Grooming for newbies!

by Shaliquinn
(Salem, OR, USA)

Ok there are a few questions I have.

First my Great Pyr is 12 weeks old and a very happy healthy pup!

He ADORES the brush I bring it out and he sits on my feet please mom please brush me! I have been brushing him between 2-7 times a day just because I enjoy it as much as he does!

I red somewhere that you can hurt their undercoat if you brush them too much with a specific brush.

(Using a pin brush at the moment for daily brushing not the overhaul of fluff I know is coming)

Can I OVER brush him if he likes it?! I know this might be a ridiculous question, but honestly Id rather be safe than sorry!

This morning while trimming his paw pads I found out he is SUPER ticklish! (any way to reduce this a bit to make the trim a little easier?) He doesn't mind me playing with them, rubbing them etc, so long as I don't tickle them by a trim we made it through but its hard to sit still if it tickles!

Now I have googled, youtubed etc and I cant find an answer. How do I trim his butt?! Really anyone just have a good sketch of the cut lines I would need as I am a visual learner..

I don't want to have a shaved bum sticking out for all the world to see and looking so tacky! But I also don't want dingleberries!

I have seen diagrams for this dog and that dog but the Pyr seems to have a very specific shape to their rear unlike most of the others I can find information on.

Thank you!

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Dec 08, 2015
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Grooming
by: Donna

A slicker brush and comb are the basic tools you need. You can get a shedding tool (rake) for the two molts a year. NEVER shave a Pyr. They have lovely natural coats. and, more importantly, Pyrs need their coat to stay cool in summer and warm in winter.

If you are grooming him 2-7 times a day, chances are you are not doing a thorough groom but a brush over with the slicker brush. His skin would be bleeding, otherwise and he'd run from you.

First you brush over the whole dog with the slicker brush getting out any knots. Then, you take a comb and start wherever you want. Doing bits at a time from the root and pulling up in quick strokes so when the hair pulls, it's a quick pull and not a long drawn out pull which hurts more.

In doing the underbelly, where they are more sensitive, hold the coat by the root so that when you pull, you don't pull the skin out. Then, it becomes an unpleasant experience for your dog.

Your dog does not have a full coat and will not until he is two. You are very right in starting the grooming process, now.

Do not trim the Pyr's coat at all. There is no need for it. They have beautiful natural coats.

Trim the hair in their pads (the pup won't have much right now) with hair clippers. May as well get pup used to them, now. Have someone hold pup and feed them treats while you touch them with the clippers, then gradually turn the clippers on, and then finally, trim inside the pads.

I don't know what dingleberries are but never shave their bum, never. Leave them with all their coat except their pad hair. Also, you can trim their hairy feet on top. Again, your pup won't have those, yet.

If you are referring to dingleberries as testicles, you will be having him neutered at about a year old, anyways, plus, you do not shave his bum or any part of the Pyr, at all, ever.

Make sure to trim his nails regularly and his dew claws (never remove dew claws but keep them trimmed). Here is a great video on trimming nails. I don't think your Pyr is like this but it will show you how to have someone help you when trimming nails if he doesn't like it.

http://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/counterconditioning-for-toenail-trim-aggression

Clean his ears regularly with 1:1 organic vinegar and water.

I would suggest you take a basic grooming course at a local college or grooming studio. You'll be glad you did.

Enjoy grooming!

Dec 08, 2015
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seriously?!
by: Anonymous

First of all...yes, you ARE overdoing it! And please ditch the brush (so called) you are currently using. Their skin is too tender for so much 'CARE", and you are creating a future of skin problems for your dog. "Dinglberries"?? Seriuosly? If he does have these a) check the quality of his feed as poor food causes loose stool, b) has he been wormed yet, c) Pyrs are never shaved anywhere on their bodies (to do so would be abusive) and d) leave his feet alone other than to keep the nails trimmed (on a puppy you would just need to carefully nip the sharp points). When he moults, grooming 2-7 times/day would still be excessive. If you cannot control your desire to comb, shave and trim, set up shop. There are tons of people out there with dogs who do need your energy and care.

Jan 19, 2016
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Thank You!
by: Shaliquinn

Got it all sorted out!
Thank you for the tips!

I sit and brush him with a pin brush a few times a day, so it is easy on his soft skin. :)

He seems to adore it, and bonus he doesn't get tangles because its so often, but this isn't like I'm digging out fur, this is mostly to clean out a a little shedding and 90% brush me mom please..as the brush is dropped in my lap by my pup.

Since he is a family dog who spends a good deal of time inside this winter, aside from a little mud, and lots of soggy walks he loves, we decided to trim his paw pads to keep mud outside of the house and this reduces bathing needs as well.

We also left his fluff around his bum alone ;) I've not noticed anything sticking in the fur either.

His vet says he is in great shape too.

I have had him blowing his puppy coat now, it a mess but since he loves it indoors with the family .. and the piles of fur he kindly leave in clumps that easily can be picked up several times a day... But BUT no tangles just a little mess and great skin!

Jul 04, 2016
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Very Cute
by: Anonymous

This is a very nice and interesting information that you have provided.

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