Grooming frustrations!!!!

[MMMM]

Mickey is almost 7 months old and still hates to be groomed. I started brushing him daily with a soft brush when he was a baby, and now I use a comb, a stiffer wire brush, and Johnsons Hair Detangler (for kids). He runs away when I start his bath water, which I do once a week. When he sees the comb or brush he darts away like he is playing. I can't even catch him! When I do finally catch him, he bites so much I have to wear gloves. I always give him a treat at the end of the bath and/or brushing, and I just don't know what else to do. I took him to a Petsmart groomer once at 4 1/2 months. They said he was so matted that they had to almost shave him. It was horrible! I swore I would never let that happen again, but he is getting some mats again now. I've tried different shampoos and products people have mentioned on this forum, but still it seems that every grooming session (which lasts about two minutes!) ends with me frustrated and mad. Do you have any suggestions?

[megan_kat22]

a stiff wire brush will hurt him (yorkies dont have undercoats which is what that is made for), making him not like being brushed. use a plastic tipped brush so he is more comfy. just catch him before you even have the brush and talk all sweet and continue when you brush him. if he gets agitated, just hold him still for a minute and talk to him, go slowly so he understands its ok

[Kathryn_V]

I have a great suggestion for you!!!! And it will FIX Your Problems!!!

First off, you need a brush that wont hurt your baby's skin!! Get a Chris Christensen Brush!!!! This small change alone will make a MAJOR difference!!!!!

Second.. Get some Ice on Ice!!! If you want to comb out the serious matts.. then this stuff is your friend!!! If its really bad... Cut them!!! Don't make an enemy out of your dog over a few strands of hair!!!

And last.... After you get baby all brushed out.... Brush daily!! Or at least every other day to keep the coat tangle free if its long!!! This will save you endless hours of de-matting!! and save your baby lots of pain and suffering!!!! And if you don't already know... always brush out 100% before a bath... a bath will only make knots tighten!!!

I SWEAR... A CC Brush will make a huge difference!!! it will convert your Baby from a brush shy dog to a brush time begger!! You'll whip that brush out and he'll get excited!!! It feels good on their skin!!!! But only if you keep up on it!!!! Tangles never feel good! But the pins are awesome!!!


Keep us posted!!!

[Yorkease]

I agree with the others, lose the wire brush. LOL!

I just use a pin cushion ball tip small brush. (I bet the CC works great, I just don't have one.) I also use ThermaSilk Leave-in Conditioning Spray, the tangles slide right out. It also might help to kinda scratch his back after you brush, you know-run your fingernails down his back where you just brushed. And stop every once in a while to kiss him and tell him he's doing great. It also helps to NOT work so long in one area, they tend to get sore if you work on a tangle for too long. If you get frustrated, take a break and then try again. Sonny still snaps at me when I pick him up for a bath. He just snaps once and then it's over.
Make sure your water is not to hot or too cold. My water got too hot once and I almost scalded the poor baby. I always keep my hand in the area of the spray to check.

I don't mean to be nosey but do you bath him in a tub with running water or a sink with a sprayer. Some yorkies are afraid of the sound of running water when they are in a tub? I hope some of this helps. Good luck.

[MMMM]

Can you tell me where I can get a Chris Christensen brush? Do they have them at Petsmart? What about the Ice on Ice?
Someone asked about how I bathe Mickey. I use a utility sink and just fill it with a few inches of water. I don't leave the water running while he is in there.
Thank you for the suggestions. If anyone has any more, I'm open to suggestions!

[js590]

You have received great advice already concerning the brush. I use a small plastic child's brush. And yes, brush daily. Expecially with long hair. Or keep the hair short.

I know pet owners do it all the time and I don't say this to offend anyone but, do you need to bathe your yorkie every week? They don't really need to be bathed so often unless they are dirty or spend alot of time outside getting dirty. Usually yorkies are inside dogs and live a very pampered lifestyle. I remember reading (this was a while ago) that yorkies need to be bathed about every 6 months. I bathe or have my baby groomed a little more often because she sleeps with us. But I have never bathed her weekly.

[doortego]

The Chris Christensen web site is www.chrissystems.com. Lisa is very helpful to recommend what you need for your dog and shipping is super fast. I ordered a brush one day & received it the next and LittleBit and I just love the brush. We got the new brass in the toy size but most of the posts on here have recommended the gold series. I'm sure they are all good. Good luck to you.
Donna

[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by Kathryn_V

I have a great suggestion for you!!!! And it will FIX Your Problems!!!

First off, you need a brush that wont hurt your baby's skin!! Get a Chris Christensen Brush!!!! This small change alone will make a MAJOR difference!!!!!

Second.. Get some Ice on Ice!!! If you want to comb out the serious matts.. then this stuff is your friend!!! If its really bad... Cut them!!! Don't make an enemy out of your dog over a few strands of hair!!!

And last.... After you get baby all brushed out.... Brush daily!! Or at least every other day to keep the coat tangle free if its long!!! This will save you endless hours of de-matting!! and save your baby lots of pain and suffering!!!! And if you don't already know... always brush out 100% before a bath... a bath will only make knots tighten!!!

I SWEAR... A CC Brush will make a huge difference!!! it will convert your Baby from a brush shy dog to a brush time begger!! You'll whip that brush out and he'll get excited!!! It feels good on their skin!!!! But only if you keep up on it!!!! Tangles never feel good! But the pins are awesome!!!


Keep us posted!!!

I disagree on brushing before the bath. You should never brush a yorkie dry, always make the hair damp. And using a good conditioner will help get the tangles out. If they are tight matts, coat with conditioner and then comb or brush.

if you are getting matts you need to brush more often, but dampen with a spray bottle first.. Have you tried Cowboy Magic?

Also I made my own grooming arm, and it has made a huge difference. They behave much better when I have them in the noose than they do without it.

[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by js590

You have received great advice already concerning the brush. I use a small plastic child's brush. And yes, brush daily. Expecially with long hair. Or keep the hair short.

I know pet owners do it all the time and I don't say this to offend anyone but, do you need to bathe your yorkie every week? They don't really need to be bathed so often unless they are dirty or spend alot of time outside getting dirty. Usually yorkies are inside dogs and live a very pampered lifestyle. I remember reading (this was a while ago) that yorkies need to be bathed about every 6 months. I bathe or have my baby groomed a little more often because she sleeps with us. But I have never bathed her weekly.

Not sure where you read that. Everything I've read on and off this site, by yorkie experts say once a week, or every two weeks. Mine would look pretty oily after 6 months.

[Dan & Corinne]

There's no way I could go even 2 weeks without a bath!

Jewel was the same way, she would fight and fight every time I groomed her except on her head or if she was being blow dried.

I feel your frustration!

I've grown up with poodles and Jewel was my second Yorkie but I never had a dog that fought grooming as much as she did. She actually had me in tears a few times. Needless to say, I did a lot of tangle clipping...

I have no advise for you since I never was able to change her behavior.

[js590]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

Not sure where you read that. Everything I've read on and off this site, by yorkie experts say once a week, or every two weeks. Mine would look pretty oily after 6 months.

It may have been a yorkie book. My yorkie never got oily hair. If you can't do 6 months ( I understand 6 months is long time), you can first try once a month. Brush the hair daily, brush the teeth daily, bathe, clean the ears and trim the nails monthly.

[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by js590

It may have been a yorkie book. My yorkie never got oily hair. If you can't do 6 months ( I understand 6 months is long time), you can first try once a month. Brush the hair daily, brush the teeth daily, bathe, clean the ears and trim the nails monthly.

My yorkie book said weekly but I suppose different people have different ideas. I just look forward to their weekly bath. They always look and smell so nice afterwards. I also feel that the more frequent you do it the sooner they will get used to it. JMO

[mrs. chris]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

I disagree on brushing before the bath. You should never brush a yorkie dry, always make the hair damp. And using a good conditioner will help get the tangles out. If they are tight matts, coat with conditioner and then comb or brush.

if you are getting matts you need to brush more often, but dampen with a spray bottle first.. Have you tried Cowboy Magic?

Also I made my own grooming arm, and it has made a huge difference. They behave much better when I have them in the noose than they do without it.

How did you make your own grooming arm? I have more than one dog and it seems like i need 6 pairs of hands during grooming time!!!And the daughters say they want to help but conveniently aren't around when i need them...it's like they have "chore" radar!!!

[MMMM]

Thanks for the advice. I will order the CC brush. Is Cowboy Magic a shampoo, conditioner, or detangler? I'm willing to try anything, although I feel like I spend an absolute fortune trying products!
Mickey really needs a bath once a week. He starts smelling "doggie," and I don't like that because he sleeps with us. He never goes outside without me, but I do take him for lots of walks. He is such a BOY, and he loves to get near or in anything he can find that is smelly. Even with the spray deodorizers, there is no way I could let him go for 6 months or even ONE month between baths.
I am really interested in the arm or sling thing someone mentioned. What is it? How do you make it?
Thanks!!!!

[MMMM]

It's me again--Mickey's mom. I just looked at the Chris Christenson website, and there are so many different products! Some of the brushes are $50! Ah-h-h-h-h-h-! I hope it's really good. Which one do you suggest I order? At that price, I don't want to make a mistake. Sometimes I wonder if I am the only person who doesn't have endless amounts of money to spend on my puppy, even though I love him all to pieces.