Need grooming help--Willow--Update

Bathing a Chow is a LOT easier if you have a raised tub, a grooming table, and a force dryer, LOL.  

My suggestion would be to dilute the shampoo in a bowl or large cup, and get some of those exfoliating gloves from the dollar store, or walmart, or wherever. Use the gloves, dipped in the diluted shampoo, to work her coat. It will make a HUGE difference.  

Thank you--I'm definately going to try that.  It's almost a waste of time if the skin doesn't get the shampoo. 

 Oh, I know it! It's a great big pain, they make them SOOOO thick and gooey! A Zoom Groom or similar tool can help, as well, but I like the gloves better. Diluting makes a big difference. I can't wash a dang dog, anymore, unless the shampoo is diluted. It just makes the job sooo much easier!

I second the zoom groom!

I dilute everything too, but not the medicated stuff, of course unless the vets says so.  I really think you need to use it full strength to be effective.  I've had several clients bring me the prescribed shampoo from the vet, and it did NOT lather well at all,  no matter how much you put on.  I don't think it's desinged to.

Which would you guys recommend for a dog that's skin is very delicate right now the Zoom or the gloves??

Also, do they make hand held dryers like the ones they have for people for dogs?  I used my hair dryer on her last night and she doesn't mind the drying but the noise sort of makes her nervous.  She's used to being groomed at the groomers so she's not that bad but if I can get a quiet one that would be great.  She's always dried really quickly but now that her fur is so thinned out it's even easier. 

I've never known the zoom groom to cause irritation, but if you think it's uncomfortable for her, I would just use my fingers to work the shampoo in.  I have no experience with the gloves Jennie is referring to, they may be more appropriate in this situation. 

And yes, they make hand held driers for dogs.  They are simply...glorified human hair driers, LOL.  I have one made my Andis, and I mostly use it for blowing hair off my table.  I clean it out regularly, but it still gets too hot.  It has a little trigger-type button on it that just circulates room temperature air.  If you think you might be doing this on a regular basis, save yourself hours of time, and buy a full blown HV!  Then when her coat grows back in all beautiful, you can still bathe/dry her if need be.  Just MO.

Is there something smaller that would be good for me using at home with just her.  I don't want anything heavy or loud. 

Lori -- the exfoliating gloves will help -- I used them on Tink even when she was a mass of scabs.  It will help you get TO the skin -- part of the problem is getting under that coat so the shampoo can loosen the scabs and get medication undnerneath.

I was soooo serious about using the Selsun Blue -- I've had like four vets recommend it (not in the same practice, not holistic vets).  It's just so well known to help both staph and yeast.

But diluting everything and then working the lather up IN YOUR HANDS in the gloves makes it sooooo much easier to get deep into the coat without irritating one area.

Your dryer is FINE.  Usually the lower setting is not only less noisy but not as hot for her.  And changing the towel under her a couple of times while you're doing all this truly helps absorb moisture.

And Tink says "GERBER GRADUATES" -- today it was berry yogurt blops -- but her favorite is actually the little tiny freeze dried apple bits!

Stopping to treat periodically really does help it pass more easily. 

Lori -- I have an extra pair of the ex-foliating gloves staring me in the face -- if you'll PM me your snail mail address i'll drop them in the mail to go out Monday early morning!

I ended up getting her the Zoom Groom because when I looked at the gloves the little nubs on them are just way too short to get thru her coat and to her skin--even if she was wet.  So, next week I'll try the Zoom and see how it works.  I'm still a little cautious that it might be a little too rough for her, but I'll be careful. 

Her vet said I can use Selsun Blue on her also and in the past she's seen a dermatologist who also said it's fine if I couldn't get her the medicated shampoo from them. 

I'll probably switch over to only Selsun Blue after this bottle because a bottle that I buy from the vet will only last her two maybe three baths and for the price that's just too much with all her other expenses. 

I'll PM you too Callie.

Lori

Not the nubby gloves. The gloves Callie and I are talking about are made for human skin. I started using them on Ena, and Callie started using them on Tink, then Callie made a post about them and I'm using them on coated dogs, too. They make spreading the shampoo muuuuuch easier.

I've always diluted medicated shampoos.... never had a problem. They probably aren't made to be diluted, though. Usually, you wet the dog first. I generally don't.  Of course, I've always used more medicated shampoo on my own dogs than on clients' dogs, LOL. My poor little girls and all their skin issues! 

Yeah, Lori - you'll get these right in the drug store in the health & beauty section (and  Willow says "Hey Mom, I wanna be bee-you-ti-ful too!!";).  Here's one:

http://us.lizearle.com/images/lizearle/EN-US/range/large/bodygloves.gif

The ones I buy at the grocery store are about $4.00 -- generally Walmart and Walgreens -- most anywhere carries them.

This is CVS's page:

http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/catalog/shop_product_detail.jsp?filterBy=&skuId=407186&productId=407186&navAction=jump&navCount=3

These don't have 'nubs' or bristles -- they're jsut a bit rough but they help get your FINGERS all the way to skin and help get rid of the scabby yuck without hurting the dog. 

I used the Zoom Groom today and I really like it!  I did get her so much cleaner.  I still can't believe what a work out it is! 

Oh. . .great news. . .she's strong enough to jump out of the tub on her own now!!!

Lori

PS--Now I know exactly what gloves you are talking about--I think I have some around here someplace.  You know I've gotten those in gift baskets with shower gel and stuff many times. 

Those will really get thru this coat, huh?  I'll try those next time and see which I prefer. 

Lori

 They do. It's really amazing how deep into a coat you can get, with them. I'm still shocked, occasionally, LOL.

How is Willow's skin doing, these days?