It hurts to pull their hair, but I think how bad it hurts also depends on the area. My boys have super sensitive spots like their arm pits or tummys and beards.
I personally use a pin brush and not a slicker. I've always assumed a slicker was used more on dogs with undercoats because it gets out the excess hair. Yorkies don't have an undercoat,and really don't shed much....and some, esp. the silky coats, have really think hair. A slicker can definitely do damage to any dog if it's used too roughly...but since our little guys that don't have thick, fluffy undercoats like some other breeds(malamutes, newfoundlands, collies, goldens etc et), I think it could do damage way more easily. I've accidentally poked myself under my fingernail with a slicker and it made my finger bleed.
I try to be gentle when brushing the boys. I use spray in conditioner when I brush them as well. I groom them myself because I've seen first hand, how some groomers can get too rough. Some of them are in a hurry because they are busy...others just forget to be gentle...and some get irritated and short tempered if they've been fighting to get dogs to stand still to get groomed. I think I am way more patient and sensitive than someone else because they are my kids.
I took my little guy to Petsmart a few months ago to get his toenails trimmed and that was enough for me. Of course, my little guy was a wiggle worm and wouldn't sit still....that's why I brought him there...to make matters worse, the groomer was in a hurry and instead of asking for help, the kid just man handled my dog... I was so scared he was going to break my little guys long skinny legs. Needless to say, he now gets his nails done at the vets. |