Help with bathing & brushing PLEASE!!

[Signmom99]

Ok, so puppy is 11 wks. I have attempted a bath once so far. DISASTER!! He hated it. I used the kitchen sink and he clawed at me to get out the whole time. So, tell me if you think this a better approach.

I figured I could start by putting him in the bath tub with just a 1/2" of water and none running. Let him get his feet wet, walk around, etc. and then take him out. No trauma. Maybe do that nightly for a few days or so. Also increase the amount of water a little each night. I don't have a sprayer in the tub, but figured when time to use shampoo can use a large cup or something instead. After the first bath I gave him he shook something terrible afterward. Is that from being cold or from being scared? Is there anything I can do so my poor baby will not mind getting a bath?

Should I put cotton in his ears to keep the water from going in there?

THEN, he also does not like to be brushed he's kind of a weenie when it comes to tangles & such!! But, I may also be using the wrong kind of brush/comb. Since I plan on bathing and eventually grooming myself, do you have any suggestions for brushes/combs? I won't keep him in a long coat so it would be something that would work for a puppy type cut.

[edwardsmom]

Edward was the same when i brought him home, we have the sink with the nozzle that you can spray the water on him with trust me thats better then letting him in the tub Edward has never liked the water covering his paws.
So here is what i do: I put on his harness then i clip on an extra 4 ft leash that i only use for the bath then i push the microwave along the side of the sink so he cant jump on to the counter. after that I put the leash behind the microwave and put some heavy objects to weigh down the leash like the bottle of laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid bottle just a few things so he cant pull on the leash and jump off and Edward use to claw at me but now he just puts his front paws and the edge of the sink like hurry up! And just stay calm and talk to him and praise him tell him how he is such a good boy and if u plan on keeping him in the puppy cut u will not need much but a pin brush and slicker brush are good I have them from Chris Christensen I also get him his shampoo and conditioner from them but i use a gentler shampoo on his face that says no tears but still dont let it get in his eyes. As for the cotton in his ears I have read everywhere that is the best thing to do but i never got Edward use to this so he wont let me now but i try and not get any water in his ears. So whatever u start doing from now even if right now it does not seem like he likes is what he wil get use to. And when u brush him give him lots of treats and have small brushing sessions until u see he can at least tolerated then u can add on to the time. like when Edward was smaller i use to clean his ears and his eyes on alternate days so it wouldnt be too much now it doesnt really matter cause he knows what im doing and it will be over soon i actually clean his eyes when i bathe him with my own fingers so we have come a very long way!


Good Luck I am sure you will do GREAT!

[megansmomma]

All of mine are bathed in the kitchen sick with the sprayer. Yorkies have a lifelong of grooming so you need to build an excellent foundation from the very beginning.

Here are my suggestions:

1. Lay out all of your supplies ahead of time. Towels, shampoo, conditioner, brush, comb, blowdryer, scissors.........
2. I like to put a hand towel in the bottom of the sick so they do not slide around and feel secure. Other have suggested a sink mat and that would would very well too.
3. In the beginning I always kept their harness on while bathing. It allowed be better control while washing.
4. I always start at the head and wet with a washcloth. Wipe the eyes and around the mouth. I then shampoo the head and work my way back to the tail.
5. Using the sprayer I start at the back of the head and work my way to the tail and underneath with the water. Once they are wet all over I apply the shampoo. If you add a little water to the shampoo bottle it lathers up better and you can work quicker.
6. Make sure that you keep one hand on the puppy at all. Other have had experiences of their puppy jumping out of the sink and breaking a leg. Be very careful!
7. Once the shampoo is rinse you can then condition.
8. I like to place the towel that I use to dry on top of the table or my wash machine to then groom. Make sure that all of your grooming tools are laid out ahead of time.
9. Comb out knots first.
10. I always blow dry too. At first I always used a low setting and worked quickly.
*Most importantly be sure to make it a habit to touch and feel between the paws and all over their body. It is also best to always make it a habit to groom in the same spot. Use treats and calm voice to reassure as you follow the entire process.

Mimimomo sells some nice brushes that are reasonable. She also sells other grooming supplies. She is a member her on YT. Just do a member search. toplinepet.com

[Mitzis Mom]

What you are planing on doing in the bathtub is the way to go. Everyday a little bit so your baby boy can get used to it. The shaking was probably from the stress and if you have your AC on real cold he might have been shivering from that too. I turn the AC off for a while until the babies are dry or I use the hairdryer on the low heat setting. I also lay out towels on the floor b/c thay love to rub and roll on them.

When I got our new puppy I let him look at first what happens to the others and then I put him into the tub while his big 'brother' got a bath. That way he saw that it is survivable...LOL... Since you don't have another pup just go slow with baby steps. Same with the brushing. I started out with a very soft baby brush and we kind of just played until that thing lost it's dangerous smell and look. A LOT of treats also help! Now at 7 months he enjoys being brushed with the great pin brush from Chris Christensen.

[Signmom99]

Thank you, good ideas. It's hard going slow with things!! I put Max in the tub tonight. I just let him walk around, drink, sniff, and so forth while I stayed there and talked softly and encouragingly to him. Once i thought he was done checking it all out and we got about 1/2 wet & rinsed off his bum I got him out. Haven't attempted the blow dryer yet and will wait on that one until he's more acclimated to things. Mine is pretty loud.

I got a standard pin style brush and a grooming comb. I think I should have been brushing diligently for the last 3 weeks, but puppy cuteness delayed that. (bad mama). He probably has the very beginnings of mats down by the skin but I'm working on those and conquering.

I'm still a little unsure how to wash the face without getting water in his eyes and nose. But I guess practice for us both will take care of that. Geez, i didn't realize just how out of practice I am. I've become quite complacent taking our dogs to the groomers once a month. But the economy doesn't allow for that any longer. Std poodle still has to go cuz, well she's just too big for me.

What kinds of treat does everyone use? I'm scared to give anything but kibble. Our last yorkie passed from extreme pancreatitis. I like to give treats, but am nervous. Is it ok?