Additional Information on Grooming
Most people are not master groomers, nor do they want to do things like clean the hair out of their dogs ears, or clip the hair between their pads on their feet. THAT IS FINE. What I want you to take from this video is keeping the top third of your dogs ears trimmed. When you leave the hair long- your Yorkie looks like they have 2 foot long ears. Keeping them shaved at the tips give a professional, finished look.
Another aspect of this video I want you to take away- is using a finishing comb around your dogs eyes. Many puppies and dogs get "matter" around their eyes. Combing it out prevents any issues that are caused from buildup.
This groomer demonstrates how to put a topknot (ponytail) in your Yorkie. It does not have to be professional. But most people like to have their dogs hair pulled up with a bow. It is important to make sure you remove this rubber band and brush the hair every 1-2 days or it will get matts under it and perhaps cause a sore on your dogs head.
I also bath my dogs every week and trim their nails. I do not use a file. But I do clip them when I bathe them. Cleaning/brushing your dogs teeth would be great to incorporate into your bath routine.
I want to emphasize a few things:
MAKE SURE YOUR WATER IS TESTED ON YOUR FOREARM before spraying your dog. You don't want water to hot or too cold.
Never brush a dry coat- spritz it with a mixture of 8 oz water, cap of moroccon oil, and a cap full of conditioner.
DO NOT GET WATER IN YOUR DOGS NOSE. This will make them choke, cough- and then promotes a bad experience.
Use only tearless shampoo around your dogs eyes. I always wash around their eyes and nose- but I am very careful when I rinse that area. Absolutely no soap in nose- that is a horrible feeling for us- imagine your dog!
Brush your dog before bathing. If you try to bathe a dog that has matts without first brushing- it will make the matts tighter. A product to help get matts out- is
https://vellus.com/product/satin-cream/
ONLY USE A QUARTER SIZE dollop . I only use it on matted areas or dogs in long coat (on the ends).
I try and use quality shampoos on my dogs. Products like
https://vellus.com/product/vellus-show-shampoo-concentrate/
https://vellus.com/product/vellus-show-conditioning-concentrate/ ( LOVE THIS)
https://biogroom.com/dog-products/shampoos/econo-groom/ (tearless and lasts FOREVER)
https://chrischristensen.com/chris-christensen-day-to-day-shampoo/ (anything from Chris Christensen is wonderful)
Lastly - there are products that distract your dog so you can bathe them. Here is one of those products:
I have never tried it- but I am always looking at new things if I have a puppy/dog that is not fond of baths. When you get one of my puppies- know that they get a bath often after about 5 weeks old. They will be used to having a bath and trimming of ears and butt.
Our little Lana with a topknot and bathed