Category: Essentials

Dogs of all breeds need regular grooming. It is important not only to monitor the nutrition and health of the animal, but also to have appropriate grooming. Here’s a DIY dog grooming table plan that will put money in your pocket.

Especially when it comes to preparing exhibitions, quality grooming is essential. A professional haircut involves the availability of the necessary tools and equipment. A good grooming table is an integral part of the tools required to keep your dog beautiful and attractive.

An ordinary table or a bedside table is not quite suitable for cosmetic procedures, as a cheerful dog will turn and interfere. It is also very likely that the animal will be injured in the fall. The dog should be secured with a collar that is attached to a special holder. This will help give the animal stability and calm him down during the haircut procedure.

Best DIY Dog Grooming Table Plan

In order for the dog to be trimmed evenly and efficiently, you need to make sure that it is firmly secured during the grooming process. Holder for grooming will ensure the animal’s immobility. You can buy a ready-made table from the pet store, or you can make it yourself and save tons of money. The size of the table and the height of the stand should be tailored to the dog’s body.

To make a grooming table, you can take a regular table of the right size. Attach an L-shaped tripod from one top edge and attach the collar. The fixtures are made in different ways. You can also create a support in the form of an arc that will be fixed from one edge to the other of the table. Warning! If the table is large, it can be used to cut two animals, respectively, and two collars are needed. This option is suitable for small pets.

Materials and tools

When choosing tools for your DIY dog grooming table, you need to understand the model you need. If you are building the table itself yourself, rather than buying an off-the-shelf model, then you need to choose the right material. For the manufacture of the table, a durable material is needed, such as wood or metal or a combination of different types. Some types of material can cause an allergic reaction in animals, so it is important to make the right choice.

Making a tripod is not difficult. You can use two metal tubes which will be inserted into each other. You also need tools and equipment such as a metalworking machine, hacksaw, drill, ruler, pencil or marker for marking, fasteners.

Drawings and measurements

When creating a table, you should prepare a drawing of the layout of the chosen model. On a sheet of paper you need to draw a table showing the height and width of each part. Drawings with measurements can be made on the Internet or purchased in a store. These days there are a wide variety of options suitable for a particular dog or breed. Warning! Plan appropriately and we will ensure your table is durable and high-quality.

Design and shapes

Today there is a huge selection of tables of different models. You should base your design on intended use. If a table needs to be moved or transported to the exhibit, you should set it up with wheels. It will be convenient to use.

It should be borne in mind that dogs of large breeds are quite difficult to groom at home. To do this, it is better to contact specialists. In the salons you will find ideas of professional equipment that will allow you to perform the procedure more efficiently.

Larger tables are used for working in trade shows. When cutting, convenience is important and therefore it is necessary to be able to fix the animal at different angles. The tripod must therefore be mounted at different heights. A rotating model allows you not to be distracted from the process, and easily perform the procedure by simply rotating the base of the table around the axis. The bracket should be mounted at different heights. When choosing a round table shape, there will be no inconvenience when cutting, as square and rectangular product corners often interfere.

Important! A folding table is convenient because it does not take up much space when assembled. All parts are removable, and if you need to cut the dog on the fly, it can be easily assembled. The compact model is easy to pack in a crate and is suitable for use while travelling.

DIY Dog Grooming Table Instructions

First you need to build the base and shape it to your choice. To do this, use the drawing to trace the the shape and then cut off the excess. The legs should be fixed at the back. You can take metal blanks and secure them with clips, or you may prefer wooden pieces.
If you want to make a table with wheels, then they should be attached to the legs with a drill and fixing bolts.

An important part of making a grooming table is attaching a stand with a collar. It is made of two metal tubes, one of which has an angled end. A larger diameter part should be attached to the side of the table. This can be done without resorting to a hole. Just use fasteners for fixing. You can also drill a hole in the side and insert a tube, secure at the back with a screw.

A tube with a smaller diameter should be inserted into the first one and secured with a screw. When loosened, the bracket is fixed at the desired height, when twisted, it is fixed.

The end of the metal tube of a smaller diameter should be bent, a clamp should be attached to it. It is important to ensure a strong fixation so that the animal does not injure himself during the grooming process.

As a final note, if the dog is not being groomed for the first time, which is quite common, you may be able not need a tripod.

In order for your canine friend to look happy and beautiful, you should always use the appropriate equipment, including a quality grooming table. It will facilitate your work because, after all, active animals don’t always want to sit still! A well-trimmed dog will make an impact at any exhibition and will bring its owners a lot of pride and satisfaction!

You want to go on an adventure, alone or with friends, but one thing is certain, your dog will be there and you may want him to carry stuff! But the question is how much weight can a dog carry?

Naturally, when you go camping, the weight of the backpack gets heavier very quickly. Once the tent, the water and the food are put away there is not much more you can carry and you have to limit yourself as much as possible because you already feel the weight on your back! So it’s natural to think of your canine friend, what if we made him bear his part, at the least its food and toys?

Is it a good or bad idea? Let’s try to take stock together, between the precautions to be taken into account, and the big mistakes to be avoided.

Conditions for choosing a good backpack for a dog

the first thing to consider is the bag! One might be tempted to spend as little money as possible and hope the bag will do the job, but I think we’ve all, at least once, traveled or hiked with a heavy bag shearing our shoulders.

Now imagine if your dog is not able to correct its position if the bag is leaning too far off on one side. This may put undue stress on its back and cause pain and discomfort. For the health of our dogs, we must be conscientious in choosing equipment that could have serious consequences.

How much weight can a dog carry? Important backpack features to look for

According to experts, the backpack must be adjusted to the dog’s body shape, so that it does not swing when walking or worse, does not turn on one side. Most of the weight should be distributed over the forearm, shoulders and rib cage, not the spine.

It is essential that the contents of the two bags have an equivalent weight so as not to create muscular imbalance (one shoulder more stressed than the other). Ideally, heavy objects should not be all the way down, at the bottom, which could create a swaying effect, but rather as high as possible against the zipper and held securely in place.

Not all dogs are created equal when it comes to carrying a weighted backpack! To say that only properly muscled and generally “fit” dogs can wear a weighted backpack is to open the door to all abuses. After all, our dog is bound to be an athlete, whether he is a Great Dane or a Chihuahua, right?

Several criteria should be taken into account. Dogs that are too young (under two years old) or too old (over eight years old) should not carry a bag. The dog’s morphology is so important and the use of the backpack on thinner and leggy dogs should be carefully considered.

Dogs that are overweight should not carry weight and dogs that are too thin, are arthritic or have health problems should never carry a pack of any type whatsoever. We stand the risk to damage the paraspinal muscles, abdominal muscles, and those surrounding the thoracic limbs of the dogs if we are not careful.

Before assessing how much weight can a dog carry, a bone health check-up is recommended, and if you’re afraid of making the wrong decision, and need an objective opinion on your dog’s physical condition, you can always take your dog to the vet for a physical examination. A veterinarian can tell you precisely the weak points of your dog and recommend strength training exercises to improve on them.

Hiking precautions (long duration)

It’s one thing to have a fit dog and an ideal backpack, it’s another evaluate dog fatigue and harness irritation. For short walks, there is no need to worry but for hikes of several hours, or even several days, it is essential that the dog can take a break every hour without equipment on his back. The break can be a quiet time, or a game, each dog will have their preferences. Many bags allow you to detach the saddlebags and leave a harness, but it is also possible to remove the harness to give your brave canine companion complete freedom of movement and full relaxation.

Do not make the mistake of evaluating the fatigue of your dog according to your own energy level. It is quite very easy to stretch your walking time more and more with weighted saddlebags, but the following days are often very painful. Between aches and pains, blisters and stiffness, the resistance of your dog will be damn low and the rest of the day may be less pleasant.

In order to prevent irritation and blisters as much as possible, some experienced hikers put a T-shirt under the harness – everyone should experiment to see what will work best for your dog.

How much weight can a dog carry with its backpack?

Let’s tackle together the most important point of this article, the recommended ballast in the bag! It is difficult to find concrete information because no study has been conducted on the subject. These are therefore recommendations from professionals in the field (veterinarians, physiotherapist, osteopaths, etc.).

The maximum recommended weight in the saddlebags is calculated based on the dog’s weight. Usually, estimates are roughly 10% to 30% (including backpack weight). For a 20kg dog, this would equate to a weight range of 2 to 6kg. One might be tempted to go for the high range of the estimate, because “my dog is muscular”. After all, wouldn’t it be great to give him 5-6 kg and have that less in your own bag?

The best criteria to follow is the way your dog is behaving when carrying a certain weight. Of course, don’t go to the point where you are asking yourself “Why is my dog panting and restless?”. Obviously, in that case, you have asked too much of your dog.

What can we conclude on the weighted backpack?

With field evidence we understand how much aiming at a 30% load, even for a very large dog, seems disproportionate. Most animals, such as horses, are much better equipped to pull loads than to carry them, it is therefore necessary to use moderation so as not to ruin the backs of our dear companions. 10% load seems ideal to maintain, and if your dog is really rather massive and athletic (Rottweiler, Malinois …) you can possibly increase to 15-20% load over short distances.

How to get the dog used to the backpack?

The advantage of well-thought-out backpacks is that they are divided into two parts: an independent harness, and saddlebags that can be hung using clips and straps. The ideal way to get your dog accustomed is therefore to start with the harness alone, which often differs from the “Y” harnesses that your dog may wear on a daily basis. Let him get used to the equipment for a few walks. After a week or two, you can add the empty saddlebag and keep “practising”.

Gradually, we will add weight in the bags, making sure it si appropriately balanced. The most practical approach is to use croquettes or rice, which you can weigh and then divide into small bags that you will fill as you go. Don’t be impatient to add more weight, it should be done over a month or two to allow the shoulders and back of your dog to build up properly.

If you thought that choosing dog food trays and bowls was easy, you were wrong! Ceramic, stainless steel, plastic, wood, flat or with edges, you have access to a wide choice of options.

The number of different models of trays and bowls for dogs is so large that the choice can be very complicated. The material, size, shape are all criteria to take into consideration.

Stainless steel or stainless steel bowls

The stainless steel bowls are light and do not affect the taste of food or water. They are easy to clean on a daily basis. The underside can be fitted with a non-slip coating to prevent the dog from moving its bowl while eating. Stainless steel bowls or trays are not offered in a large variety of colors but has good resistance over time. It also has the advantage of being hypoallergenic.

Plastic bowls and trays

The plastic bowls and trays are more eye-catching for the owner, as they are often very colorful or decorated with fanciful patterns. Beware of this material, as many dogs can develop an allergy with repeated contact with plastic. Plastic bowls do not age very well, as they end up scratching and becoming more difficult to clean. Over time, plastic material can impart an unpleasant odor to dog food or even water.

What about ceramic dog food bowls?

A ceramic bowl is usually heavy enough to be stable and not easlily tossed by your dog. It can be colored or decorated with patterns and is very easy to clean up. Ceramics do not alter the taste of food or water. The main drawback of this material remains its risk of breakage.

The right bowl size

The size of the bowl should be adapted to the size of your dog. Do not take a very small bowl if your dog is weighing more than 60 -70 lbs. Use a smaller bowl and adapt the size as the grows bigger. If you have a medium-sized dog, his puppy bowl can be kept for his entire life. Some bowls can be adapted on a tripod or an adjustable support to allow your dog to eat in a comfortable position, otherwise the use of dog food trays is a sensible and simple solution.

Choose the right shape

The good bowl shape has low edges. For dogs with long, hanging ears, a tall, pyramid-shaped bowl is very practical. Some dogs devour their food more than they eat. For them, there are special bowls, so-called anti-gluttonous bowls, to calm their voracity. A central island forces the dog to take only small bites and therefore forced to eat more slowly. The bottom of the bowl may have reliefs having the same effect. Dogs with short noses like bulldogs or boxers have specially designed bowls, both curved and striated.

What if I go on a trip?

Choose a foldable bowl for long trips. It stores easily in a bag. Also think about it for your hikes: essential for your dog to drink if you don’t come across a water point!

Want to build your own wooden dog food trays?

Like any good dog owner, you may want to offer your canine friend a practical way to appropriately feed himself. This DIY idea should please those of you who that are looking for an easy and simple way to make a nice looking tray for dog bowls.

Gone are the bowls that are tossed around at meal time, now they will remain in place and the surroundings will stay dry and clean. Also, if your dog finds it difficult to restrain himself from rushing into the bowl before you have put it on the ground, this support will seem very practical to you. Lift it up, fill the bowls and you’ll find it easier to set them up on the floor without worrying about spilling its content all over. You will also appreciate its sleek look that will turn the tray into a nicely designed storage unit.

Here is the step-by-step process:

Step 1 : Start by making marks on your wooden cleats, at 5.5 inches then at 11 inches and finally at 14.5 inches and saw the pieces.

Step 2 : You will get 4 pieces of 3.5 inches, 4 pieces of 14.5 inches cm and 5 pieces of 5.5 inches. Sand them to avoid splinters.

Step 3 :  Begin the assembly by screwing them.Reproduce a rectangle of the same size, without the central cleat.

Step 4 : Drill and screw a 5.5 inch strip in the center.

Step 5 : Finish the top part.

Step 6 : Reproduce a rectangle of the same size, without the central cleat.

Step 7 :  Glue the 3.5 inch battens in each corner, vertically.  

Step 8 : Glue the top part on the 4 pillars you just installed.

Final step : You will only have to add the bowls and you will have completed the making of your tray.

If you prefer, you can check out the video on how to make the tray.

Your dog will enjoy even more his food!