Quote:
Originally Posted by kazzakp  Hey everyone 
Ive had my 11 week old adorable wee pup Lola for a week but have not attempted brushing her, her teeth or bathing her....
Wondering if I should have done that by now?? She is my first pet so I have no experience (I have 3 kids 13, 11 & 6 that Ive pretty much brought up on my own so hoping Im capable of bringing up a dog, eeek a bit scared but hopeful, lol)
Any advice would be awesome
Karen.xx |
First things first, Get your pup insured just in case, if you haven't already that is. You can get a cheap insurance through a price comparison website for around £50 to £100 for the year (it varies a lot). Also make sure your dog has been vaccinated at the vets.
Note: Trust me about the insurance i've not long had to payout over £1000 in unexpected vet bills because i let my insurance laps. The PDSA/RSPCA is an option but they can be funny buggers over pedigree dogs.
Also don't let the pup on the furniture or your bed yet. They're just like a baby you've got to watch out in case the daft little buggers jump off and hurt themselves. If you're going to let them on the furniture only let them do so once you're confidant they can get up and down themselves without getting hurt.
For toilet training if you're at home 24/7 and your back garden is secure don't bother with puppy pads. Just put the pup out every time they wake up from a sleep, eat or if they just look like they need to do something. Watch the the pup when its outside as soon as it does something praise it. If the pup does something inside tell it of. Expect lots and lots of accidents though so don't get angry. As they're just like a baby and have a tiny tiny bladder so when they want to go they want to go.
For brushing, i'd brush daily now. Not to much just a couple of minutes here and there to get the pup used to it. Pay special attention to the leg joints, armpits and underneath as that is where tats tend to build up the most. Try to make it fun for the pup and not do to much at once otherwise the pup will get sick to death of it and won't want to be groomed.
Bathing I'd do once a week just to get the pup used to it. Personally i don't bath my dogs though i shower them (the showers in the bath) with tepid water. I also put my hand over the the shower head and let the water trickle over my dogs gently instead of letting it blast them.
Another thing, i don't normally put the shampoo and conditioner directly in to the dogs hair. I put some shampoo or conditioner in to a jug then fill the jug with water from the shower head. If done right you should end up with a jug full of foam which you can slowly and carefully pour over the dog and massage in to its coat.
As for which brushes to buy it depends on how your going to keep you're pups coat. If you're going to keep it short you don't need the pin brush or combs just one of these from boots will do you.
Denman Grooming Brush D81M - Boots
or
Buy Lee Stafford Perfectly Polished Finishing Brush - Hair accessories - Boots
The boars hair will give your pups coat a lovely shine.
If you're going to go for long hair though definitely get a Madan brush they're brilliant. I'm not sure if the other ladies website delivers to Scotland though. You could try hub international as they sell Madan brushes in the UK.
HUB International (Mr & Mrs G Urquhart) Pin Brush
I think i've got the baby blue
Madan Medium 22mm Pin Brush (various Colours)
As for the combs these are the two i bought.
Show Tech Pro Combi Comb 19cm Show Tech Mini Combi-Comb 11.5cm
The big comb i use on the main part of the body and to unpick stubborn tats. The little comb i use around the face and to do the topknot.
You're also going to want a tail comb to help do the parting along the back.
Trevor Sorbie tail comb - Boots
If you have any problems doing the topknot try.
Miss Sporty Mascara Just Clear 101 - Miss Sporty - Mascara at Superdrug
That should help you with all the loose hairs that aren't quit long enough yet.
As for Shampoos and conditioner these are what i use.
K9 Herbal Solutions
Coconut oil shampoo, Wheat protein shampoo and conditioner.
I've also been recommend to use Pantene pro V conditioner by some of the top UK Yorkie breeders and I'll be honest it works great from what i've tried.
I also like this stuff myself though
Boots Ingredients Coconut and Almond Leave-In Conditioner 150ml - Boots
Note: Anyway everything i've wrote take with a pinch of salt all dogs are different and some things will work for some and some things wont. You'll just have to try and find out what works best for your pup.
