Help! I need home grooming tips!
 

My 2 yr old Otis has never been to the "beauty shop". I've always just "made do" at home. I struggle the most with his adorable face & nails. HE HATES IT!! We've all heard the horror stories. I was at Petsmart one day watching the girl groom a shih-tzu. She pulled so hard on his facial hair, I actually had to stop watching. I'm sure there are gentle, loving groomers out there but without seeing with my own eyes, I don't trust anyone. I even bought a grooming table arm online to use. It helped a little bit, but he still tries to climb up my arm while I'm trying to trim him. I subscribed to a thread about grooming pillows, but didn't get much of a response. I'm single so there's no one to help hold him while I try. In the past I've always kind of "snuck up" on him while he's sleeping and done it 1 cut at a time, as he gets his feelings hurt everytime I try to trim. Is there anyone out there with any more advice for me? He tolerates me cutting the hair on his body, but his face and feet are a totally different story. I don't want people thinking he's not loved because he doesn't have a store bought haircut. I'll figure out this weekend how to post a picture so you all can see my somewhat shaggy boy!! Trust me, he is very loved regardless of his disheveled hair do. I continue to sneak up on him to keep his face trimmed so he can see, in hopes that soon I will find the answers. Will he become more tolerant as he gets older? Any information is appreciated.

Did you also buy the attachment for the grooming table for the neck loop? You can also get a belly loop. That would help to keep him still a bit more. Other than that I can't offer any help. I used do Muffin after she got old, because it was too stressful at her age. She'd stand just as still for me.:)

home grooming
 

Yes I have the neck loop, he still tries to climb my arms. I'll certainly look into the belly loop. Thanks so much for your reply.

LOL....a Store Bought Haircut ?? hahaha :D That's where most of the horror stories are coming from - it's always good to learn how to groom yourself...and just thinking about that PetSmart Groomer makes me mad - why would they pull on their hair like that ?

I think that's what happened to Chanel when she was at a groomer 3 years ago...the woman had to be rough on her cause she cried on the way home - you can Bet I called them and gave her hell - I was really upset.

Here's a site - it's not great but can give you a little visual - http://www.ytca.org/grooming_clips1.html

and another for reading http://www.yorkie.org/dogs/grooming_yorkies.html and there is a good grooming video out there...but you would have to order it

ps...I think grooming them ourselves shows ALOT of love - many people can just go drop off a dog - but learning and doing it yourself takes love.....(or you're just broke and THAT I understand) (KIDDING !!)

Good one's V.

I have this site saved on my 'puter, but I don't know if it'll be a darn bit of help to you.

http://members.cox.net/jrogan/care.html

Not much help here - Chico has a creative haircut, too. Can't get him to hold still either. I did get a big suction cup that I use on the bottom of the sink for baths. That really helped so maybe I should try it for grooming. My husband and I both tried to hold him to trim his nails and we only got one done. I count on long walks to keep them sorta trimmed. Anyway, good luck!

home grooming
 

[QUOTE=red98vett]LOL....a Store Bought Haircut ?? hahaha :D That's where most of the horror stories are coming from - it's always good to learn how to groom yourself...and just thinking about that PetSmart Groomer makes me mad - why would they pull on their hair like that ?

I think that's what happened to Chanel when she was at a groomer 3 years ago...the woman had to be rough on her cause she cried on the way home - you can Bet I called them and gave her hell - I was really upset.

Here's a site - it's not great but can give you a little visual - http://www.ytca.org/grooming_clips1.html

and another for reading http://www.yorkie.org/dogs/grooming_yorkies.html and there is a good grooming video out there...but you would have to order i



Thanks so much for the websites! I'll definately look into them. My big problem is his behavior while being groomed. I'm not extremely picky about the final "do". I just don't want him to look like a welfare dog, with his hair in his eyes and shaggy feet. and long toe nails. The tip about cutting nails when there wet and soft is good. The fact that the chick at petsmart could be doing that when she KNOWS people are watching is unbelievable. I have to get over feeling terrible when he hides his face in my arm becuase he knows I want to trim him. It's crazy how you can actually see the fear in their little faces just like a real child. I'll try anything. Otis is only 2, he's got many years of this ahead of him. I've gotten books from the library about how to groom, but he's such a boy, I'll probably always stick with the puppy cut. He LOVES to be outside, and summers are hot here. Maybe a little longer in the winter. That's when he likes to sleep undercovers! Thanks for your help. I really appreciate your help, and this site!!

Home grooming
 

Thanks so much. Otis is truly a "pet" yorkie. No long flowing wigs here. He is black and somewhat cottony, but he is pedigree'd. Thanks for the suggestions. I appreciate it.

The nice thing about grooming them at home is that it saves money. The other nice things are that you know they're safe, you can take your time, and you can do a little at a time when you know they're tired.:D

Dealing with his behavior is key. I suppose he's learned he can get to you by being pitiful. It always works on me!:D You'll probably just have to be a mean mommy and be stern and say no. Good luck with that part. I was never much of a disciplinarian, either.:D

I've always groomed my yorkies at home, and eventually they become resigned to it. And you get better with practice. That said, I still need my husband to hold them while I'm clipping, so I can see how difficult it would be to do it alone. You might try taking Otis for a long walk before you groom. Sometimes they're more cooperative when they're tired. Don't give up. It's so worth it in the end. :)

I've often thought that! I'm being too soft. I'll do it. He's full of energy, so I may be as tired as him, but I'll wear his little butt out and then try it. And I vow not to look into those little brown eyes and break down.... He works me... BIG TIME!

Thanks for the nail tip! Otis could walk for 4 hours straight! I'll try it! thanks again!

Oh yeah... they sure know how to pull our strings, don't they? And we all melt when we look into those precious yorkie faces. But you'll be so happy and proud when you groom him and he looks great. Be strong!:)

I'll drop a few links here:

http://www.groomers.net/discus/messa...tml?1138741879

http://theyorkiebowtique.com/bowtiqu...roducts_id=111

This is for a silky, but who cares?:D

http://www.delayrekennel.com/silky%20grooming.htm

This page has care tips:

http://www.petdecals.com/lakelandkennel/grooming.htm

Thanks Amanda! It's so nice to be here with people that understand that they really are babies and not just dogs. I appreciate it.