I'm a bad yorkie mom
 

So we took our guy to the groomer yesterday and he had knots so bad on him that they had to pretty much shave him down to the skin. He looks like a deer. I think he is very mad at us that we did this to him :( We combed him all the time. How can we make sure he doesn't get knots? He had them the worst on his head and chest.

How old is he, lots of members have trouble with the puppy coat and one shave is often needed. Usually the hair by the age of one has less tendency to mat, unless it's a cotton coat. To prevent matting use Cowboy Magic Detangler before bathing and brush first then comb, use a good pin brush, and concentrate in those problem spots. You never want to wet the hair until all mats are out, and Cowboy Magic, helps with mats because it makes hair slicker. Bath as usual and follow with a good conditioner. If your yorkie has a cotton coat, a small amount of cowboy magic can be used after shampooing as well, concentrating on previously matted areas. Always remember to follow up with a comb close to the skin. Clothing can also cause mats, so after removing clothing check chest and underarms for mats. You're not a bad mama, if you are willing to learn from your mistakes, we all make mistakes.

Can I buy that at PetSmart? He is 7 months. He looks like an alien. I wish I had pictures on my computer. So get the tangles out before the bath? Should we always use conditioner? Thank you so much! I hope his hair grows fast!

Well there's good news and bad news, the good news is cotton coats grow really fast, but they are prone to matting, so it's best to keep them on the short side, silky coats grow slow, but hardly ever mat. He'll probably take a month before he looks like a puppy cut, and most people use clothing during this period; hopefully his adult hair will be much better. You should bath about once a week and always use a conditioner. I recommend Cowboy Magic, because it really does works like magic on mats, but use something else as a conditioner. Joey had a few mats as a puppy, and they seem to dissolve when you work your fingers in a circular motion around the mat. Every now and then he gets a sticker, and the cowboy magic makes it really easy to come out without causing him any pain. I bought mine on e-bay, some people say their Petsmart sells it, mine didn't, neither does the on-line Petsmart, but you can google it, and if you live by any place that sell horse supplies, they will have it since it's made for horses. Get the Cowboy Magic detangler, not the shampoo, or conditioner. Also alway use a shampoo made for dogs, because the PH of the hair is different and human shampoos can over time really dry out their hair and skin, even gentle human shampoos.

I'd use conditioner if his hair knots that bad and try to get into a routine of brushing him every day

Also - if he's upset - put a shirt on him...that'll keep him warm and make him feel like he's not running around naked :)

ahhh you're not a bad yorkie mom. It can happen, don't worry. The important thing now is that you try to keep with unmatted the most you can. Follow the advise of our yorkietalkers and you'll be fine. I know that some people don't like the slicker brush, but I use the when a find a tight matt or knot close to the body, it really helps clear those matts without hurting if you know how to use it. People that want to grow their yorkies' hair in a long coat don't recommend it because it breaks the hair, but if you plan to have him on a puppy coat, it works great.
Like they said before, put a shirt on him while the hair is short so he's not cold and he can look cute and not too skinny :)

I shave my shih zhu all the time. I can't keep him from matting. I keep a shirt on after so he don't get cold.

Aww love, we had to have Suzi groomed too for that reason. However much I brushed her she knotted. She's 5 months. Her coat now, although short, looks similar to Katie's and Katie's doesn't knot at all. Just a short brush is all she needs.

I use the Johnsons baby, no tangle, ( and no tears,) shampoo on them.

Hugs Shirl x x

"Bad Mom Club"
 

If matted hair makes you a bad Yorkie Mom, then I must be one too:(....:)

My Garrett is a cotton coat too, and Oh Boy does he get matted!

Ever since I got him at 3 months old, I have gotten him into a nightly ritual of brushing. Right before bed time, when he wants to come up in my bed, I brush him, clean his eyes, and brush his teeth. It helps to stay on top of the mats, but they happen anyway. I use Johnson's No More Tears [which I use to use on my daughter ;)] and it sure helps. And I do use a conditioner when I bathe him.

I haven't had to shave him down thankfully, and I keep his hair at medium length, but from time to time he does have a few "bald spots" from me having to cut out a knot that wont untangle :D....not cute! I keep his underside short though as those areas tend to get tangled the easiest and he picks up alot of debris when he goes on his safaris in the back yard;)

Cotton coats do take a bit of maintenance, but I think it's so worth it, I love how fluffy cotton coats are, and how fast they grow.

:eek:I feel for you having a puppy with mats - as my Mac gets them also (I've no idea what kind of coat he has at 6 months of age) and I'm trying to understand what order to use these 3 items in:

First the Cowboy Magic to get the mats out?
Then Shampoo?
Then Conditioner?

Or do I use the Cowboy Magic last - after shampooing and conditioning? Great thread! :thumbup:

Oh, I just read more of this thread and I think I understand it -

Use Cowboy Magic on dry puppy. Then shampoo and follow with more CM if needed (?) then conditioner. Right?

I'll look for CM on my way home tonight.
Thanks!

I really depends on the dog's coat. Joey coat is silky, but as a puppy when he wore clothes a lot he would mat/tangle in certain areas. Using it before a bath worked great because I could use a lot and not have him look dirty. Some people say they use a tiny amount on their cotton coated Yorkies after the bath as well, but it's not that great on a silky coat; it just looks dirty.

You aren't a bad Mommy :hug: My little Abigail gets mats no matter what I do. :(
Just yesterday, I felt big tangles under her arms, I'm guessing from her harness. So I sat down last night with my cowboy magic and thinning shears and got them out. I felt so much better afterwards and I'm sure she did too.

I'm trying my best not to cut her coat, but I'm sure by the time Spring gets here, I'll be ready to cut her short. Abby btw, is 8 months old and has a very thick coat.

Another thing to add to the already great suggestions is to be careful of how you dry them. Never rub hard with the towel. Just squeeze the water out with the towel and then brush or comb as you blow dry. I think that's why Abby was so tangled...hubby dried her off the past two times she had a bath and he's a scrubber! :eek:

I'm sure your baby is still adorable :wub: