Trip to the groomer
Thanks Savannah, Jack, Bailey and Guinness's mom Oh yeah we are having a wonderful time with our new addition I forgot how much fun an OESD puppy is!!! |
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| You may want to request a puppy cut. Reinforce that you don't want the dog shaved otherwise that's what they'll do. I would't suggest thinning the hair as OES are known for their beautiful coarse hair. If kept in a puppy cut, you'll notice the fur is softer since you have the newer hair growing in. Check out Annie's pics. She is in a puppy cut |
| Stacy,
Thank you for this info. Annie is cute. I will ask for a puppy clip. Do they do their toenails and ears when the groomer does this?? (by ears I mean pull the hair out) I used to use kelly clamps (I am a nurse) to gently pull the hair from my other sheepdogs ears. Since I don't use a groomer I want to make sure every thing is done, that will keep Guinness looking good. I heard if the hair inside the ears is removed it helps prevent ear infections, but my lab does not have hair in the inside of her ears and she gets infections due to allergies, again any help is greatly appreciated!! Cindy |
Most groomers include ears and nails, to be sure just request it. If you're unsure about trimming the nails yourself you can go to any Petsmart and they will do it without an appointment for about $5.00. Have fun with your puppy  |
| A puppy cut should get you the look you want. Annie's Mom is right though, always stress that you don't want the dog shaved. Even though my groomers have always been great, I still say it everytime since I worry that they'll get fed up with the mats halfway through!
If you do want to leave the coat longer, you can always remove the undercoat and that makes maintaining the longer hair on top a lot easier too. |
| Thank you all for the advice. I can clip tonails I do my other dogs, but wondered if this was included in a visit to the groomer. I will make sure the groomer knows not to shave my guy. Winter is comming and I think it will be too cold. I have been brusing him and he dosen't seem to have any mats. Just one more question . How do I get his undercoat out?? I have been usung a rake style brush and not much is comming out? He has had two baths since I got him. It rained here so much and my other dogs felt the need to roll him around in any muddy spots, which by the way are from him. Why do Sheepdogs like to eat dirt???? My dogs are on a good quality dog food, he is on a large breed puppy chow and is growing . At 4 mos he was 41 lbs he is almost 5 now and is growing so I don't he is hungary I am having a time keeping his beard clean!! |
He shouldn't have too much undercoat at that age. You know, I always suggest that to people but, to be honest, I have no idea how they strip it out!  The groomer does it and Clyde comes back looking great so I never question it! I'm sure someone else can chime in but I'll ask the groomer next time in case no one else answers. Sorry to suggest something that I can't explain! |
Eating dirt seems to be an adolescent sheepie thing. Many of our members have reported this behavior. As long as it's just dirt, and not rocks or larger items that could cause bowel obstructions, you're fine, he'll outgrow it 
As for stripping out undercoat, I'm not sure that is a great idea. An OES's undercoat help keeps them warm and dry in adverse weather (they needed that when they were out with the herds to keep from getting hypothermia). With winter coming on, it's usually better to keep that undercoat intact, your help keep your sheepie warm in the rain and snow. If you really want to strip out the undercoat, many electric brushes will do this, a standard wire slicker usually works pretty well. Keep in mind that OES do not have a bi-annual coat shedding like most herding dogs do, so don't expect to have heaps of fur around after spring and autumn grooming sessions. Anyhow- good luck with your grooming adventure, and please post pics, I'd love to see your guy! Karen  |
| Bruises? I think the rake brush pulls their hair too much and doesn't get mats out very well. The pulling may cause bruises? When I comb Annie at home, I use a silver grooming comb. I comb the hair in two layers as it's really thick. First the bottom layer first and then the top. If I don't wait too long between brushings, I usually don't pull much hair out of her. The groomer has never said anything about thinning her hair. I wouldn't think that's good for their coat.
If you find a good groomer, they should know what to do. Call around and ask if anyone at the place has groomed sheepies before. It took us a few different groomers before we got it right. A good reputable groomer, like a people hairdresser, will do what it takes to make you and your doggie happy! |
| Oh! You've got a herd too! I think the beard thing can be a losing battle sometimes. The only thing to do with a dirty beard is to wash it or let it dry and brush it out. We have a rescue-sheepie that arrived with an atrocious brown stained beard and it's starting to grow out. She slobbered so much at first from stress. 3 of our sheepies are good about getting the front half of them put in the tub for a face or fanny and foot wash... not sure how Panda is because she doesn't get very dirty.
I strip the undercoat on my Border Collie... she looks so sleek when I'm finished. But I found the tool didn't work well for me on my sheepies' fur so I don't use it. It seemed to pull too much so I just stopped. I clip my sheepies down to about a 3/4" to 1" puppy cut. If you visit this address you can see what a 1" length looks like... I clipped her last week- http://www.pomeroys.com/EmmaDarby/AboutU243.jpg . Not professional but it works for us. They are much easier to maintain at a shorter length and can go for a while with brushing only about once a week (I've really got other things to do than brush 4 sheepies in full coat!). As it grows out we need to brush more often to keep the mats away. I clip them probably 3 times a year. As for the dirt? Well, could he just be exploring his surroundings? It's not earth worms is it? Yeah... we've got one sheepie that actually finds them in the yard and eats them. eeewwwww Dogs can be so gross. One positive is we don't use any chemicals in the backyard so it's additional protein 
Congrats on your new sheepie-boy. Hope you post pictures soon! |
| Geeze I am new to the forum and have told everyone I am bruising my dog!! I just cannot spell I meant to say brushing. I have been brushing my puppy (in my defense he was trying to chew the leg of my chair as I typed) and he dosen't seem to have any matts. We live pretty far out and this is a groomer about 15 min down the road. My rescue group did an event there ( there is a feed store, groomer,vet and boarding place) She seemed nice and had pics of the dogs she has done. I have had her clip my old gals nails when I have been there and she is very kind to the dogs. She said she has done sheepies before. We have a petsmart a little further down the road and I believe before I picked this little guy up he had a grooming at a petsmart, just not the one near me. The closest town to us is Bel Air Maryland I don't mind driving to a good groomer if any one knows of one in this area. I can't thank you enough for all the advice. Don't worry about the undercoat thing I was just curious. Hopefully before too long I can post some pics and do a before and after!!
Thanks again for all the info . and he is just digging in the dirt and eating small amounts no big chunks I don't leave him in the yard un supervised I think he is too little . But runs and digs like crazy and runs away with dirt hanging from his face!!!!! |
4dognight wrote: Thank you all for the advice. I can clip tonails I do my other dogs, but wondered if this was included in a visit to the groomer. I will make sure the groomer knows not to shave my guy. Winter is comming and I think it will be too cold. I have been brusing him and he dosen't seem to have any mats. Just one more question . How do I get his undercoat out?? I have been usung a rake style brush and not much is comming out? He has had two baths since I got him. It rained here so much and my other dogs felt the need to roll him around in any muddy spots, which by the way are from him. Why do Sheepdogs like to eat dirt???? My dogs are on a good quality dog food, he is on a large breed puppy chow and is growing . At 4 mos he was 41 lbs he is almost 5 now and is growing so I don't he is hungary I am having a time keeping his beard clean!!
If you mean puppy chow the actual brand, I wouldn't consider that a good quality food to be honest. It the lowest end of the purina line... I would go to Pro Plan puppy if you want to stick with purina. JMO As a young pup I wouldn't think he would have very much coat yet, it's when they get to 9-18 months that it can become really difficult. |
| My dogs are on sensible choice by royal canin. I just used chow in place of food (sorry) This food is chicken and rice . Not a lot of fillers. I believe if you feed a good "Chow" it pays off . But with three big dogs and a sheepie that may top 100lbs. my feed bill is out of sight!!! I make my own dog treats most of the time but they have no preservatives so need to be kept in the fridge or will mold . Yeah... like treats last long here!! Thanks for the info. I did not know Purina dog Chow was the lowest on the purina line. That is good to know. Hopefully this groomer will work out befor Guinness gets to be a year and she will help me keep him looking good |
| Personally I would much rather spend the time combing and brushing my two and letting the groomer bathe, trim hair in ears, between toes and around the bum. Yes I spend about 8 hours a week on the two dogs. Barney takes about 1 hr, Maggie about 2 1/2 hours, twice a week. This keeps them free of mats and tangles and debris (leaves, etc). When I got Maggie last June as a rescue, she was badly matted. We finally had to thin her out with a rake, removing much of the undercoat, and actually had to shave her belly and insides of her legs. I would only recommend this as a last resort. I would avoid any thinning of the undercoat since this gives body to the overall appearance of the dog.
I just got my guys back from the groomer today - $30 + $15 tip for the two. Hope to post some pics when I get them developed. Personally the dogs and I enjoy the combing/brushing. And I avoid the mess of the three of us getting a bath! |
George wrote: I just got my guys back from the groomer today - $30 + $15 tip for the two. Hope to post some pics when I get them developed. Personally the dogs and I enjoy the combing/brushing. And I avoid the mess of the three of us getting a bath!
George, stop pushing your super sweet grooming bargain! You just keep saying it to make us all jealous! 
Just kidding-- well not really. I wish I could get that deal without having to go to Missouri! |
Heck, I'd get more dogs just because of the grooming price  |
| Gee George,
You made me think. Guinness is only 5 months and is not matted and we have an elevated tub in our basement . He is a doll to bath I may just keep bathing him myself I can do tonails, I guess I can trim his bum and do between his toes OR... do you think it is good to get set up with a groomer just in case. I am afraid they will shave him or clip him wierd. Every one has been so helpful Now all I need to do it figure out how to post some pics. Thanks to everyone |
Not George but just wanted to add my two-cents 
I wouldn't clip him yet if he doesn't need it... I can't remember where you're from but the cold weather is probably setting in. They are so cute and fuzzy at that age and not very difficult to maintain. And the brushing sessions get them used to being handled and it makes for good one-on-one bonding time too. Anyone know where to purchase the quilted nylon jacket-type material by the yard online? Gotta make more doggie coats and no one here has it this year. Let me know if you know... Thanks! |
| Jaclin, all I could find online was 100 yards @ $2.50 yd, I'm guessing that's more than you need Did you try the Quilt N Bee on S Airport? |
bestdogsx4 wrote: Jaclin, all I could find online was 100 yards @ $2.50 yd, I'm guessing that's more than you need
Yikes! I'd be making coats for everyone's sheepies
I'll give the Quilt N Bee a call. Thanks so much for the info! |
| I'll take one in pink for Daisy and three in something really manly |
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