Grooming video or detailed book?

k9kreationz

k9kreationz

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I'm sure Barb has mentioned a book/video or someone has. But I can't seem to recall where. I know I've butchered Miko's hair when he was a pup (proof and more proof)

And now, here's a photo of Koji's hack job. Is it bad?

So, as you can see, I need some help. Granted, Koji used to look like this: fly hair fly

but still. Videos? Detailed books? Please help. Sheltie Talk didn't give enough advice, and well, I sooo need it.

What do you do with all that fluff BEHIND his ears? the soft fine hair that constantly gets matted? I cant' recall what I did with Miko. Some haircuts, he looked great. Others, I'm sure he wanted to hide.

thanks for any suggestions. I need them.
 
That could be the "Illustrated Guide to Sheltie Grooming" by Barb Ross. The Guide says with prick ears do not cut the fur in front of the ear. Woops, a little late...

Let me tell you though, even with the Guide its sooo easy to snip just that little more (esp around the ears).

But I actually dont think the fur looks bad, still has that fly away look.
 
*Caro said:
That could be the "Illustrated Guide to Sheltie Grooming" by Barb Ross.
Click to expand...

Yup, that's the one! Really well-illustrated and helpful.

Are you using thinning shears on the edges of his ears...? It's really, really hard to get those just right with straight-edge scissors. It doesn't look so bad, though - and hair grows back!

Behind the ears, we clean up the length (only the length) with thinning shears. To prevent matting, I'd recommend some talcum powder. Sprinkle a little into the backs of the ears, rub it in, and brush through with your slicker or comb. It absorbs the oils and helps keep the mats from starting.
 
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Thanks everyone. I'll check out the posts first, because free is better than buying. If that's not quite what I want, I"ll buy the book. :)

And oops, not too much from the front, huh? Yeah, thankfully it grows back. Watch now, I'll get the most awesomest photos at agility this weekend, and Koji will look weird. LOL.

I don't have thinning sheers but am thinking I should buy some, mostly because of his rear end bell bottom type pants. hahaha. And like you said, it'll be easier to cut around the ears. Sigh.

Now, is it me.....or does the fur around that area change? I recall Miko's being like Koji's is now, but I don't cut Miko's hair anymore (almost anywhere) and it's perfect. Not flyaway, not overly trimmed, but pretty clean. Does their hair go away from that ultra fine soft hair to a more coarse hair? Hmm.....I guess in a few more years, no cutting required for Koji.

I should trim the hair under his belly, it looks weird. Need thinning sheers. :)
 
Yep to both the book and the video....

They are both great resources. Also Sheltie Talk also speaks to how to groom to compensate for different Sheltie "conditions". I can't point you to any pages at the moment, because my books are packed.

For the ears:

With prick ears, you do not want to trim too much fur in front of the ear. Let that grow in a little. If the ears tip too much, then trim more in front to create that open space.

Similarly for prick ears, do not trim too much on the inside and outside edges of the "lower" part of the ear. You want the ear to blend, not stand out like Rabbit ears. If you soften the edges, it won't be quite as apparent.

Thinning shears are a must! And good quality! You'll use the thinning shears on the fluffy parts behind the ears, but with a very gentle touch. Again, with prick ears, you can trim the top, back part, but use the shears to blend the bottom back part into the ruff.

Trimming the body....don't trim the long guard hair that hangs over the belly except to shape a little. That's the Sheltie beauty! I had a groomer once who decided that his fur was too long and trimmed it back...it took forever to get his flowing coat again!

Sheltie pants? I've got a furminator, rake, and a variety of pin brushes. I use the pin brushes for everyday. But in fall/spring, I do bring out the "big guns", including the thinning shears as well. DO NOT strip the guard hairs! No matter what tool you use, use a line brushing technique. You are after the undercoat, not the topcoat!

Hope this helps!
 
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