly, they may develop an allergic reaction in dogs.
- Before making a rookery, observe your pet, how it sleeps, and in what position. And based on this, choose the shape of the bed. Since large breeds like to sleep with their hind legs extended, it will be more comfortable for them to have a rectangular or round bed, but so that the diameter of the circle matches the length of the dog. And small dogs sleep curled up in a ball; you can build a place for them in a round place or even in the shape of a house.
- It is recommended to use synthetic padding polyester, cotton wool or foam rubber as filler. It is better not to use down or feathers. Since microbes and various pests can develop in them. Plus, if a dog suddenly breaks the body, there will be a lot of debris.
- The bed must be periodically treated with flea repellents.
- There is no need to decorate the house with all sorts of hanging elements, since this is not a cat, he will not leave them in place and will not calm down until he tears them off. And during the game, the dog will damage the product itself.
- The choice of location should also be taken with special care. First, take a closer look at the pet itself, where it most likes to rest, and that the place is secluded and without drafts. Since it is not recommended to move the bedding, the dog must know the place and retraining it afterwards will be very difficult. And one more important nuance: during rest you should be in the pet’s field of view, this is important for her.
- It’s good if the bed consists of pillows that can be removed and washed periodically. It's much easier than washing the entire bed.
Cutting and grooming tables
You should not use coffee tables or homemade tables for grooming, as you will have to face a number of inconveniences for both the groomer and the pet. Taking care of your pet's appearance is a painstaking task, and your back will certainly criticize your inability to adjust the desired height of your homemade table. A slippery surface, in turn, will not provide the animal with proper stability and can lead to injury.
Professional dog grooming tables are produced with different characteristics and can be stationary, portable or round. They have a special removable bracket for fixing the pet and a non-slip surface, which will help avoid unexpected falls. Grooming tables are also differentiated by the method of height adjustment. The tabletop can be raised or lowered using an electric lift or hydraulically by pressing a pedal or button. Typically, hydraulic grooming tables can be purchased cheaper than electric ones. Either way, the groomer will be comfortable working with dogs and cats of different sizes on both types of tables.
Folding grooming table
It is made of lightweight materials and has a compact folding design. These tables are convenient to store at home or take with you when you go to a client or a dog or cat show. The folding grooming table can be equipped with wheels and a telescopic handle, making it easy to move without any extra effort.
Stationary table for grooming
These are larger models than folding ones and are great for pet salons. They have a wide tabletop, on which there is enough space to conveniently lay out the necessary tools. Also, a stationary table can be equipped with additional shelves and cabinets.
Round table for cutting and grooming
Tables without corners will allow the dog or cat to move freely around them and eliminate the possibility of getting caught in a corner, which could lead to unpleasant consequences. Some models of round tables for grooming are even equipped with a large bearing, which allows you to simply rotate the tabletop while remaining in place. Another advantage of round tables is that they are compact and easy to store at home.
Stages of making a square bed
One way to create a place for your dog is a square soft bed with sides. The advantage of hand-sewn beds is that you can choose any fabric that not only your pet will like, but will also harmoniously fit into the design of the upholstered furniture.
What is required for production
- Thick fabric (quality at your discretion).
- Pencil, bar of soap or chalk ruler.
- Filler.
- Pattern paper.
- Sewing machine or needle.
- Scissors and thick thread.
Important! Since many types of fabric shrink after washing, it is recommended to soak the fabric in hot water before sewing. And start making patterns only after complete drying.
Pattern
The most crucial moment is making the pattern. The quality of the final result depends on the correctness of all calculations.
- Don't forget the seam allowances.
- If you plan to insert an elastic band along the edges of the structure, then it is still worth adding 4-5 cm to the allowance.
- After making sure that everything is drawn correctly, to be on the safe side, you can try to place the dog on the prepared drawing to once again check whether the size of the bed is suitable for your pet.
- If everything is fine, you can transfer the drawing onto the fabric and cut it out using a chalk or a piece of soap.
- Before cutting, you should double-check that the pattern is correct.
Sewing the product
- To ensure that the product turns out neat and the edges of the pattern do not move, it is recommended to fasten the parts with small needles or baste them.
- When connecting parts, do not forget to leave a hole so that you can fill the product with filler.
- After the product is stuffed, the holes are closed with a secret stitch.
- If necessary, insert an elastic band along the edges of the sides or tie them using previously sewn ribbons. It all depends on which option is sewn.
Important! To ensure the strength of the resulting product, so that the sides do not wrinkle under the weight of the pet, it is recommended to sew them together from several parts. Due to the many seams, the sides become more durable.
Bed house
An original version of a place for a dog in the form of a soft house.
But when choosing such a model, you need to take into account some nuances:
- The length and width of the house should correspond to the size of the dog. This also applies to heights. The opening of the hole should be 5-6 cm wider than the pet’s chest.
- You can make a roof and walls from one piece of material, but for strength it’s worth adding a cardboard blank and foam filling.
- The back and front of the house are cut out from a separate piece of fabric.
- According to the prepared pattern, all parts are stitched and stuffed with filler, which can be foam rubber or batting.
- It is advisable to choose dense fabric for such a product, this will further strengthen the entire structure.
Basic functions of the table
Convenience and simplicity.
This attribute will relieve back pain during long hours of work. There will be no need to constantly try to fix the “client” in one position, because there is a bracket for this.
Safety.
Unlike a simple bedside table, or other homemade items, a dedicated dog and cat grooming table will serve you well.
It will protect your “client” from unplanned falls or injuries.
Due to what? A fixing device, as well as an anti-slip surface that allows the animal's paws to maintain balance.
Height adjustment.
The ability to adjust to the size of your pet allows the groomer to work with comfort.
Bed made from old clothes
An interesting option for making a house bed from old clothes. The advantage of such beds is that even after numerous washes, the smell of a person remains on the clothes, and animals love it very much.
Let's look at some options:
Bed with sides made from an old sweater
Any old sweater or sweatshirt lying around in the closet will be suitable for this product.
We sew the sweatshirt in a straight line from one sleeve to the other, dividing it into two compartments. Most of it is sleeveless, this will be the bottom, and the top part of the sweater and sleeves will be the sides.
It is better to insert foam rubber into the main part, and for the sides you can use padding polyester, but in order for them to have good strength, they need to be stuffed as tightly as possible.
We connect the sleeves and the bottom of the bed. In order for the product to be conveniently washed, zippers can be sewn into the holes where the sweater was stuffed with filling so that it can be removed if necessary. But as practice shows, it is better to wash everything together.
For these types of beds, you can also make a separate removable cover, since the sweater is already old and will not withstand numerous washes and can tear very quickly.
If the sweater has a loose knit, you will definitely need a cover, since the dog will tear the loops with its claws and the product will have to be repaired or a new one sewed.
Bed made from old jeans
Let's start with the fact that such a bed is only suitable for small breeds. To make this, you will need old jeans and decorative fabric to cover the hole.
The jeans are stuffed with padding polyester, and then the legs are crossed and sewn together, as if a person is sitting in the lotus position.
After the trouser legs are stuffed, decorative fabric is sewn on top.
House made from a sweater or T-shirt
If you want to build not just a bed for your pet, but also a shelter in the form of a house, but there is no material for such a product, you can use a T-shirt or sweater and a cardboard box.
The box must match the size of the dog. A hole is cut out in one of the sides of the box, which should be the size of the dog’s head and body. Next, a T-shirt is put on the box so that the cutout for the head falls on the hole prepared in the box. All other parts of the T-shirt or sweater are carefully sewn up.
Characteristics of tables
Size. It is necessary to choose the correct height and dimensions.
There are small ones - 75/50/75 and larger ones - 110/60. Also consider the room where your workplace will be located. The wider it is, the larger the table you can buy. The presence of a bracket, that is, a special device that allows you to hold the dog.
Advice:
don't spare money! Because one dog behaves well, is already accustomed to constant haircuts and styling, and for the second, going to the groomer is stressful, and you will have to “fight” with it.
Height adjustment.
This is very helpful when a new client is brought to the dog groomer. And you need to choose the right table height. There are electrical or hydraulic adjustment mechanisms on the market today.
Stationary, mobile or folding table.
Each of these types has its own purpose. The stationary one is more bulky and is usually purchased for pet salons.
Mobile, as a rule, is beneficial for visiting your pet at home or at an exhibition; it is equipped with wheels. Folding tables for grooming (dog haircuts) are convenient because they are compact and can be packed into a case. They are lightweight and easy to take with you on trips.
Important!
It is necessary to pay special attention to the choice of material from which the table is made. Because some animals are prone to allergic reactions!
Wooden bed
One of my favorite places to relax is a wooden lounger. Since the dog has his own bed and does not have to lie on the floor. Plus she doesn’t feel cold air blowing across the floor at all.
So, to make such a bed for your dog, you can use separate boards and plywood, or you can use pallets. Nowadays it is very popular to make various crafts from pallets, and even furniture. A dog bed is no exception. Based on the photo examples, you can look for the most acceptable option for yourself and make a structure according to the specified example.
In order not to disturb the comfort, and the dog does not drive the thorn, the finished structure is thoroughly cleaned. And for softness, special pillows are placed or an old blanket is laid down.
Using nails or self-tapping screws for fastening, make sure that the heads are well buried so that the animal does not get caught on them and is not injured.
You can build an entire doghouse out of wood, especially if the pet lives on a private estate. Some models of booths are quite suitable for installing them at home.
Design options for a dog bed
In fact, there are a lot of options for decorating a place for your pet to rest, and you should choose based on the preferences of the animal itself. Let's look at some of them:
Booth from a nightstand
Often a dog tries to find a place next to its owner. And she might like the bedside table. To do this, just remove or simply open the door from the bedside table and lay a mattress there.
Ottoman
The soft ottoman is ideal for creating a place for dogs, as due to the large range, you can choose one for any breed of dog. To do this, you need to make holes in one of the sides for entry.
Old suitcase.
Many people have an old suitcase in their closet; by opening it and laying it on a soft bedding, the bed will look like a decorative element of apartment design.
Double bed made of wood
Some owners who keep 2 dogs in their house make a two-story bed for them from wooden boards. This is practical because the bed takes up less space and dogs like it.
From an old table or chair
If there is an old table in the house, then it can also be equipped as a place for the dog. To do this, you need to turn it over onto the tabletop and shorten the legs a little. In order for the product to have a more beautiful appearance, you can wrap it in a beautiful fabric and place many small pillows. And also paint and decorate it to match the furniture in the house.
Old furniture
If you decide to replace old furniture, then you should not throw away the drawers from the chest of drawers or desk. They are ideal for decorating a pet bed. It is enough to place a soft bedding inside.
Knitted lounger
One of the manufacturing options is to weave a bed with crochet or using the macrame technique.
Dresser
You can organize a bed for your pets and just remove a few drawers from the chest of drawers and cover it with a small mattress.
Wooden box
You can also use a wooden box as a lounger. You just need to decorate it beautifully. Sand the edges, paint or varnish. Or just cover it with fabric.
Hammock bed
All pets really like the hammock bed. To do this, you need to make a cross-shaped frame and stretch dense fabric, securing it with special hooks.
To summarize, I would like to say that a do-it-yourself dog bed, step-by-step instructions for which were given in this article, will bring great joy and comfort to your pet. Since dogs are very smart animals, they understand that you tried hard for them and the return will not be long in coming. They will give you their affection, love and devotion. As you can see, a bed can be made from different materials, even from those that, it would seem, will never be useful again. The main thing is to do everything with love and imagination.
Table for grooming dogs yourself: step by step
To make a grooming table with your own hands for small breeds of dogs, you need to follow certain step-by-step steps:
In order for your beloved pet to always look joyful and beautiful, it is necessary to always take care of it. A cutting table is needed in order to facilitate the work of the master and carry out the process efficiently. After all, active animals do not always want to sit still. If this is not the first time the dog has been groomed and this is a common thing, then you can do just fine without a tripod. A beautifully groomed dog will be a real decoration for any exhibition and will bring a lot of positive emotions to its owners.
If you are engaged in grooming, then you simply need a good dog grooming table! The table will provide an easy and safe platform on which you can place your dog while you groom him or perform other procedures. While tables are not absolutely necessary, they certainly make the process faster, easier and safer for you and your dog.
Which tables are better?
Before you decide which grooming table is right for you, you need to understand the differences between tables and choose yours.
- The best grooming tables allow you to customize the height of the platform
. This is not only convenient, but also makes caring for your dog easier.
- It is good if the table is equipped with loops to hold the dog.
Not all dogs are obedient and can sit still, especially when being groomed, so restraint loops are a must.
- Safety grooming tables have a non-slip surface for dogs to stand on
. Most quality tables have a soft rubber mat to prevent your paws from slipping.
- The best desks are durable but light enough to allow for easy movement.
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- Good tables have a shelf or basket under the table
. This gives you a number of advantages; you can store towels, combs, hair dryers for dogs and other necessary grooming tools.
- It's good if the grooming table has rubber legs
. Rubber coated feet will not only provide greater stability, they will help protect the floor from damage.
On our website you will find a grooming table that is suitable exactly for your needs!
Round grooming table with 2 drawers and a cabinet for storing tools. Includes: L-shaped bracket and loop for holding the dog. Assorted colors of boxes: blue, green. Size: 70xH78.5-93 cm Weight: 35 kg Weight with packaging: 38.5 kg Package size (2 pieces): 71x71x10 cm and 57x31x43 cm
Hydraulic round grooming table with L-shaped bracket Size: 70xH71.5-86 cm Weight: 22.5 kg Weight with packaging: 25 kg
Aluminum exhibition grooming table
Size: 90x60xH78 cm Weight: 6.0 kg Weight with packaging: 7.3 kg
Grooming table FT-818 with height adjustment Size: 90x60xH81-93 cm Includes L-shaped bracket Weight: 15.8 kg Weight with packaging: 17.9 kg
Electric grooming table TOEX measuring 90 x 60 cm, with adjustable height from 52 to 100 cm. Made in China. Equipment: table, L-shaped bracket for holding the dog. Weight: 29.5 kg Weight with packaging: 33.5 kg
Electric grooming table TOEX measures 125 x 65 cm, with adjustable height from 25 to 95 cm. The table is designed for a load of up to 150 kg. Equipment: table, U-shaped bracket for holding the dog, 2 fabric noose loops. Manufacture: China. Transport package size: 129x69x26 cm
To participate in exhibitions, you must constantly monitor your pet’s coat and maintain its attractive appearance. To do this, you will need to implement a whole range of care measures, in particular, haircuts are one of the requirements of exhibitions. However, in order to do everything at the proper level, you will need the right working tools and first of all you need to think about how to position your pet during this procedure. This is exactly why special grooming tables were invented.
