Grooming my pup.

[Meganfoz]

Dougal is now 6 months old and although he gets a full daily brush his hair is becoming to much to manage and with winter fast approaching I've been thinking maybes it's time to have him cut short :(. I have spoke to a few groomers who have recommended not getting him cut as he still has his puppy fur and it could damage his adult coat. I have also spoke to a few who says that is rubbish and they need to be groomed as early as possible or they will end up matted.

Does anyone know which is right ???

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Exactly! I love the scruffy, bed head, Muppet look. To me, it is part of her personality/ demeanor. I' rep gotten loads of compliments and " can I have the number of your groomer" comments, so I figure I can't be doing THAT bad of a job! :p

[Christy&Riley]

Yes, the messy look does draw lots of compliments.I think Riley looks the cutest in the morning. Hair all messed up with sleepy eyes...that is when you can see her eyes. I swear her hair grows an inch a week. I'm constantly working on something whether it be trimming eyes, paws, warding off mattes, etc.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Agreed.....and just another reason for us to groom ourselves. Not a week goes by that I 'm not trimming, clipping something!

[Christy&Riley]

Which also gets expensive to hire that out!
I'm convinced Riley would be one big walking matte if my husband was responsible for grooming as I doubt it would ever get done. LOL

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Ro, haha, you mean not a day?

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

LOL...yup..,that's probably closer! ;)

[Meganfoz]

I've trimmed his face a few times after a 30 minute wrestle to the floor. He's definitely not a fan of the grooming part of life. Poor thing. I think I'll leave it to the professionals for now until he's a little calmer and used to the scissors. Ill brave it one day! Could end up in disaster but ill give it a shot when he's a little older.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

If you put him up on something like a counter or table it makes the grooming (brushing) process much easier than if you are trying to do it on your lap or the floor.  Sometimes they seem to behave more if they are up on a table.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Now would be the time to get him use to you handling him/grooming him.  I agree with putting him up on the counter....start slow, with short grooming periods and work up.  Have lots of treats on hand, to make it a more pleasant experience..

[Christy&Riley]

Riley hated to be brushed at 6 months. It took months of short sessions before she finally stopped fighting it. Now she kind of likes it until I start working on mattes which is understandable. She even lets me wipe out her ears now which was also a battle before. I'm sure he'll settle down after some time.

[Meganfoz]

He has started to settle slightly. Depends if I can catch him when he's tired. I've tried him on a table but that's not much better and makes it harder to reach the awkward parts like armpits and belly where he pee's on himself (he hasn't got a great aim yet)

[Susan & Randy's Kate]

I am surprised a groomer would say it would damage his coat since it grows from the roots.  I say trim now and before long it will be W------.