It was only a matter of time....
Thankfully, it's only a few little mats but they're in the trickier grooming areas (armpits, tummy). He's also been getting those lovely wirey grey hairs down his back for about a month, so I guess that's coinciding with the mats. So my only problem is that, although Bally is fine (now  ) with being touched in any area, he just won't stay still long enough in any position which allows me to reach his tummy and de-mat it. He's really good at staying still now for most grooming, but I guess he just can't stay as comfortable when he's belly up.
Does anyone have any tips on either more efficient ways of getting his mats out (so there's no need to stay still as long) or positions in which he can be comfortable and accessible? Thanks! 
Edit: I only just realised my title pun |
|
|
| Owen goes up on the table for a couple of minutes every day whether he needs it or not, just to get him comfy with the idea. He gets treats while I groom, which sometimes s just a quick swipe with the brush or a longer session. It's all about making it a comfortable routine and once you have that down, it'll be easier to tackle the tougher stuff. |
| we do have a daily grooming session together, mostly because it's helped to relax him a lot and to stop the crazy nipping and biting, so Bally's fairly calm with being groomed. It's just staying still in such a way that I can reach his belly which is tricky, he always moves back onto his tummy... |
| I just make them lay on their side for grooming, every time. They get the idea pretty quickly and they learn to enjoy belly brushing time. That's the favorite part for all of mine. |
| If anyone has a technique for keeping an (I'm bored with my treats and I've finished chewing the handle off my brush, can I go now?) 9 month old sheepie still for grooming I will PAY you handsomely for it Tiggy gets bored real fast and I just have to finish grooming her over 2 or 3 sessions in a day or two depending on how much of a good job she's done in the matt department.
Its when I get the clippers out for a tidy up around the rear end that I really run into trouble she hates them. I think they tickle but I'm a bit too nervous to go with scissors on a wriggley bum  |
| If you have not got a grooming table, use a sturdy kitchen or outdoor table, throw n old blanket, sheet or towels over it and teach Bally to lay on his side while grooming. That way you can access all those tricky areas. Then when finished on one side just a matter of flipping him over to do the other.
Start with paws up, that is front paws up on the table, start by using the command word, then lift the paws onto the table, then it is just a matter of hoisting the butt up and presto we have a sheepie on the table. Put your arms around him and flip him onto his side. Practise this and never leave unattended for any reason, if you have to have a break with grooming him then place him on the ground till you can commence again. Easy on your back and better for them if you can do him on a table. Just start with trying once a day, treat him & praise him when he is on the table and on his side, a little try each day and eventually there way so keen to be up there and then only saying "Paws Up" there where you want them to be for the pampering session. Mine are way into that knotty coat change stage, Oh Joy, Oh Joy Wait till you get to the final transition, Junior coat to the fully mature coat I find that one the worse for minute matting. The matt fairies live in their coats then and breed like there is no tomorrow  |
| Thanks for all the advice Lisa... I may have to go buy a good table for the boy, none of ours would be sturdy enough. I think he'll probably enjoy learning your "Paws up" method, he already adores climbing onto any available surface Plus I have the side flip down pat already from the many times I've had to calm him down in the middle of one of his crazy episodes works like a treat |
| one thing to also consider is shaving his arm pits and ven parts of his belly. it isn't visible and makes the transitions of coat easier. |
| When Violet was going through the growing pains of hair matting as a puppy, I would have the groomer shave her underside. You could never tell by looking at her that her belly was shaved. Having the groomer do this saved a lot of pain for both Violet and myself. |
Mim wrote: If anyone has a technique for keeping an (I'm bored with my treats and I've finished chewing the handle off my brush, can I go now?) I have one of these and her name is Sophie. Her Uncle Beau was so much better at grooming at this age. He loves his belly brushed. I cant get her to lay still enough to untangle the belly either. 9 month old sheepie still for grooming I will PAY you handsomely for it Tiggy gets bored real fast and I just have to finish grooming her over 2 or 3 sessions in a day or two depending on how much of a good job she's done in the matt department.Its when I get the clippers out for a tidy up around the rear end that I really run into trouble she hates them. I think they tickle but I'm a bit too nervous to go with scissors on a wriggley bum |
| I agree (and so doe my groomer) with violet....
SHAVE THE BELLY!!! Our groomer also just shaved the more troubled spots...her armpits and in between her pads, along with cutting shorter her lower legs. I would anticipate that these shavings could pose a problem if you are trying to show Bally. |
wendycz23 wrote: I agree (and so doe my groomer) with violet....
SHAVE THE BELLY!!! Our groomer also just shaved the more troubled spots...her armpits and in between her pads, along with cutting shorter her lower legs. I would anticipate that these shavings could pose a problem if you are trying to show Bally. Hmmm... I might just do that  he'd enjoy having a nice cool belly in this weather anyway. |
| What helped me tremendously when I didn't have a grooming table (mine just came in...woohoo!) was laying them on their side and putting my legs over them. That way they were locked down and no amount of force was stronger than the weight of my legs on them. Her head couldn't reach back for the brush and once she got the idea that this was going to happen no matter what.... she eventually stopped fighting it. Combined with comforting her and keeping it short. After a week of doing this, I didn't have to put my legs around her. |
| great tip I'll try it ASAP, it's such a pain having to get him to relax again and again... especially when I've just managed to get my hands around a really 'good" mat |
Joahaeyo wrote: What helped me tremendously when I didn't have a grooming table (mine just came in...woohoo!) was laying them on their side and putting my legs over them. That way they were locked down and no amount of force was stronger than the weight of my legs on them. Her head couldn't reach back for the brush and once she got the idea that this was going to happen no matter what.... she eventually stopped fighting it. Combined with comforting her and keeping it short. After a week of doing this, I didn't have to put my legs around her.
thats what I did with Henry now he will lay down anywhere to have what he thinks is a belly scratching (shhhh don't tell him it's grooming!?!) |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|