My furbaby looks homeless! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

DorkyYorkie1 · 11-10-2008, 11:30 AM

My little guy is always running around and getting into something. Now when he's out and about he gets dried leaves, burrs and other stuff stuck in his yucky hair. The past week or so he's really gotten matted. He is so scruffy. He doesn't have a lot of fur, it's about 4 inches long, but heavily matted down the the skin. I can brush him out from about a 1/2 inch from his skin with out problem, and it will look a lot better, but soon his hair will section out again down to the skin with the mats. He is a little wiggle worm and still teething so it's difficult to brush anything except his mouth! He looks homeless and I feel very bad for him because I've let his fur get this way. Please help me!

I think shaving him would be a great idea, and the best solution, however, I live in Colorado and it's starting to get really cold. I think we'd have to shave him down to his skin. I can't do that to him. Do you guys have any ideas?

SamiNFurbabies · 11-10-2008, 11:44 AM

hahaha that was a funny story.
I'm sorry, i don't know what you should do, as I've never had a yorkie pup---but I'd take him to the groomer or shave him down and put on really heavy sweaters.

Lindsay1973 · 11-10-2008, 11:46 AM

Jamie also likes playing outside it's a boy thing.I bath him a lot and use sunsilk intensive treatment on his hair it makes it silky smooth and then he is easy to brush.Why don't you try one of those brushes that looks like a glove?

Jilliebeanz96 · 11-10-2008, 11:48 AM

I think if you are having a hard time getting him to be still for you to get the mats out its best to bring him to a groomer... if he is hurting...(even stressed out) when you try... not that it is your fault but with him wiggling it might make him pull and such which would make it worse....

He might end up not liking being brushed and be some what scared of the whole process and you dont want that...

My groomer... (we are new to this too.. as my Alfie is just 4 months and had the same issue)... our Groomer told us that mats start from the skin down so to shave him it will be that he will have just skin and no fur... and he will be COLD... as fur grows similar to hair... about 1/4 an inch a month...(this is what our groomer says) so she took her time with Alfie and brushed him all out.. but stopped a bit, then started again, and just taking little breaks.... this made it better for him.

It worked and he looks great and I feel better about it too, and for some reason with him having his fur all set now it makes it so much easier for me to grab him a few minutes a day and brush him a bit...

Good luck!!

jeanietoo · 11-10-2008, 03:43 PM

Most groomers around here would insist on shaving him down. If he is truly matted down to the skin it is cruel to let him in this condition. He probably will br cold but you can wear a sweater or coat when he goes outside but then make sure to brush him out afterward

jc212 · 11-10-2008, 03:53 PM

I would see if the groomer can do anything. Chase has never been that badly matted, but he always comes back so soft and without so much as a tangle. I've noticed that he has not really matted since the professional grooming. I don't know if it's a coincidence or not.

DorkyYorkie1 · 11-11-2008, 08:33 AM

Well I have good news! I gave him a bath last night and used an intensive reconditioning cream for conditioner and a pet detangler. I also picked up a slicker brush. He was a pretty good boy as we loosened the tangles, it was a two man job though- don't let me fool you! He looked great last night and I'm going to keep working on him-he looks so much better after using conditioner + detangler + slicker brush. I'm really happy with how well the brush worked. I will never live without one. I think he likes it a lot better too because he loves hearing how handsome he looks! I'll keep working with him though and get back to a daily routine so it doesn't happen again. Thank you for all your feedback, I love this place and I love you guys for making it such a great resource! Have a great Tuesday!

kpstoybox · 11-13-2008, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindsay1973

Jamie also likes playing outside it's a boy thing.I bath him a lot and use sunsilk intensive treatment on his hair it makes it silky smooth and then he is easy to brush.Why don't you try one of those brushes that looks like a glove?

I have had good results with Sunsilk as well.

msarmywife · 02-10-2009, 01:54 PM

My little Yorkie is a little over 1 yrs old. He also rolls in the snow, grass, mud and weeds. He doesn't chew or bite but he is open to everything else. (he is a terrier)
I work with a Yorkie Rescue in Colorado and know for a fact these little guys are worth every tangle you have to remove.
I get unloved babies that have never had a brush on their body, and a bath, never.
The first thing without a thought get a great groomer, when your not there your little Yorkie is a different little guy. The groomer will take care of your baby the way it needs to be done.
Every rescue I get go to the groomer in the first hours, the groomer cleans them, their teeth, nails and skin. Best investment in these little guys ever. Don't be afraid to get them trimmed down close if needed. Let them take care of your best friend.
Also, don't forget to have your dog chipped by the vet and neutered. There are too many dogs now. If your dog is a family pet, couch potato or lap dog, do them a favor and get them fixed. If you want to add to your family again, contact a doggie rescue in your area.
Please don't purchase a dog from a pet shop, those are probably puppy mill dogs.
Good luck with your Yorkie, he sounds like a great little dog. Be a great owner.

lovespandp · 02-10-2009, 03:08 PM

I think it is a BOY thing, my little guy is like that too!! I do keep his body hair really short, but his face is long, I just brush him everyday even his body

I give him doggie ice cream and after he eats it his face is all sticky haha but i just wipe him down with a warm cloth. the more you do things like that to him he will get use to it. I would shave him down, when its cold just bundle him up!!

msarmywife · 02-10-2009, 03:19 PM

My boy, Sparky is also cut shorter. I had thought he was fat and after the haircut he was smaller.
Doggie Ice Cream? Where do you get that? He would love that. My husband lets him lick the bowl from his but if he was allowed to have his own he would be a happy boy.
He is a former puppy mill dog and sold through a pet shop, so he has quirks. The first time I put a sweater on he just stood there like he was frozen in place. I took a couple of car trips before he liked it. He has a little hoodie that I don't think he will ever appreciate.
Does anyone else have a Yorkie that only barks outside? In the house he is pretty quiet but outside he is a terror.
Being a puppy mill dog is is also over 10 lbs, and is a solid little guy, nothing dantie about him. We were going to call him Tank, but a sweeter name was chosen.
Love the site.. can't wait to hear from other owners.

11-10-2008, 11:30 AM	#1
DorkyYorkie1 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Arvada, Colorado Posts: 16	My furbaby looks homeless! My little guy is always running around and getting into something. Now when he's out and about he gets dried leaves, burrs and other stuff stuck in his yucky hair. The past week or so he's really gotten matted. He is so scruffy. He doesn't have a lot of fur, it's about 4 inches long, but heavily matted down the the skin. I can brush him out from about a 1/2 inch from his skin with out problem, and it will look a lot better, but soon his hair will section out again down to the skin with the mats. He is a little wiggle worm and still teething so it's difficult to brush anything except his mouth! He looks homeless and I feel very bad for him because I've let his fur get this way. Please help me! I think shaving him would be a great idea, and the best solution, however, I live in Colorado and it's starting to get really cold. I think we'd have to shave him down to his skin. I can't do that to him. Do you guys have any ideas?

11-10-2008, 11:44 AM	#2
SamiNFurbabies YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: My House Posts: 517	hahaha that was a funny story. I'm sorry, i don't know what you should do, as I've never had a yorkie pup---but I'd take him to the groomer or shave him down and put on really heavy sweaters. __________________ Chrissy, Izze (Yorkshire Terrier),Molly & Suzie (Toy Poodles), Chachi (Chihuahua)

11-10-2008, 11:46 AM	#3
Lindsay1973 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: weltevreden park,jhb,south africa Posts: 199 Blog Entries: 10	Jamie also likes playing outside it's a boy thing.I bath him a lot and use sunsilk intensive treatment on his hair it makes it silky smooth and then he is easy to brush.Why don't you try one of those brushes that looks like a glove? __________________ Lins http://lindsaysmenagerie.blogspot.com/

11-10-2008, 11:48 AM	#4
Jilliebeanz96 Loved by Alfie & Evie Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Boston, MA USA Posts: 1,439 Blog Entries: 4	I think if you are having a hard time getting him to be still for you to get the mats out its best to bring him to a groomer... if he is hurting...(even stressed out) when you try... not that it is your fault but with him wiggling it might make him pull and such which would make it worse.... He might end up not liking being brushed and be some what scared of the whole process and you dont want that... My groomer... (we are new to this too.. as my Alfie is just 4 months and had the same issue)... our Groomer told us that mats start from the skin down so to shave him it will be that he will have just skin and no fur... and he will be COLD... as fur grows similar to hair... about 1/4 an inch a month...(this is what our groomer says) so she took her time with Alfie and brushed him all out.. but stopped a bit, then started again, and just taking little breaks.... this made it better for him. It worked and he looks great and I feel better about it too, and for some reason with him having his fur all set now it makes it so much easier for me to grab him a few minutes a day and brush him a bit... Good luck!! __________________ Proud mommy of the one and only... Alfie Boy~! ...and Lil Evie Girl~! Also in our is Me (Jillian)Daddy (Lee)and skin-sis (Madison)

11-10-2008, 03:53 PM	#6
jc212 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NY Posts: 440	I would see if the groomer can do anything. Chase has never been that badly matted, but he always comes back so soft and without so much as a tangle. I've noticed that he has not really matted since the professional grooming. I don't know if it's a coincidence or not. __________________ Loved by Chase

11-10-2008, 03:43 PM	#5
jeanietoo YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: pennsylvania Posts: 783	Most groomers around here would insist on shaving him down. If he is truly matted down to the skin it is cruel to let him in this condition. He probably will br cold but you can wear a sweater or coat when he goes outside but then make sure to brush him out afterward

11-11-2008, 08:33 AM	#7
DorkyYorkie1 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Arvada, Colorado Posts: 16	Well I have good news! I gave him a bath last night and used an intensive reconditioning cream for conditioner and a pet detangler. I also picked up a slicker brush. He was a pretty good boy as we loosened the tangles, it was a two man job though- don't let me fool you! He looked great last night and I'm going to keep working on him-he looks so much better after using conditioner + detangler + slicker brush. I'm really happy with how well the brush worked. I will never live without one. I think he likes it a lot better too because he loves hearing how handsome he looks! I'll keep working with him though and get back to a daily routine so it doesn't happen again. Thank you for all your feedback, I love this place and I love you guys for making it such a great resource! Have a great Tuesday!

02-10-2009, 01:54 PM	#9
msarmywife YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fountain Posts: 2	Yorkie babies My little Yorkie is a little over 1 yrs old. He also rolls in the snow, grass, mud and weeds. He doesn't chew or bite but he is open to everything else. (he is a terrier) I work with a Yorkie Rescue in Colorado and know for a fact these little guys are worth every tangle you have to remove. I get unloved babies that have never had a brush on their body, and a bath, never. The first thing without a thought get a great groomer, when your not there your little Yorkie is a different little guy. The groomer will take care of your baby the way it needs to be done. Every rescue I get go to the groomer in the first hours, the groomer cleans them, their teeth, nails and skin. Best investment in these little guys ever. Don't be afraid to get them trimmed down close if needed. Let them take care of your best friend. Also, don't forget to have your dog chipped by the vet and neutered. There are too many dogs now. If your dog is a family pet, couch potato or lap dog, do them a favor and get them fixed. If you want to add to your family again, contact a doggie rescue in your area. Please don't purchase a dog from a pet shop, those are probably puppy mill dogs. Good luck with your Yorkie, he sounds like a great little dog. Be a great owner.

02-10-2009, 03:08 PM	#10
lovespandp ♥Momma's Bambino♥ Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ca Posts: 10,026	I think it is a BOY thing, my little guy is like that too!! I do keep his body hair really short, but his face is long, I just brush him everyday even his body I give him doggie ice cream and after he eats it his face is all sticky haha but i just wipe him down with a warm cloth. the more you do things like that to him he will get use to it. I would shave him down, when its cold just bundle him up!! __________________ "People with nothing to hide don't usually feel the need to say so."

02-10-2009, 03:19 PM	#11
msarmywife YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fountain Posts: 2	They sound alike My boy, Sparky is also cut shorter. I had thought he was fat and after the haircut he was smaller. Doggie Ice Cream? Where do you get that? He would love that. My husband lets him lick the bowl from his but if he was allowed to have his own he would be a happy boy. He is a former puppy mill dog and sold through a pet shop, so he has quirks. The first time I put a sweater on he just stood there like he was frozen in place. I took a couple of car trips before he liked it. He has a little hoodie that I don't think he will ever appreciate. Does anyone else have a Yorkie that only barks outside? In the house he is pretty quiet but outside he is a terror. Being a puppy mill dog is is also over 10 lbs, and is a solid little guy, nothing dantie about him. We were going to call him Tank, but a sweeter name was chosen. Love the site.. can't wait to hear from other owners.