~Ivy Gables Tibetan Terriers~

Quality Breeder of Show, Pet and Performance Puppies

Grooming 

The Tibetan Terrier

Grooming the Tibetan Terrier can either be very easy or very hard depending on the length of it's coat.  While puppies, their coat is very easy to care for, which can lead many new to Tibetan owners to believe that all they've heard about how difficult coat care can be to be silly.  Puppies don't mat at all until they reach about 9 months old at which time the under coat starts to come in.  About the only way most people can tell the undercoat is coming in is because it is the first time they notice a mat.

Up until the time the undercoat begins to come in a bath occasionally is all the work you need to do for your puppies coat.  When the undercoat begins to come in you will need to incorporate a routine of brushing on a twice weekly basis to your routine.   Most human shampoo and conditioners are just fine for this.  Although you may not need to brush your puppy until it's undercoat comes in it is wise to do it earlier so your dog learns this can be a pleasant interaction with you. 

The things you will need are:      

a slicker brush                                              Click on any of these pictures of products to order 

a pin brush                                                                        directly from Pet Edge

a greyhound comb                                                                        

rubber or latex hair bands                                                               

nail clippers                                                                                     

ear cleaner                                  

ear powder      

cotton balls   (purchase at any drug store)   

 Ivy Gables in no way benefits from your purchases from Pet Edge.  We provide these links in order to help you until you find a vendor of your own.    

The process

Teaching your Tibetan early in life to lie on it's side on the floor or a grooming table will be a lesson you'll forever be grateful for as you spend more and more time grooming his coat.  With your dog lying on it's side you can complete one side, then flip them over and do the other.  

Brushing completely through the coat is the only way to get out all the mats and prevent new ones from forming.  I use the pin brush for this. It isn't enough to brush from the part down the body and sides of the dog.  You must lift up the hair and brush the underneath as well.  With the dog on it's side, start down by the belly.  With one hand lift up the coat above and brush with the other at the skin level, continuing to let down the upper hair a little at a time.  In this manner you will get all of the undercoat as well as the top coat. 

When you do reach a mat, gently, with your fingers try to separate it until you can pull out just the mat without any of the surrounding hair.  If that isn't possible, using a knife or one side of your scissors, cut through the mat.  Do not cut from side to side but rather run one blade from up to down through it.  You may need to do that a few times before you can pull it gently out with your fingers or brush it out.  This method won't leave you with a gapping hole.  Under belly's, under ears and where the legs meet the body will usually  be the worst places for mats but if your dog has been taught to lie on it's side these area's can easily be reached.  I give my dogs treats as we go so they are more tolerant knowing the worst will be over soon and in the meantime they are getting goodies for being good.  I usually use nickel size pieces of turkey franks. When the hair above their eyes is long enough I usually put it up in little pig tails over the eyes.  I find the comb to be easiest to do this job.

 A good quality hair conditioner is invaluable through this.  There are many good ones available in pet stores or through pet catalogs such as New England Serum or Cherrybrookes.

Puppy Cuts....    

A puppy cut is a haircut that simulates the puppy look.  For those that don't want to spend hours on grooming but still want a Tibetan the puppy cut can be the answer.  A puppy cut is usually achieved by leaving the leg coat longer as well as the tail and beards long while shortening the coat on the body.   If your taking your dog to a groomer for this they will usually know what to do to achieve the puppy cut.  As you go along you will most likely refine it to your particular tastes by telling them to leave more here and take more there.  Generally the bangs are cut for a puppy cut.  I like it because I can then see my dogs eyes which I enjoy.

If your going to show your dog in conformation no scissoring is allowed and you will need to become  proficient at grooming.

Ears....

Whether or not you keep your dog in a long coat you will need to learn to do ears or have your groomer do them.  Ears aren't hard to do but it is very important to your dogs well being that they get done.  If not kept dry and free of hair ear infections follow.  These can be extremely painful for your dog and will require medications to control.

To clean the ear of hair you will need to use an ear powder.  Lifting the flap of the ear up onto their heads sprinkle some ear powder in the ear canal.  Ear powder makes the hair less slippery so you can get a good grip on it.   With your fingers, tug gently on the hair.  It should pull right out.  If there is orange or brown substance in the ear canal and on the inside of the ear flap and your dog is acting as if this is very painful you may already have an ear fungus which will require a trip to your vet's office for medication.  Otherwise just continue until you've gotten all of the hair inside the ear canal pulled out.  You can reapply more ear powder if needed.  After that is done use some liquid ear cleaner to clean the ear canal.  I just pour it in until it reaches the top.  Then bring the ear flap back down and massage the base of the ear from the outside.  After massaging this for a minute let your dog shake his head which will loosen much of the debris in the ear.  Then go back with a moistened cotton swab and wipe what  you can easily reach.  Don't use qtips. 

Nails... 

These can either be done at home or you can have a groomer or your vet do them.  Most groomers and vets only charge $6 -$8 to do the nails which can be well worth it if you hate doing nails as many people do.  If you do them at home do them in the light where you can see the quick in the nail bed.  It will be easily seen if your dog has white nails.  Make sure not to cut so far down that you reach that area as it is painful and the dog quickly learns to hate nail trims.   If your dogs nails are black cut frequently doing just a small amount of nail at a time.

If you HATE doing nails you may want to look into a nail grinder.  These can be purchased at PetEdge or Cherrybrookes.  They are pricey but you never have to worry about cutting into the quick and making your dogs nails bleed.  The initial noise and sensation may frighten them for the first few minutes but you'll see them relax in no time at all and let you grind away.

Click on catalog picture below to order catalog

 02/14/2008