I need advice with the whole grooming process
Ok so after you all have read through my story here is what I want to do. I want to start to groom my kids myself. I have been reading a lot of posts regarding how to do it and I have a general idea but my question is, do I give them a bath first and then dry them and then groom or do I groom then, then bathe, dry and groom again?? I have never been able to figure out what is the best way to do it. At the moment they are in puppy cuts so I figure now is the time to really start keeping up on it since they are short and have no mats yet. Any and all suggestion are much appreciated. I do have all the tools I think except for a dryer so a recommendation for a brand would be great too. Thank you all for listening to me and I appreciate any suggestions you may have. |
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| If they are in puppy cuts, you can just wash and brush as you are drying them. You'll need a soft slicker or a short pinned brush. Even though the hair is short, keep up on it or it'll matt just like the long hair.
Once the hair gets longer, you will want to go through the coat (brush it) before you bathe. When you wash the dog, don't scrub or you'll cause matts and then you will definitely need to brush as you dry with long hair. The trick here is, you'll want to wait until most of the water is out of the coat before you start brushing. Either let them run like the wind inside for a while but you know that that usually ends up with them using your furniture or bed to dry out on! The other option is to put them in a crate with the big dryer on them; cool setting so they don't bake! Once they are mostly dry, you can brush with the dryer and make sure you get everything dry so that you don't have skin issues or even mildew happening! There are several posts for dryer reccommendations that are laying around here. Hope that info helped!! Keep your fingers crossed that we remember to tape stuff this weekend so we can post it! |
| thanks for the info, that helped me out a lot. hopefully the kids will be cooperative and we can both learn as we go. thanks again |
| Kids=Slave labor |
| I would definitely give a try to doing it yourself. I enjoy the time spent with mine in bathing and grooming.
Our routine goes like this - Thorough brush out 1st. Lots of times I even do it the day before the bath - now that he is not in his puppy coat. If you have puppy coat and go to bathe the next day, you probably will have mats formed already. Thank goodness that stage is past!! Into the tub. Minimize making tangles and snarls as you scrub. If you aren't showing, use a nice moisturizing conditioner too. I squeeze dry Chewie while in the tub. I use my hands like a squeegie (sp?). Start at the top, work your way down. Same with all 4 legs, squeezing the water out all the way to the paws. I also teach "shake" - I pull the curtain closed and have them shake off on command. Then they step/jump out on command to the mat and towel on the floor next to the tub. Repeat the squeeze drying with a towel or 2. We make it a game, so Chewie loves it - he can't wait until I get to his face! Then we walk to the grooming table - I just hold onto a few pieces of hair on his neck - no wild running! If I let 5 of them run, it would be a real mess. Chewie is a lazy butt - stands next to the table for me to lift him up.  Then we start the brushing and drying. A table and stand dryer are definitely worth their weight in gold!!
Dryer on his legs - 
Dry all the way. On nice summer breezy days, I also let him finish drying outside. Or start the drying process outside, then bring him in to brush and dry. Usually they find the one patch of dirt, or roll 1st, so I don't do that too aften unless I am there to watch! While brushing and drying, nails and ears get done as well.  |
| I was completely with you Dawn, until you said that you don't let them run like crazy! I just lock up the dry ones and let them wet one run inside. I think it's one of their great joys in life! There's no way I let them run outside. That one patch of dirt is like a magnet!!!
Oh and don't forget that while you are doing the squeegie thing they usually make little pig like grunting noises!!!  |
Maxmm wrote: I was completely with you Dawn, until you said that you don't let them run like crazy! I just lock up the dry ones and let them wet one run inside. I think it's one of their great joys in life! There's no way I let them run outside. That one patch of dirt is like a magnet!!!
Oh and don't forget that while you are doing the squeegie thing they usually make little pig like grunting noises!!! Pig grunting... - yes, Chew has just started doing it, must be a sign of maturity! Simon the basset really grunts and groans - he LOVES a bath!!! |
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