how to care for hair (new yorkie mom)

[octobersongs]

Hi! We've had domo for 2 days now and I'm trying to learn how to care for his coat...I went and bought a two brushes...similar to these..

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c6...23684040_1.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c6...56944040_1.jpg

I'm finding that his hair is pretty matted at the base, closest to his skin. The brush does nothing and the comb pulls his hair. What should I do? Will a bath with a silky conditioner help out for brushing? Should I blow dry him after a bath? What else?

[octobersongs]

I just read through some old threads where someone suggesting getting a good detangler and spraying it on, then comb...?

i ordered yorkie sheen an shine or whatever it;s called. I ordered it online a few days ago so im waiting on that. ill check the local stores in the mean time.

[MandiesMom]

For the brush, I think it's best to use a regular pin brush (with no plastic/rubber tips on the ends). If you are having a problem with matting, try a little bit of corn starch and see if you can work thru the mats a little at a time..starting out and working in towards the skin. If the mats are too far gone for that to work, you might have to clip or cut them out (just use a small pair of blunt nose hair scissors..remember to slide a comb or something between the mat and the skin to ensure you don't accidentally nick the skin).

I do recommend getting a spray in conditioner and/or detangler. It will really help catch the tangles before the start matting up.

Mandie had a problem with her front legs and cheeks matting. After trying several things to fix this, what worked for me (since I started about 3 weeks ago) was using a good conditioner, patting her dry as much as possible, brushing her with a pin brush (comb only on her mustache), and blow drying her. I used to just let her run around and dry herself, but that is really where the matting and tangles began, I think. Since blow drying while brushing as I go, her mats have stayed gone with just daily brushing...I haven't even had to use the detangler at all anymore. Oh, I also always combed her because her hair wasn't super long and I thought the comb would be better than the pin brush. I was wrong. No comb on the body..only pin brush. And blow dry.

I think the reason your brush isn't doing anything is because of the tips. Try a good pin brush like the Madan...mimimomo sells them at topline..here's the link so you can see the different styles:
toplinepet.com

[MY OSCAR]

hi, another suggestion would be the wooden pin brush..
it has smooth wooden pins that glide through the hair withtout snagging..
i use it everyday for oscar and it works very well



Amazon.com: Earth Therapeutics Natural Wood Pin...

[octobersongs]

He needs a bath. Can I use what I use for my chihuahua on him while I'm waiting for his yorkie shampoo to arrive by mail. We use Happy Tails fur butter or fur worse conditioner and Happy Tails oatmeal shampoo...

[MY OSCAR]

Originally Posted by octobersongs

He needs a bath. Can I use what I use for my chihuahua on him while I'm waiting for his yorkie shampoo to arrive by mail. We use Happy Tails fur butter or fur worse conditioner and Happy Tails oatmeal shampoo...

yes , it is perfectly fine to use the same shampoo ..

[gracielove]

I also recommend the types of combs that toplinepet. com has. I use a 6" metal comb for the body and a 4" comb for legs and face. The Maden pin brush reaches down to the skin and helps get any dead hair out. A bristle brush does nothing for a long coat. The metal combs also get down to the skin and are work well for detangling. I don't know what brands you have to choose from over there but they should have the same types of combs and brushes.

It is a shame that such a young puppy is matted already. Buy a good all natural shampoo and conditioner. Sulfates that are in most typical dog shampoos will strip the skin and coat of needed natural oils. When that happens the skin will start over producing oils. The fur will also tangle more easily.

I use a conditioner after shampooing and I also have a detanging spray to use on her ends between baths. She has a long coat and sometimes the ends will tangle, especially after I take her out for a walk. This time of year we have leaves on the ground that get her messy.

It is a good idea to groom your puppy at least twice a day. It should only take a couple of minutes but it is teaching your puppy to accept the grooming he will need for the rest of his life. If you wait until he is older you will have a much harder time getting him to submit to grooming. A weekly bath will keep him looking and smelling nice and will also teach him to accept the bath. Most don't like it much at first but it requires time and training just like anything else.

If his coat is matted up close to the skin you may have to carefully cut the mat out. You can try a good spray but if it doesn't loosen it up then cutting is your only other option.

[AngelFae]

I have a comb for Blazer that has metal rotating pins. It gets the mats out (not that he usually has any) without pulling on them much. I also have a super fine tooth rattail comb that I use on him.

[octobersongs]

thanks everyone!

[octobersongs]

I'm not sure what else to do...

Domo's hair is short, but it's matted at the base, nearest to his skin. I got on this site and read about brushes and detanglers...I ordered the good stuff online, but I live in Japan, so it's going to take some time to get here. I went and bought a brush and comb yesterday that didn't work. Then after reading more, I went and bought the right type of comb and the best brush I could find, which happened to also be what the pet store recommended. It doesn't work. I bought a detangler too. Still not working..I'm getting frustrated..

Can the cornstarch thing be done on a 12 week old puppy, what else can I do?

[Juliealfies mum]

I use the tangle teaser brush as my one of my dogs hates getting brushed . It has been brilliant for getting out mats ,just keep brushing the mat and it comes out .Tangle Teezer the Detangling Hair Care Brand

[yorkiemini]

Highly recommend the wooden pin brushes!
We use it daily!

[gracielove]

Do you have a metal comb like the ones pictured on toplinepet? A 6 or 7 inch comb (I prefer the 6" because of her small size) like one of those pictured is what you need to work on the mats with. A brush is more for use after the tangles are out.

Some people have had success using corn starch directly on the mat and then slowly picking through it with a metal comb.

Once you bathe him it is pretty much impossible to comb a bad mate out so you might want to try the cornstarch. Spraying the detangler directly onto the mat and working it in really well sometimes will do the trick. It just depends on how bad the mat is. If the mat is right on his skin it is really difficult, especially with a small puppy.

The wooden pin brushes are nice but won't really work on a mat like you are dealing with. Maybe you could get some help holding him while you work on the mat?

Cornstarch won't hurt you puppy.

[octobersongs]

Thanks. I was concerned with putting cornstach on such a little pup. Yes I do have a comb like on that website. I've also ordered a madan brush. I'm going to try to work at it slowly. My husband helps me hold him, lol, it's still a battle.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

How often are you brushing him? I have to brush mine at least twice a day. Yorkie Sheen is a great detangler. I also would recommend PEK conditioner. It makes my girls hair feel soft and silky! Madan brush and comb are highly recommended as well.