[lifewithnewdog]

I went to petco to try to get my dog groomed and they wouldn't do it because he was growling at them. He's a poodle mix (probably shih zoo).
We got him recently and he has very matted fur. We cut a little around his eyes so he can see better. He really needs a haircut.
Is it a bad idea to do it ourselves? We don't want to hurt him. He doesn't like strangers and honestly, I don't think we are going to be able to get him to any time soon even with having a trainer.

 

[jclark343]

He may need to see a vet and be put under sedation. Depending on how bad he is knotted it could be hurting him, which could be why he is so angry at people. He is in pain.

 

[Hannahspups]

I agree with the sedation suggestion! that way he won't be under stress as they're grooming him and he'll wake up feeling sooo much better

 

[tiffanyandteddy]

To answer your question, I don't think it's a bad idea for you to try it yourself. I brought Teddy to a groomer once, only wanted a trim around his face, ended up bringing home a shaved down dog. I was extremely pissed, since then I've been doing the grooming on my own. My boy's coat is very curly, so he knots easily. I brush him every other day and even then he somehow creates matts overnight. Yesterday it took me about an hour and a half to cut out all of the knots, luckily since his coat is so long it doesn't even look like he's missing hair in certain places lol.

After a groom whether you sedate him to get it professionally done or do it yourself, if you think he will get matted easily, I'd suggest Cowboy Magic or Mane and Tail detangler. I've heard very good things about them!

 

[DuckDodgers]

There's nothing wrong with trying yourself, depending on how bad the situation is. If it's really bad then I'd suggest going with other folks' idea of having him sedated and groomed by your vet. Probably have him clipped down very short to give you as much time as you can to work on his people problems. Hopefully you could work with him to get him to accept grooming when he needs it again.

If it's not TOO bad then you could probably get away with taking some clippers and doing it yourself, assuming he trusts you enough. But if it's too bad then the matts are probably very tight, and there may be skin problems underneath that would need addressing by a vet or competent groomer.

 

[LeapofFaith]

I agree with whatever gone has said already. If the matts are tight and seems like they are pulling, you definitely need to do something about it because they could be causing pain and/or can cause skin problems. If they are somewhat small, I would cut them out. I have a border collie whose fur around her back legs gets matted easily. There have been many times that I have had to cut out small matts.

Make sure you get the right equipment and maybe even look up some tutorials just so you have an idea. If you do decide to groom him yourself, find someone to help hold him still and give him lots of treats and praise! That way maybe he will start associating being groomed with treats and will be more willing to be groomed without struggling.

 

[Dawnben]

I went to petco to try to get my dog groomed and they wouldn't do it because he was growling at them. He's a poodle mix (probably shih zoo).
We got him recently and he has very matted fur. We cut a little around his eyes so he can see better. He really needs a haircut.
Is it a bad idea to do it ourselves? We don't want to hurt him. He doesn't like strangers and honestly, I don't think we are going to be able to get him to any time soon even with having a trainer.

Grooming is a commitment. My recommendation is get quality tools.
You will be using them for years so invest in good clippers. Oster has some great ones. Don't use those plastic combs that come with the cheep clippers. Get real blades. I used to use a #10 on the face and feet and a #7 skip tooth on the body. That will give you a puppy cut. Then you use scissors for the top of the head and ears if they are not matted.If they are matted clip down and start over. You will need a couple of blades because they get hot and can burn if you are not careful. Get a grooming book so you know what you are doing at least a little when you start. Go slow never be in a hurry when you clip.

 

[amaryllis]

I'd get him sedated and groomed, as well. Then you can work on his issues with the groomer (which may simply be that he's in pain, and will vanish with a grooming).

My dog has that longish, fine hair that matts if you look at it too hard, too. I brush him every day and would still be cutting out matts once a week or so. I've started using my own leave in conditioner on his high-matt areas (tail, britches, feathering behind the ears) every time he gets wet and that really seems to be helping.

 

[cos]

Sedation is an option, is personally rather just shave him bald myself and start over though. If he's badly matted, as has already been stated - he could be in pain.

Shaving in a calm environment by someone who he trusts without having to be put under GA would be the best option in my opinion. Unless he shows fear or stress towards you - in which case id go with veterinary grooming under sedation

 

[lifewithnewdog]

Okay..now the shaving part. That's what we need done. What is an appropriate tool to use for that? I don think he's in pain exactly but it is knotted enough to probably be uncomfortable.

 

[Dawnben]

Okay..now the shaving part. That's what we need done. What is an appropriate tool to use for that? I don think he's in pain exactly but it is knotted enough to probably be uncomfortable.

You need a good pair of clippers. A # 7 blade or a # 7 skip toothed blade. He is in pain if he is matted. I used to tell my clients to grab a short hairs at the back of their necks and twist and pull that is what a matted dog feels like all the time. You will have to go sow though. Two people would be better then one. One to hold and soothe while the other shaves. Lots of praise and yummy treats.

 

[cos]

If he's matted behind the ears or legs those are really sensitive areas and are probably causing some amount of pain, and a dog in pain may lash out no matter how much they trust the person, especially if they're already nervous, so be careful!

I'd just buy a dog clipper. You can find them at a lot of pet stores that offer grooming like petco or pet smart

 

[traciek88]

A lot of little dogs come into my shelter a horrendous, matted mess. It can make their behavior worse because they are in pain. While it may be difficult or expensive, I really think you should get a vet to do this, or very skilled groomer. If you don't know what you're doing you can really hurt your little guy, or get hurt yourself from him biting you. A lot of times the skin on dogs like that is really sore, and there might be actual wounds or who knows what under there. You don't want to aggravate that or make it worse. And that in itself might end up as a vet visit anyway.

 

[lifewithnewdog]

We got him cut. He's all shaved down. He got it done Monday. Ever since he got his cut, he's been acting different. I think his sedation is worn off. However, now when it's time to take him outside he starts shaking. I thought maybe he was chilly, but it's not that because he does it before we even leave the apartment. Plus, he did it tonight and it's unusually warm out tonight.
We actually had to carry him to the grass to get him to go.
He also doesn't seem to want to leave the couches.

 

[PoppyKenna]

We got him cut. He's all shaved down. He got it done Monday. Ever since he got his cut, he's been acting different. I think his sedation is worn off. However, now when it's time to take him outside he starts shaking. I thought maybe he was chilly, but it's not that because he does it before we even leave the apartment. Plus, he did it tonight and it's unusually warm out tonight.
We actually had to carry him to the grass to get him to go.
He also doesn't seem to want to leave the couches.

He sounds like a very sensitive dog, and the change (his body now feels different) no doubt affects him.

I'd give him some time and patience. He'll come around.

 

[Rain]

It's not that uncommon for dogs to react that way it they've never been shaved. They can feel everything against their skin and it's a strange sensation. Give him a few day to adjust to it and he should come around.

 

[Dawnben]

We got him cut. He's all shaved down. He got it done Monday. Ever since he got his cut, he's been acting different. I think his sedation is worn off. However, now when it's time to take him outside he starts shaking. I thought maybe he was chilly, but it's not that because he does it before we even leave the apartment. Plus, he did it tonight and it's unusually warm out tonight.
We actually had to carry him to the grass to get him to go.
He also doesn't seem to want to leave the couches.

You might want to get him a little t shirt to make him feel more secure.

 

[Grabby]

What sedation was used?

 

[lifewithnewdog]

He's also rubbing his face on things even more now. He also insists on laying right on top of us. Before we dropped him off there he was fine with laying around the house.

 

[Dawnben]

He's also rubbing his face on things even more now. He also insists on laying right on top of us. Before we dropped him off there he was fine with laying around the house.

You might want to moisturize him with cold pressed coconut oil. You can use it inside and out. Rub him down out side and put some in his food. Start slow on the inside 1/4 teaspoon and build up to recommended dose. Make sure it is cold pressed no processed it cooks all the good out.
The Health Benefits Of Coconut Oil For Dogs