Grooming, tears, etc..

[Badgley "Monster" Kopel]

Hi doodle friends! I've noticed Badgley has a lot of tears. She is three months and it could be from teething. I wanted to know, what is the best way to clean them? I don't care about staining, so I'm not looking for a solution that tackles the staining. I just want the hair around her eyes to be clean. The hair seems to get a little crusty, I can pick out the boogers after a couple days but if they're fresh it's a little more difficult as they're sticky and gooey. I try wiping the are with a damp cloth but it really doesn't do too much. The only that really helps is when she takes a bath.. Is there anything out there that would be quick and easy? Speaking of baths, how often is it recommended to bathe a puppy? Sometime we have to clean her rear end because she backed into her mess and the only way to get it out is a bath. All suggestions are welcome!!! :) 

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

It's normal to have to remove a little bit of crusty stuff from the eyes, usually in the morning but if it's sticky and gooey there may be an infection there. If it's normal just use warm water on a clean cloth and wash the eyes with that, it should remove everything. Use a clean cloth for each eye separately. As far as bathing goes just do it as often as you need to. I know there are several opinions on this but for me whose boys sleep up close in my bed, they get a bath every couple of weeks and lots of grooming in between. Baby wipes are useful for paws and bottoms in between.

[Badgley "Monster" Kopel]

Hmm.. It is sticky and gooey and is much more persistent than just the mornings. Perhaps it is an infection. We're going to see the vet on Monday and will ask him to take a look. Thanks for the response! 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Eye goop I have no suggestions for other than what you are already doing and talking to the vet. As for bathing, Im with Nicky on this, mine are in my bed and on our furniture, so they are bathed as often as I feel they are dirty enough to warrant it. In Bella's case since we are dealing with some itchy skin issues, it;s about once a week. For Murphy, it's about every two weeks in the winter, and less in the summer because he is in the pool several times a day then. So the right answer is however much you feel they need it and for whatever reason you feel is necessary. You will see where some only bathe a few times a year. Not sure why, But whatever works for their dogs is great.

[Gem's Jewel]

Is some of her hair going into her eyes? I had the hair around Jewels eyes trimmed because she had some growing that went into her eyes and caused some of this. Once trimmed it was just fine. I also had her get a puppy cut at the groomers which takes care of the private parts and helped with keeping the areas clean. She is adorable by the way!

[Lisa V.O.]

My puppy has eye crust and by her nose. This morning the whites of her one eye in the inner corner is VERY red. I assume this is not normal and will be taking her to the vet on Tuesday. I think some of her hair is going into her eye, but shouldn't make it this red.

[Badgley "Monster" Kopel]

What bathing products do you use, Nicky, Riley, and Boris? We've been using the Burt's Bees puppy shampoo, but not sure if there is something better out there. Also, do you use a conditioner? I'm noticing Badgley's hair is beginning to get a little matted. Thanks :) 

[Badgley "Monster" Kopel]

It's been a few months now and I must say the tears have gotten A LOT better! Reason being --- groomer! She was too young to go back in March. Once we started taking her in for grooming, and they were able to trim the hair around her eyes, there's been a significant difference. She still gets tears but nothing to that extent. It was just hair bothering her little eyes!