Chloe is a mess
 

He had to have his hair shaved because the groomer at Petco, almost got bitten when they took out a mat. He had a few, none on friday but Monday came and he had a few I took him right over., Now he looks like a mexican hairless. He has his top knot but thats it. Do you have any ideas on how to find a groomer or make this dog stay still to have him combed out right..
Thanks.

Do you brush him frequently?

I ask because if you don't start the habbits at home, how can you expect them to do them in stressful situations, like a noisy, crowded groomers (and Petco and Petsmart are about as noisy and crowded as it gets).

If you are brushing him a little every day, he shouldn't really mat up all that much and he will be used to the attention and feeling so its not so foreign to him.

You may also want to find a profesional groomer in a private shop where there can be more time and attention paid to your dog.

Please be careful with the Petco/Petsmart groomers. There are just too many horror stories of Yorkie get killed at those grooming places, either by the dryers that they stick into the cages OR by their stupidity by allowing a BIG dog to attack and kill.

There are a number of those Petco/Petsmart killed my Yorkie threads on here (so sad) :(

It is best to find a small private groomer ;)

I have hear of so many nighmare stories with Petco and Petsmart groomers. They have the worst reviews, especially when it comes to dogs with lots of hair, that need special cuts. I suggest you find a very reputable groomer in your area. It will cost more but it is the equivilant to having a great hair stylist for yourself. You can just take him once a month and do the routine stuff like baths and brushing at home.

Daily grooming is the key. But once they have mats (and puppies can get mats in the course of one day!) it will make them hate grooming less if you ease the mats out with a product. You can try the No More Tangles products for human kids. Just spray it on and comb through. Or the same sort of products are made for pets: I have some John Paul Pet Instant Detangling Spray that works pretty well too. For bad mats you can use Cowboy Magic Detangler (it is slimy -- just apply direct/undiluted and then pull the mat apart with fingers), or a product called "The Stuff" (works the same as the CM Detangler), or I have read good things about working fine ground corn meal into the mat and then working it out with your fingers. You can also just drench them in conditioner (any kind pet or human) and gently work a large tooth comb or one of those plastic bristle hair brushes through the coat. Just make sure if you use any of these (besides the Sprays) RINSE WELL! The Cowboy Magic Detangler is sometimes hard to rinse out well and a silky coat will wind up looking greasy if you don't get it all out. I'd recommend just shampooing lightly again to make sure it is all out.

It is really important to try to do this with a minimum of discomfort to the pup. That way, they will not learn to hate grooming. Put them through one mat pulling contest and they will fear the comb/brush/and grooming in general. Good news is that as they mature to a silky coat, daily brushing will usually keep the mats at bay.

Except....I finally had grown Ben's hair out for a nice topknot. Got it put in and he insisted on rubbing his head on everything, couch, chairs carpet to try to get that topknot out. He shook the bow out right away. But during the night, he had rubbed his head hair into one giant knot! I had to cut the bands out and ran for the Detangling spray and worked and worked to get those knots out. So, even with daily brushing, and a nice silky coat, you still need to occasionally work out mats/knots! My little Rocky is still in the daily mat stage at 6 months old. But I just ease them out and he is learning to tolerate a grooming session without biting the brush.