MY MOM CUTS MY HAIR NOW

by Iris Miller
(Bristol,CT USA)

mom styles me

begging for sweets

Tuffy at four months

trained massage dog 4 yrs old

hi all.

We have not yet found the groomer who Tuffy is compatible with, and who will give him the haircut I request, and do not do what I ask them not to do (like, please do not cut his tail!) I have written in the past about the nightmare groomer episodes(Tuffy has been completely shaved down by groomers three times, which traumatized him)*.read my previous postings.

For the past couple of years or so, I have been teaching myself to groom Tuffy, and teaching him to be patient about it. It takes me about three days to bathe, dry, comb and brush, clip and style, trim the paw pads and even up with the scissors. I take him to the vet or a pet store groomer to clip his nails(I don't have the guts for it, I'm afraid I'll make him bleed). I'm no where near professional status, but I think I'm doing a fair job (though I do wish I had a groomer to call our own.

Right now Tuffy looks like a baby polar bear. His hair has grown thick for winter and sticks out like a puffball. I recently trimmed around his eyes and face but am still recovering from surgery on my broken ankle and can't stand up long enough to groom him. I've been detangling and cutting out matts as I find them on him.

It's been a rough year for us, first a broken arm to start the year, then a broken ankle to end it. My faithful friend Tuffy it my side and at the foot of my bed, healing and cheering me up. We really could use a bath (for him) and a cute puppy cut. I believe the groomers at Petsmart where I used to bring him, used a #1" clipper and basically the Bischon or Maltese puppy cut hairstyle. short and fluffy.
love as always, Iris and Tuffy.

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Apr 16, 2012
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Puppy Cut
by: Jolie LaFleur's mom, Tammy

We get Jolie cut every 5 weeks. My groomer has had experience with poodle, bichon and maltese clips, so all I had to do was tell her what I wanted and she has done it. We keep Jolie's hair pretty short all over because she likes to play outside a lot, but her ears and tail are always kept long. Her tail is long enough that when she holds it up in the air, it is still long enough to cascade over her back and drags on the ground for a couple of inches. It's her "princess" look and I love it!! My groomer does trim her toenails, but I also use an emory board in between times, for her and my chihuahua, Brutus. I have tried many things for "treats" and have found that Jolie and Brutus both LOVE cheese!! They usually each get a 1/4 in the morning and at night, for the first and last potty time of the day. Jolie will "speak" for it, stand on her back legs and twirl around, all for the piece of cheese. If I am using it for training purposes, I just break it into smaller pieces. They will even take their heartworm meds in cheese, when thy will dig it out of anything else I'e tried, eat the treat and leave the pill!!

Feb 20, 2012
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Know what you mean.....
by: Linda

I dont take Julia to the groomer, except for nails and paw pad trims [that need to be shorter during snow], and if she needs ear hair plucked. I have been teaching myself to clip her also. It does take me several days to complete the job, but works out ok. I was glad to hear that you take that much time too!
I would love for her to be in a long coat, but it just doesnt work for me. I have looked at the "puppy clips" here, and like them.

Feb 05, 2012
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paw paw play
by: Iris Miller

p.s. Vicky
that is the game we play night and day, Tuffy is smarter than Yogi bear! lol

Feb 05, 2012
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about nail trimming & treats
by: Iris Miller

thanks again Vicky. For now we will have the pros handle this delicate issue.
My Tuffy aka Mr. Fusspot, will not eat any processed meats like hot dogs and lunch meat, even deli sliced meats. He take a sniff and turns up his head.I should learn from him not to eat them either. His favorite treats are chicken and Pure bites freeze dried liver, but doe not care if I would give him a handful of his favorites, he will not stand or lie down for me clipping his nails.I know he senses my fear. I once had a toy Pomeranian, I clipped his nail too short and he bled out running all over the house screaming. I'll never forget it and really don't want to experience another accident like that. The Vet I bring him to at Pet Supplies Plus is aware of his long quick and only trims that little bit of nail off the end. Another Vet's office Tech. made him bleed and did nothing about it, brought him back to the exam room, where the Vet noticed blood on the table and put the sulfur powder on to stop the bleeding. When I get back to walking again Tuffy wil be able to grind those nails down on the roads and sidewalks (if it doesn't snow first. I am going to take your advice and use an emery board meanwhile. Take care, and thanks for caring.
love, Iris and Tuffy

Feb 05, 2012
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Thought I might add
by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

I thought this morn. that when I stated a touch of foot I would like to add to it. Even before u attempt to cut nails as ur watching tv etc. just start scratching on top of foot (treat.) Add a finger to the bottom of toes (treat.)

Make up a game I got ur feet or toes. Little by little hold them longer (treat, treat, treat.) This will help make it less frustrating for them & u. Ur dog is not alone. I have really never seen a dog that without work likes to have their feet messed with for some reason.

The reason also I picked hotdog or bologna is the smell & it is used only for treating a behavior that is challenging. Come, potty in particular spot, stay etc. U can also use squeaky toy to reward for ur games. When I need to use multiple treats I usually cut my slice of dog into 8 pc. Start 10 min. 3 times day, keep fun & light. Sorry so much & long.

Feb 03, 2012
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Thank u for ur kind comments
by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

Start of by touch foot a slice of hotdog cut into 4 treats. Touch treat. Every time u do it treat. U will be able to cut down on the treats before he gets fat. :-) He will eventually let u cut all nails for one treat. By smothering him with treats that go down the throat smooth.

They luv hotdogs. Use turkey or chicken & boil it for a while to get most of the salt out of it. I have read if u soak it overnight then boil it really takes the salt out but I am not that organized.

U can always teach a mature dog new habits. Honestly Jonah was the same way with the feet. He would even try to chew not bite at my hand. But now we are on 1 treat & he gets 1/4 pup-peroni.

The nice thing w/starting out w/hotdog is that it slides down the throat when they get multiple treats so the do not start choking or coughing.

Again thank u for the kind words. Good luck & glad to answer any quirks that might come up. I have to thank Px. Field & Obedience for all the help they gave me yrs. back.

Feb 03, 2012
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clippers for dog nails
by: Iris Miller

Dear Vicky. You're so very kind, thank you for the good wishes and advice. When I get out and about again I'll check out Walmart for those clippers you mentioned. Jonah must be very patient. I would have to sit on Tuffy.
Tuffy is very sensitive to have his paws touched, probably because he was always under foot as a puppy (and his little feet got stepped on).I wish you could see how I have to trim the hair between his foot pads, I have to say "DON'T MOVE!" a lot! lol and don't do it often, when he starts skiing on the floor because he has hair skis it is time for another trim.
take care and thanks again.
big Coton hugs,
Iris and Tuffy

Feb 03, 2012
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Tuffy
by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

I use the cat scissors w/the rubber on the handle for Jonah's nails (it is very easy to see what u are doing.) They also may classify them as toy dog & cat nail scissors. They run around $6. at Walmart.

I pick Wed. & once a week I take off the very tip of his nails. The back nails do not usually need it every week. This way u never run the risk of an accident. As u do it once a week if the quick has gotten to long inside the nail, it will gradually work the quick back where it belongs. I have a cordless dremil but the scissors seem quicker to me then dragging it out all the time.

By taking a sm. amount every week ur confidence is felt by ur dog & does not make him so nervous. I lay Jonah on his side on the bed which makes it easier for me to lean over or sit beside & hold 1 toe at a time & snip off the tip. I usually cut from the side so I can see better. I sometimes need to use my emery board & run over lightly a couple times if needed for snags.

Ur grooming job looks wonderful & I luv Tuffy's smile. He is very handsome. I broke my patella 3 yrs ago & I feel for u. I hope ur recovery goes well. I wish I could lend u a hand.

Feb 02, 2012
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Molly
by: Iris Miller

well now I have to go look at a picture of little Molly!

Feb 02, 2012
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thank you all
by: Iris Miller

Thanks to everyone for all the kind words and good wishes!
We are so blessed to be a part of this loving Coton community,
big ((((HUGS)))))/
Iris & Tuffy

Feb 02, 2012
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clipping your dog's nails
by: Iris Miller

hi Joyce, what is it you do your dog's nails with, where did you get it, and how much does it cost? Does the hair get caught in it?
thanks,Iris

Feb 02, 2012
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TUFFY
by: SHERRY - COTTON

TUFFY YOU ARE ONE GOOD LOOKING COTON, CANNOT BELIEVE
HOW YOU HAVE HAD THE COLOR CHANGE FROM PUPPY-HOOD
TO GROWN UP BOY. LOOKS LIKE MOM IS DOING A REALLY GOOD
TRIM JOB ON YOU.
COTTON AND I HOPE THIS NEXT YEAR WILL BE A BETTER ONE
FOR YOUR MOMMY. WHAT A GOOD BOY YOU HAVE BEEN IN
STAYING AT HER SIDE. THAT KIND OF DEVOTION IS JUST
PRICELESS.---IT IS HARD TO LEAVE THEM WITH PEOPLE (GROOMERS
THAT YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH, I DREAD THE THOUGHT OF
HAVING COTTON TRIMMED AGAIN.

Feb 02, 2012
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sad for your loss
by: Iris Miller

Dear Connie, I am so sorry for the loss of your dear Maltese, Bear.
i can understand your fear of taking your Coton to a groomer.
that is a terrifying thought, trusting your dog to someone and losing her. Did you ever find out what caused her death?
I hope you do.
much love,Iris and Tuffy

Feb 02, 2012
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Tuffy
by: Anne Glenmoore

Hello: Tuffy looks alot like our Molly. He is one good looking Coton. We have the same problem at Pet Smart. Stopped going there for several reasons. Because Pet Smart didn't have a Coton de Tulear in their database, they listed her as a dashund! She doesn't even resemble a dashund. The first groomer tried to make her look like a Lasa Apso after she told me she knew what a coton was and she even said her hair should be silky. So needless to say, we found a new groomer who does a better job, and we ask for a puppy cut so it isn't too far off. Molly's hair grows so fast that in two weeks she is starting to look like her old self. We don't mind because she looks so cute no matter what. We do have an issue with the products the groomers use and I bring my own shampoo. I also bath her between cuts - since she seems to love playing in the black mulch. - Unfortunately, most people want to categorize them as Maltese, Bichons, Lasas and Shit-tsus even though their faces are more beautiful and their coat is so different.

Sorry to hear that you've had a difficult year. Hope this year is better for you.

Feb 01, 2012
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Grooming
by: Joyce

I've been grooming my dogs for years. I'm not a professional - but it's fine and they don't have to worry about being locked up or trying to jump off the table. At first I used just scissors - but now JR will allow me to use clippers. I use a #4 blade on our boys - I like them shorter. As for their nails, I use a drummel for that - don't have to worry about cutting to short. Good Luck and hopefully you'll be back to normal soon.

Feb 01, 2012
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Groomer Recommendation
by: Sherri C

If you are willing to drive to Waterford, CT - I can HIGHLY recommend my groomer. She is phenomenal with Cotons and all kinds of other smaller "maintenance" coated dogs. She hand cuts (no clippers, unless there is no other option). She ASKS you what you want done and works with you. She will even TEACH you how to do the grooming yourself, if you like. She is also very reasonably priced.

my email address is sherri1000@hotmail.com - contact me if you want her info.

Feb 01, 2012
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Groomers
by: Connie

Bear, our 8 yr. old Maltese baby girl died June, 2011, at the GROOMER, and we're still devastated(tears). We are reluctant to take our 10 month old,Coton Charlie, to a groomer. We took him to a lady who grooms in her home, and they don't have to stay locked up all day like at a commercial groomer. She did great the first time, then botched him the 2nd time--guess she thought he was a poodle. Anyone know a good groomer in East Dallas? Also have any of you or your friends experienced death at the groomer? If so contact Connie at c1c2cat@aol.com. Thanks!

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