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  • marty_ga
    • Gold Top Dog

    dogs with undercoats

    marty_ga

    Posted : 6/25/2006 7:18:17 PM

    I don't know if this is a stupid question or not, but do they tend to itch when shedding the undercoat?  Especially if not brushed enough?

    Java is what we think is a chow mix, but small for a chow.  Due to a back problem, I don't brush her as often as I should, and I know that.  I brushed her tonight and gave her a bath....will brush her again tomorrow before vacuuming up black hair...again. Think I will consider a groomer from now on, but I was wondering about the itchies.
  • cavowner
    • Puppy
    cavowner

    Posted : 7/1/2006 9:21:10 PM

    'Itches' can have a multitude of causes including molting.
    Can you get the dog off the floor and onto a bench top to save your back? A covered blanket on the table would work.

    Split the coat into half inch pieces and comb through each piece from bottom to top & back to front. If you can get the dog to lay on it's side so much the better. You can then comb one side then roll the dog over to comb the other side. A tummy rub when rolling dog over helps. :-) Claws can be clipped at the same time. The skin can be checked easily while combing too.

    Why pay a groomer when you can make your dog look a million dollars yourself? A chows coat is groomed forward towards the head, your dog's coat may look good done the same way.
    Have fun.
  • Xeph
    • Gold Top Dog
    Xeph

    Posted : 7/1/2006 10:00:43 PM

    Why pay a groomer when you can make your dog look a million dollars yourself?

     
    Quite honestly, I've seen the attempts of people trying to make their dogs look like a million bucks.
     
    When their dog ends up looking like a 5 cent piece, they bring them into the grooming shop I work at and they ask us to try and undo the damage.
     
    Anybody can learn to groom their dog themselves, that's a given.  Some are much better at it than others.  If she's got a back problem and can't do the necessary grooming herself, I see no reason NOT to take her dog to a groomer for a nice full brush out and bath.
     
    Anyway, a dog being itchy can be caused by a number of things:
     
    Bad diet, causing hot spots
    Weather - When it is humid or a dog's coat cannot dry properly, hot spots can develop
    Dry skin
    Blowing coat - My older Shepherd itches like crazy when he's blowing his coat.  My younger doesn't give a wit.
  • marty_ga
    • Gold Top Dog
    marty_ga

    Posted : 7/2/2006 6:56:37 AM

    Thanks for your replies...it must be a combination of dry skin and blowing coat.  Gotta get some more fish oil.  Her diet is not too bad..Blue Buffalo now that PetsMart is carrying it and I don' t have to have Eagle Pack shipped.  Her coat is not like Willow's...it's thick, but wavy, so I don't think it could be brushed forward. 

    I did spread a towel on the bed and got her up there.  We're sidetracked by the holidays for a while now...