A Little Grooming Guidance in Philadelphia
...Until now. Rather unexpectedly, while in the process of purchasing a house, a rescue list that my mother belongs to made a posting about an OES boy saved from a puppymill in Missouri. She knows how much I love them, and also how adamant I am about rescuing dogs that desperately need good homes thanks to my upbringing, and expressed interest. So, with very little warning, it seems I suddenly have a bobtail in my life!  He's got to go through a few health checks, but will be coming up to Pennsylvania some time in the next few weeks. I've read all the wonderful essays available on line-grooming and an ear cleaning, including the head-plucking process over tweezers (thank you so much, Carl!!  ) but still find myself very, very nervous about doing any of this myself. Since he's probably going to need to be shaved down - I'm guessing he's going to be one big pile of mats, coming out of a puppymill - I probably have a little bit of time to learn before there's really much to comb. Is there anyone in the greater Philadelphia area who might be willing to give me a demonstration with their own dog? (After the hurricane has passed, obviously, and I can most definitely come to you!) I plan on asking the groomers for some guidance, too, but I feel like a loving bobtail mom or dad is probably going to know a lot more breed-specific tips and tricks than someone who deals with any and every breed on a daily basis. If not, is there anywhere else you guys would recommend looking for information? Any other special tricks or secrets you can suggest? My main concern is going to be keeping him as calm as possible being that because this guy is 1.5-2 years old, he's probably NEVER even SEEN a grooming table before. |
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| Don't really have a lot of advice but think it's wonderful that this guy is coming into your life. |
| You might ask the rescue if he's going to need to be groomed upon arrival to you or whether it will already have been done before he travels. Sometimes these great dogs are so gross due to neglect that they need to be shaved down shortly after being taken in to rescue. Other times, they really aren't so bad. Hoping someone nearby will help show you how it's done. Congratulations on your new boy and thanks for giving a homeless OES a great home. We will of course want to see some pictures of your new baby!  |
| I don't live near you so can't show you anything but wanted to offer words of encouragement. We got our very first sheepie nearly two years ago and are managing to keep Mady in full coat. We did get some excellent help from Carl and from Mady's breeder, Amber. You can do this!! You will make mistakes but if you make sure to keep time in your schedule weekly to keep things up, you will be fine. And like others say, if it all goes disastrously, it is just hair, it will grow back! Carl, maybe we should make a line grooming video! You could use Mady as your model.... |
| One thing, since your dog probably hasn't been groomed before, and he will be shaved, he wont really need grooming, but it will be an excellent time to get him comfortable with grooming! Spend a lot of time with a brush going over him, and lying him down, manipulating him, give him treats as you go to make it a really good experience for him. I'm sure that will make it a lot easier when he gets to the point where he does need regular grooming. |
| Billy was a rescue, although he had been clipped off due to his hurrendous state, he had then been in kennels for sometime and smelt. Bathing him was hurendous (and i am a groomer!) He was terrified, no chance of getting a dryer near him. I couldnt brush him either. Over time grooming little and often and giving lots of verbal rewards, hugs and treats he started to enjoy it, he got clipped a few times at this point but it didnt matter. My biggest tip would be calm brings calm! It took 6 months before i could even get a hand dryer near him on low! Brush what you can when you can. I must of done something right as now i ask if he wants a brush he runs in the grooming room, paws on the table and barks till i get there! Be patient with your new dog, the chances are that if its from a puppy mill its never seen anything and has no mannners. Billy was found in a tiny brick yard with a big chain round his neck, no bed or shelter, covered in poo and badly underweight. All he knew was to look up at where the noises were coming from and pace. Wow this was a hard habbit to break and took every bit of patience i had. They do get over the past but i dont think they forget. For some reason billy hates land rovers, barks and jumps up at them, no idea why he doesnt do it to. any other car! Good luck with your new dog, be patient and you will have the most lovable dog you can ever imagine and remember were all here for you x |
| Pennsylvannia is a big state. What end or what city? I'm sure there are sheepie people near you. If not here then on OES-L. What a wonderful surprise for you! Initially, just getting to know one another is important. Learning to trust touch, so make hand stroking high priority, then move onto a baby brush....something soft. Make sure the session is a love fest between you. First time just a few minutes then gradually increase time. If shaved, you have many weeks to get him/her used to your hands before grooming is critical. Play with the toes, ears, remove eye boogers, wipe teeth.....everything to teach him to love all the attention. |
| Bella was so matted when she was rescued that she needed to be shaved and she smelled terrible. My sister and I started shaving her and after two hours had only managed to free up her neck area and around her ears. She went to the vets the next day, who has a groomer there and after two hours they decided to sedate her because the mats and stress was starting to take their toll on her. I think that she was so relieved to have all that hair, smell and mats off that she loved the body massages she got over the next few days. We slowly added a brush to these sessions and she has rarely had a stink about her regular brushing now. It is only an issue for her paws if I miss a week and she gets a little mat between the toes. I think once all the hair is off and you start to slowly add in the brush when the coat is very very short it may be easier it they think of it as massage and pamper time. you will have months to slowly work up to the line brushing as the hair slowly grows back. PS I simply went by Carl's picks and they are great and Bella has only gone to the groomers once since I do all the baths and trims thanks to Carl |
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