Canine Capers

13/01/2022

04/04/2021

Canine Capers approaches its training from a positive reinforcement framework. Training takes place in Hermanus during the week and in Kleinmond on a Sunday. We also incorporate some agility in the class. Please contact Louise on 0832642912.

13/03/2018

Ragamuffin: A Full Service Grooming Salon

An Open Letter to Doodle Owners

There’s a conversation going on in the grooming world, and it’s one that I think our clients should be privy to. The topic? Doodles. And I’m talking labradoodles, goldendoodles, sheepadoodles, bernedoodles – anything that has been mixed with a standard (sometimes mini) poodle or already existing doodle. The truth is, the popularity of these dogs is on the rise but the education that potential owners are getting regarding them is dropping. This can be attributed to a few factors, ranging from a breeder spreading lies to sell a puppy, to a family so entranced by the cuteness of a fluffy puppy that they overlook the potential high maintenance of what they’re getting into.

So what I want to do is address these issues, include these owners in the conversation that’s happening in grooming salons all over the globe because as groomers we are frustrated! We are frustrated because so often we have to shave doodles due to matting, and those owners are frustrated because they don’t know what they’re doing wrong and like their dogs fluffy, and in turn get upset with the groomers, who are upset with the breeders for not giving out proper information to the owners when they take home a puppy! This can really hurt the rapport between a groomer and their clients, something we’d all like to avoid.

The BIG untruth I’d like to address about these dogs is that they are low maintenance. This could not be further from the truth. If you are getting a doodle, you need to expect and prepare for daily home maintenance. This includes brushing AND combing, everyday. (With a slicker brush and metal greyhound comb). The end result should be the ability to get the comb from the root to tip of the hair. You always want to start with the slicker brush, as this will help break up any knots, and finish with the comb. Now, because doodles are not purebred (meaning they do not breed true, which is the characteristic of being able to predict and expect how the puppies will turn out) you may end up with a doodle that has a very thin and easily manageable coat, but you should always go in expecting the alternative. With all that being said, and this may seem counterintuitive, but what this routine should NOT include is baths at home. Without the proper tools, baths at home will only cause and expedite matting. Long coats need to be blow dried completely, and if they are towel dried and left to air dry and not brushed out, they will mat up. I will attach some pictures to show some examples of matting, because when you don’t use a comb and go all the way from the root to the tip, the top coat may seem mat-free while the root of the coat is completely matted.

In addition to this point, if you want your doodle to have that well-known long and fluffy coat, they should be at the groomer every 4-6 weeks. This is in addition to the daily home maintenance. Bringing them to the groomer will ensure that they are clean and thoroughly brushed/combed. You can get them full haircuts or just trim ups – the possibilities are many if the coat is well-maintained. The cost of grooming a doodle is not small. That’s the plain and simple truth of it. Doodle baths/grooms can range anywhere from $50 to upwards of $200. There are many things that are factored into this price. The type of coat the dog has, the condition of the coat, his/her behavior during grooming, and the time spent on the service. Many groomers have a base price for the breed, but this price will increase based on all of these factors.

The last thing I want to address is when breeders say that doodles should not/do not need to be groomed before they are a year old. When this happens, their first groom is almost always a shavedown, right to the skin. Introducing grooming at an early age is imperative! Most groomers will have a puppy special of some sort, which is offered as early as 8 weeks. This will typically include nail clipping, ear cleaning, a bath, and a trim around their face, paws, and potty areas. If you don’t want your puppy to have a full haircut, you don’t have to! But you will still need to bring them in every 4-6 weeks both to get them acclimated to the grooming process and to keep them in the best shape possible. Their coat changes around six months of age and transitions from light, fluffy puppy hair to their adult coats. Their adult coats can have a variety of thicknesses and textures, but this transition can often lead to matting which is another reason to establish a regular home grooming routine and to be in to see your groomer every 4-6 weeks.

The last thing a groomer wants to do is disappoint their client, we want you to love the work we do as much as we love it! That is why it is crucial to be fully educated about the maintenance of the puppy you are getting, to find a groomer with great reviews and have a conversation with them, learn from them, and take your pooch to see them often!

Attached you will see a variety of pictures, volunteered from my peers around the country, demonstrating different types of matting. Many of them don’t look matted in the before pictures, but as you can see, their coats come off in complete sheets. It is DIRE to add that when dogs are in this shape it is EXTREMELY painful for them. Quite often underneath the matting we find bruising, hematomas, skin infections, etc. There is no option other than shaving to the skin in those cases. Please note that this is fully avoidable with proper and regular maintenance!

I have also added pictures of a few of my doodles clients in longer coats, so you can see the other side of things.

*****Please note! I am in no way saying that you must or should keep your dogs in longer lengths. If your dog is active or you prefer them short for easy maintenance, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that! I am just trying to avoid any animal from becoming so matted that they face severe skin problems and injuries. And trying to prevent heartbroken or angry owners from vilifying their groomer for shaving what can only be shaved.

*** This information is not isolated to doodles! Any dog with a longer coat needs regular maintenance! Dogs with shorter coats that shed need maintenance! All dogs need their nails clipped/filed. Every breed and every dog has its own requirements, so please, do your research!***

❤️✂️🐶

05/03/2018

As of 8 March Louise is not going to be available for the remainder of the month. Kindly call Tertia on 0767563504 to make grooming/ daycare appointments at Canine Capers. Looking forward to hearing from you

23/08/2017

The KUSA Canine Good Citizen Test is a programme that is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community and it encourages and stresses the importance of responsible dog ownership by the owners. Any dog, pure bred, crossbred or of mixed breeding may take part provided it has had its required vaccinations.

The KUSA Canine Good Citizen Test is a three part programme comprising of a Bronze, Silver and Gold Level. These tests are not competitive and lay down the foundation for KUSA progression to disciplines such as Obedience, Agility, Dog Jumping etc. Successful participants will receive a KUSA Certificate and Rosette.

We urge owners to make the effort to train their dogs as they will experience the benefits of their dogs having good manners, responding well to household routines and they will be a joy to live with.

18/08/2017

Luna the Black Russian Terrier all the way from Greyton had a before and after photo taken at the grooming parlour on Thursday

12/08/2017

Our Students in the Advanced class in Hermanus :) What a lovely group of people and dogs

24/05/2017

Three of our pups strutting their stuff on the ramp! Nanuk the New Foundland with his mom Janine, Dalene with Rafiki the Schnauzer and Desiree with her Dachshund Chloe

06/05/2017

Canine Capers DogTraining School had a wonderful obedience display at the Pringle Bay Festival on 30 April. The crowd thoroughly enjoyed the antics of some of the participants like the Jack Russel Terrier Buks who was only interested in visiting the spectator dogs!!! Hope to get some photos to post.

15/01/2017

Looking for a small dog that lives it's life in a wheelchair...Dachshund would be the best!! Must like to chase balls and have fun!!! If you have a suitable dog and are available 6-10Feb please email me on [email protected]

14/06/2016

Hu-mom Madeleine with her stunning longhair Dachshund called Khaleesi graduated from our puppy class yesterday afternoon. Congrats ladies, well done with your progress and keep up the good work!!!

30/11/2015

Fynn with her owner Gabby graduated from Puppy School today. Very proud of them! Fynn is starting her teen training this week.

15/10/2015

Anna (Black Russian Terrier), Jezebel (Rottweiler) and Magnum (Staffordshire Terrier) strutting their stuff for their Silver CGC's earlier this month

15/10/2015

Rhona, owned by Joy R***r, boasting her Gold CGC rosette.

05/07/2015

Tiger House Official Trailer 1 (2015) - Kaya Scodelario, Ed Skrein Movie HD

Layla, another of our training dogs that has turned into a model/actor. This little lady makes a brief appearance in a movie that will be coming out soon. She comes from the same home as Nina that participated in the other two clips.

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01/07/2015

Merial FR - Frontline Combo - Spot Mars 2015

Same shoot as the other advert just different dogs and cats. Has my bf's little Yorkie X Tessa. Also has Nina in again with her kitty brother

01/07/2015

Pub TV FRONTLINE Tri-Act 2015

An advert that has some of our clients' dogs in. The Weimaraner is called Joe and his human dad is Chris . The beagle is Wally and his human mum is Jean-Louise. The yellow Labrador is Nina and she lives with her human parents Marquenette and Danie

Nouveau FRONTLINE Tri-Act, antiparasitaire trois-en-un, s’adresse aux propriétaires actifs et souvent à l’extérieur avec leur chien, à la recherche d’une sol...

28/02/2015

Fun with our dogs

31/01/2015

One of the most adorable Rottweilers that I've met successfully passed our Super-Pup socialisation course in Hermanus on 31 January. Here is Girl prouly posing with her competent handler, Quintin.

18/01/2015

Flower, a spunky little Yorkie graduated from our puppy socialisation class on 17th January in Hermanus. His handler on the right is Alby Sliep with her mother Yvonne.

25/12/2014

Rebel (Staffie) showing us how it's done!

25/12/2014

Our Kleinmond dogs strutting their stuff! from left to right: Lyla, Nina, Paljas, Hannah, Rebel, Tookwee and Rhona.

19/12/2014

We are very proud of the last group of puppies who graduated as the year draws to a close. The individual photos are from left to right: Molly (Miniature Long Haired Dachshund) handled by Alna, Buddy (German Shepherd Dog) handled by Debbie and Roxy (Belgian Shepherd) handled by Limay. Obedience wise these three pups were amazing for their age! Next year they will be joining the Teen Class.

08/12/2014

Another one of our pups, Roxy (German Shepherd Dog) handled by Kathleen also succesfully graduated from our Super Pup Socialisation course on Saturday 6 Dec

08/12/2014

Ella (Rhodesian Ridgeback ) handled by Robin graduated from our Super Pup Socialisation course with flying colours on Saturday 6 Dec.

12/11/2014

Sweet little Bobby, Airdale Terrier puppy, graduated on Friday 7 November. He is now a certified Super Pup (Royal Canine Accredited) and we are very impressed with what he had managed to learn in such a short time. We can't wait to see what a beatiful boy he is going to grow up to be. Thank you very much Andre and Belia for taking the time to bring him to puppy socialising classes and giving him this great behavioural foundation

27/10/2014

A better view of Hannah's 'wings'
(We all know she has little angel wings hidden under her fur but we wont tell her we know her secret)

21/10/2014

Some pictures that we took at our latest outing of the Canine Capers Dog Training School. We accompanied 9 of our students from the greater Hermanus area to their KUSA CGC Assesments. The event was organised by the Western Cape Boxer Club.

12/09/2012

The first pupils to achieve bronze CGC Bronze