HELP!!! Trying to grrom a shihtzu!?

Question

Ok, I got myself into a bit of a pickle...i am watching my friends dog for about 2 months, and I have never owned a long haired dog before. I didn't know I had to brush him everyday, now he has a few matts. He doesn't have very many, but I need to know the best way to get them out without cutting his hair. He has 2 on one of his ears that seems to be bothering him. I brushed him every tree days or so, but I am clueless. I don't want to hurt him by pulling on his skin. Do I wait until he is dry? or should I comb him wet? Should I just give it all up and take him to a groomer? We live in Germany and they can be pretty expensive here, and it can take a while to get an appointment. HELP!

Answer 1

You can do this. First of all, he needs to be dry when you groom him. Never bath a long haired dog if it has any mats because the water tightens them. For regular grooming (which needn't be every day , 1 - 2 a week is plenty), you need a pin brush. Make sure you brush small amounts of hair at a time and it's really important you get down to the skin. (ain brush doesn not hurt).

To get out mats, you need a slicker. This brush can cause slicker burn so you need to be gentle. If the mats aren't too bid, put your fingers under the mat and tease it out with the slicker. The brush will be running over your fingers and not scratching the dog. If the mat is too big, slit it lengthwise with scissors so you can tackle a section at a time. By cutting the hair lengthwise you won't leave any holes in the dog's coat.

It's really not too complicated, you'll figure it out as you do it. Just take your time and be gentle with the slicker and your friend's dog will soon look good as ever. (Behind the ears and in the elbows are the worse places for matting.) Good Luck!

Answer 2

Sometimes a groomer will show you how to use a mat splitter to break up the mat and comb it out especially if their shop is in a pet store where they sell mat splitters. Otherwise, i think your best bet is a groomer. As long as you are getting the dog groomed, they could give you some pointers on preventing mats, like daily brushing, what to brush with, how to bathe the dog in case you will be dog sitting him in the future.
Bathing can often cause matting or worsen it if you don't know how to bathe the dog to prevent matting.

Answer 3

It's like brushing your own hair... if there are matts start from the bottom up. Shithtzu's are a total pain when it comes to grooming...but it's not impossible. Just do a section at a time....take a break then go at it again...all else fails...call the groomer!

Answer 4

If you hold the dog still and cut into the matt then brush it should come out and you don't have to give him a complete hair cut. When you cut into it cut straight in and about four different spots

Answer 5

ok. Do you've time and money to take this pup to pup preparation for substantial socialisation? Do you've time to coach it? Calling it a shorkie (it really is ridiculous, such names are given by irresponsible breeders who breed their dogs to create extra mutts and bump up the cost) even though it shows how a lot you study dogs truly. A canines is for life. no longer a lovable kit of exciting for a 12 months. It cant have run of the abode and no discipline or structure. its a canines. dogs descend from wolves. wolves stay in packs. both favor %. leaders. human beings get rid of their dogs after the pup months because its 'badly behaved' properly, thats the proprietors fault no longer the dogs. Any canines will be properly behaved. Its all the way down to the owner.

Answer 6

I have (3) shih- tzu ,
gold and white , and i love them to bits

I found it quite dificult ,to keep thier long coats from matting .
They have a strong overcoat and a soft wooly undercoat ,
so they are prone to matt

I always brushed them , before i washed thier coats

but i had to keep brushing them daily
To keep thier coats in good order

when i came home ,from an extended stay in hospital,
( my husband took charge of them , while i was away, bless him)

I was greeted with 3 delighted ,well fed,
and totaly matted babies !!

So i had no option, but to go to a good ( but kind ) groomer .
she sheared , all their coats off ,leaving ,
fluffy tails and faces beautifully sculpted

They looked like, a small flock of sheep at first !!!! LOL!
they were much happier, with short coats
( and had to endure, far less brushing )

all they need now, is a light trim ,every 3 months or so .
To keep them pretty .

If you are caring for a friends dog , she may be upset or delighted, with her changed dog !!!
you will know her reaction better than i do .

If you are in contact with your friend, it may be a good idea to discuss this with her before hand .

You are in no way to blame ,

Shih-Tzu are extreamly. hard coats to keep to show standard .
For this ,you need endless time and
an expert to show you how !

let us know how you get on
best wishes

>^,,^<


Ps.
you can ,very carefully tease out smallish mats ,
if they are too large, they will need ,to be carefully cut off .

Answer 7

Since you are inexperienced with long haired dogs I would take him to a groomer. You don't want to risk hurting the dog while trying to get the knots out.

Answer 8

OMG!!!!!!!!

COMB FIRST!!!! COMB not brush!
NEVER wash a matted dog or you'll learn -first hand- how FELT is made!!!!!

Betcha a DOLLAR it's got LOTZ more than you think!! FEET! ARMPITS,CROTCH.....everywhere...

MMwwaahahahaha.....