Keeping dogs in 'wraps' - does it bother them?
 

I hope this isn't a sensitive discussion :embarasse.

Don't know how I ended up seeing this picture...think I was searching for grooming sprays, for in between shampooing. Anyway, saw a woman in the process of putting in wraps. The yorkie looked kinda miserable. It bothered me and made me wonder.

Doesn't it seem uncomfortable maybe?

Also made me wonder, wouldn't it also be interesting to show yorkies more closely in their natural state, without special interventions like wrapping etcetera?

Is it a silly question?

Exhibitors thoughts? And please don't take it the wrong way, I'm just curious and wondering :).

{ALSO -- my quest for a btwn-shampoo spray seems neverending; my most recent is Isle of Dog #63 and it's nothing special and the smell is way too much for me. Seems the only smells I do okay w/ are vanilla or coconut. Can Exhibitors recommend one, without feeling like I'm asking for too many ancient yorkie secrets :D?}

There are "wraps" and there are "wraps"...I wrapped my champions, but used a more liberal approach. I was not grooming them for the specials ring, so a good coat was good enough...to be a top dog, a good coat is not good enough.

Knowing the structure of the dog is important..you do not want a bit of hair from one part to mingle with a bit of hair from another and prevent free movement...ie..under the arms and back legs...too much from the hip and belly and the dog will feel a pulling with each move...you can use several large wraps as oppose to 5 dozen small ones when trying to achieve a title...

I know in some parts of the country a FAB coat is not needed to finish..but in other parts you are going against the best breeders and your dog must be able to compete with one dripping in coat...

I wrapped one male by gathering all his saddle hair in several pony tails along his back...he seemed to like it over the side wraps...like gathering your hair in a ponytail on top of your head..up and out.of the way when laying down.
Truthfully, I think most Yorkie endure these things we do to them...they have to be groomed all their life and adding wraps for a year or so is just another thing they accept when wraps are done well and correct.

Thank you so much! What a neat idea to use pony tails.

I suppose this is one more reason to have a good mentor - so that one can learn how to properly wrap.

Do you have a recommendation on btwn-shampoo sprays :scratchhe? (one without animal products, like Mink Sheen has?

The type of wraps you use is also a factor in them being comfortable to. Alot of people use deli wrappers or tissue paper. Some even use toilet tissue. Also you have to not make the tight against the skin to where it pulls the hair. I use different between bath sprays. sometimes Vellus sometimes pure paws, right now I am using Isle Of Dog silky coating, it is Jasmine and vanilla scented. Yes that is just one of the many reasons it is important to have a mentor.

I used to ask breeders if I could sit silently and watch them wrap their Yorkies after a show...they usually stayed around and groomed in the area...now I realize many have RV's...but I still see exhabitors wrapping in the grooming area. I probably have watched a few dozen wrap and then I would practice.

You have to remember I am retired and it has been over a year since I kept Marzipan in coat and that was after a very long break..all I ever used on my Yorkies is Coat Handlers...I like the fact the conditioner is water based and can be sprayed on and left in between wrapping/grooming...
I know there are dozens of products, but I found one that worked, I stopped looking...I was at a function with Betty Anne Durrers and a few people made the comment BEFORE how eager they were to "pick her brain"...they did not like that fact I was not up on all the lastest products...Betty Anna said..and I quote..."I have used the same products for years...why fix what is not broken."

The best wrappers I have used were diaper liners. You could buy them at Sears...they were blue and I cut them in proper strips for different areas...then they must have stopped making them...

I have used silk material and made some...too timing consuming, but wonderful on the hair...expensive too...only lasted a few weeks and I got sick of making them and washing by hand...deli wrap works fine..and not too tight as the other poster said is key...too loose or too tight is a problems...if you want to try no wraps...use booties...grew a few decent coats with only booties on them..but never a champion.

I haven't wrapped London's hair yet, but it's getting close to me needing to. I have used the soft bands to pull her hair up in ponytails before, and i've been banding her facials back for months. She doesn't seem to mind it and will lay down while I do it. I'm not at all worried about her being uncomfortable in wraps...but a little worried she might try to chew them off... Will probably just start with a few at a time until she's used to them and I know she won't mess with them.

I've seen Donna wrap Radar a couple times, and he was falling asleep standing up LOL so I don't think he minded being wrapped at all :p

I think keeping them wrapped actually gives them the freedom of still getting to be a dog...you don't have to worry as much about their coat getting dirty and breaking off since it is in wraps.

^^At the dog show I went to a couple of years ago, I saw several Yorkies falling asleep, standing up, while being wrapped. It is funny to see.

I suppose wraps really aren't any different than a topknot. During the winter, I band most of my boys' hair before putting on their jackets to keep their hair from getting too tangled. They don't seem to mind and they have full range of motion.

LOL...When I wrap Radar he does start falling asleep and I have to tap his sides to wake him up or he'll fall over LOL...Michele you saw me do that in LC LOL...You're right, it allows them to be dogs if wrapped correctly! I use the deli wraps and Radar lives in them and if he weren't in wraps to have his coat the length it is he couldn't go outside, sleep with me and I would be always bathing him and if I didn't wrap his mustache his hair would go down his throat. I'm not sure how Radar would act if he weren't in wraps! This way he only gets a bath once a week and sometimes every 2 weeks!

I like Purepaws, Vellus and I like Royal Crown products too for things...but I always use Coat handlers shampoos...

I have 3 here that I wrap and they all fall asleep while I'm wrapping them, they seem to really love it .When they see me going to the grooming room they are right there waiting for me to put them on the table. I think that they love the attention.

I have to agree with Michele in that wrapping them allows them to have a "normal" life. By this I mean that they can go out and play and be dogs, and not worry about all of that hair getting things caught in it or getting tangled,broken or dirty.

My Sebastien is literally dripping in coat now, his facial furnishings are almost to the floor. He loves to go out and run after his sister in the yard and run through puddles . He just loves to play. I get asked all the time when I walk him what the paper thingies are lol I don't know how many times I've had to explain them. One woman even asked me if they were bandages and if he had hurt himself...too funny !

I also agree with YorkieRose in that the way that you place them and the tightness has a lot to do with their comfort and ease of movement. I use deli wraps. I used to use plastic over paper ,but thankfully I don't need to anymore. The deli wraps are quicker and they last at least until they get wet

my husband calls them tea bags LOL...Radar has gone to the beach and yes in wraps! The wraps really keeps the coat cleaner and alot less stress if your dogs don't like baths because I dont' have to bath him as much. Grooming whether it be wrapping or just brushing is great bonding time for me and Radar. I still get a huge chuckle out of him when he's standing there and I'm not paying attention and he starts falling over it startles me LOL

The English call them "crackers"...

This has been a very interesting thread!!! I would love to see one of these beautiful show dogs in their wraps. I am trying to picture it in my mind and I am sure it is nothing like what my imagination is coming up with.:p

This is so funny! And really great to read :). Maybe it's like when someone plays with our hair, and it feels good...sorta makes your head tingle and you get really relaxed?

There are some yorkies that just don't like being in wraps and they try to pull them out. I have never wrapped a coat so I am just basing this on what I have been told by yorkie exhibitors. Those yorkies that don't like to be wrapped are usually just kept in oil. Also, wrapping jackets are sometimes used so the dogs can't pull out their wraps. Also, socks are put on their feet so they can't scratch and tear up their coats.

Here is an example of what the wrapping jackets look like:
Wrapping Jackets ~ Satin Lined Wrap Jackets for Yorkshire Terriers

Here isa photo of my boy in wraps, not a great one because it was taken off of a video, the other photo shows him with a jacket and socks on

I have kept Cali in a long flowing coat because I just think it is beautiful and I don't know why people buy long haired dogs and then constantly cut all of their hair off.

This is all so interesting and answers some questions I have had. My Cali was a show dog before I got her - breeder thought she might end up being too small. I can brush her all day and fool with her and she just lets me do all of it -- my friend has a Yorkie that you have to literally catch in order to brush her and she fights having her top knot done. My friend always asks me why Cali is so cooperative. Now I think I know (as side from the fact that she is sooooo perfect in all things), she had just simply been fooled with a lot with all of the show grooming and does not mind it.

Good reason to tell new Yorkie folks to start grooming their babies early on.

When I first got Cali my breeder (who only breeds to show dogs) turned me on the Coat Handler and although I have tried many others I like it and PEK the best.

Mine do not minds the wraps either. Intact I have to have two of mine in wraps or they would trip over their coats. I had just bathed my one girl and left her long coat down after blow drying her, since her coat was still a bit damp underneath. She was having a hard time on the sofa and playing, so I finished her blow dry and back up in wraps. She was so happy. She was acting just like a puppy and was playing around. She loves her wraps.

So True, Tina. Sebastien seems a lot happier in his wraps...it does make sense though seeing that they spend most of their time in wraps. It probably feels foreign to them to have all that hair hanging on them and dragging on the floor

I love the second picture...Beatrice is stealing the show! ;):)

Beatrice always steals the show Kristin LOL I had her to the vet last night and everybody was goggling over her, funny thing is she really doesn't like anybody but Denis and I. I have to warn people not to try to pat her because she might snap at them...what a DIVA !

Wrapsnnand My Boy
 

Well some of the wraps he loves, but not his topnot wraps or his moustaches!

He is very complacent when being wrapped, kindof like I think as resigned. But he loves his baths! He just adores getting wet and clean.

He doesnt' really like when I let the body wraps down and he tries to run and steps on his coat.... quelle heure! He really likes his body wrapped up.

But in terms of the question; no wraps don't hurt or interfere, in fact they let our dogs be dogs. Razzle does agility and obedience, and swims with his wraps on, does it take a toll on the coat.... well of course, but for me it is a toll I will live with; to see my boy happy hale and hearty enjoying all life has to offer.


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It looks miserable. I wish they would just show them with their hair flowing freely, clean, brushed. Why have them all wrapped up and protect the artificial length that would break off if not wrapped. Just let them show as they are - coats are good enough without protecting the ends. I can't stand to role my hair and haven't done it for years. Don't like anything tightish up against my scalp. Can't help but think the dogs would be happier showing with natural coats.

I do not start to wrap till their coats get to the floor. So it is all natural. The wrapping allows them the freedom and movement, so they do not get hurt, as well as continue to grow. I do trim it often too - just about an inch passed the floor. I had one girl, as I mentioned, that I let her be after her bath to air dry more after blow drying and she was tripping on her coat and almost fell when she jumped up on the sofa and tried to get up on her top pillow. I then realized I had to get her back into her wraps so she would not get injured. All of mine have their natural coats and need help to keep their hair out of their way to keep them safe and allow them to be just regular pets. It also helps to keep it cleaner, so it does not pick up dust or dirt off the floor/ground.

I wear my hair up in pony tails or clipped up - since it is out of my way, and I do not like short hair for me. I like it better when I can reall get my hair up off my neck - it's cooler than having short hair for me. Well, it is a lot like that for these babies. It allows them to stay cool and safe. :D

If we kept them "natural", do you think we shouldn't do topknots either and let their hair cover their face and eyes?

I just fully wrapped London for the first time today. So far they haven't bothered her at all. As soon as we were done, she got to go out in the backyard and run through the grass. Keeping her wrapped is going to enable her to go out and play and not get so dirty or get urine on the back of her coat and probably keep her from having to be bathed as often as we have been. Keeping them in wraps really does enable them to be a regular dog, without their long hair getting in their way. London can go outside without collecting leaves and whatever else in her coat.

I couldn't agree with you more Michele !

I would cut it. I don't like pulling that hair up into a topknot as that has got to be as uncomfortable as wraps. I trim Tibbe's long hair.