How Do You Get Your Sheltie Groomed?

[Tagg]

I've always brushed the dog out before the bath using a grooming spray diluted with water and then bathed. I have a large professional dryer that I set on warm and light stream to blow dry completely while arranging the coat. All trimming of feet etc, including nail trim is done before the bath. I also give them a special treat before I lift them off the table so that they equate the table with something good. I used to give it once I was finished and had lifted them onto the floor - silly me - and the dogs were always fussy for the last few minutes of grooming. They had figured out that once they were off the table they got a treat.

[adellelauren]

Well her coat is longer but not to long. I do see she needs under her feet done. Also I was wondering at what age do they have a full coat. Her dad's was very long, thick, and fluffy. But her mom's wasn't.

[Emmasmom]

A breeder friend who grooms told me to line brush while the dog is wet from shampooing and again when you put on the conditioner. This is what she does and finds it works well. I have yet to find the time to try it.

[mbfrench]

Originally Posted by Emmasmom

A breeder friend who grooms told me to line brush while the dog is wet from shampooing and again when you put on the conditioner. This is what she does and finds it works well. I have yet to find the time to try it.

Although her dogs coats are beautiful,I cannot even see how one could take the time to do this. I also read her description when it was on FB,but gosh I tried doing it with Trapp.
The time it would take to do him,let alone any dog,they would be shriveled prunes by the time you got done.

Line brush,as much as you can. As they say,that undercoat will come out eventually.Its gonna do it,when its good and ready. (I mean the full blown all over the house blowing coat).
As many times as I line brush Trapp,and many have seen him,he still to this day,nor Jasper has blown a coat.
They may have on a smaller scale lost coat in thier tails,ruffs etc,but not a full body blowing.

[BarbV]

Originally Posted by Tagg

I've always brushed the dog out before the bath using a grooming spray diluted with water and then bathed. I have a large professional dryer that I set on warm and light stream to blow dry completely while arranging the coat. All trimming of feet etc, including nail trim is done before the bath. I also give them a special treat before I lift them off the table so that they equate the table with something good. I used to give it once I was finished and had lifted them onto the floor - silly me - and the dogs were always fussy for the last few minutes of grooming. They had figured out that once they were off the table they got a treat.

Yes, this would make sense. Mist and brush out, then bath and brush again.

I do recommend trimming after the bath though. Oils are removed at this point and you'll find it easier to get the hair to stand up to trim around the feet.

That being said, I also trim between bathes, so sometimes I'll spray diluted leave in shampoo first and rub in.

And treats are obligatory! My dogs get them as soon as they settle in, during and after!

[Ann]

Originally Posted by BarbV

I do recommend trimming after the bath though. Oils are removed at this point and you'll find it easier to get the hair to stand up to trim around the feet.

I have heard that it's best to trim after bathing also, because the oils in the fur dull the scissor blades especially with thinning shears. I admit that I do trim before though. I like to let the dog relax after it's been brushed, bathed and dried. Even with treats, that's usually their max tolerance point!

The next day I brush them again and fine-tune the trimming. There are always spots I've missed!

[Lightplum]

Yes you are supposed to trim them clean as they say it dulls the scissors...now I prefer to trim them dirty as I can see better what needs to be trimmed and where...and than wash them and wait a day or two and than touch up where Ive missed...I tried doing to clean trim and about a week out Ive found ive done a horrible trim job..much better job dirty

[BarbV]

Well, its a little like your hairdresser, I guess. When I get my hair highlighted, she prefers that I don't wash my hair first because she says its too slippery to work with.

So I can see that a little oil makes it easier. I tend to agree with you despite my previous post. Oily makes it stand up so you can see what needs to be trimmed. The flip side is that it can also lead to overtrimming. So if you're going to trim an unclean foot, go easy to start. wash the foot and then finish.

p.s. Just an afterthought.....both by dogs have very different feet. My groomer and I have finally figured out how to groom their feet to get the nice rounded look

- Bacca has big feet and evenly spaced toes. His feet look best when I pull the hair down between his toes and then trim underneath

- Indy has rabbit feet. If I use the same technique on him, he ends up with bony looking feet. For him the best technique is to lightly trim the tops and sides and underpads only. I no longer pull the hair down between his toes because it just makes his feet look like claws.

[mbfrench]

Originally Posted by BarbV

Well, its a little like your hairdresser, I guess. When I get my hair highlighted, she prefers that I don't wash my hair first because she says its too slippery to work with.

So I can see that a little oil makes it easier. I tend to agree with you despite my previous post. Oily makes it stand up so you can see what needs to be trimmed. The flip side is that it can also lead to overtrimming. So if you're going to trim an unclean foot, go easy to start. wash the foot and then finish.

p.s. Just an afterthought.....both by dogs have very different feet. My groomer and I have finally figured out how to groom their feet to get the nice rounded look

- Bacca has big feet and evenly spaced toes. His feet look best when I pull the hair down between his toes and then trim underneath

- Indy has rabbit feet. If I use the same technique on him, he ends up with bony looking feet. For him the best technique is to lightly trim the tops and sides and underpads only. I no longer pull the hair down between his toes because it just makes his feet look like claws.

I can relate to this.Jasper has such nice feet,and are beautiful when done.nice & round. Trapp's are shaped differently,and as you I tend to do them different as well.