Grooming the ruff~

My three where 1" wide martingale collars 24/7. It does part the fur but it doesn't seem to be damaging it. I only keep their ID tags on it as their rabies and dog tags discolored their ruffs. Instead I keep the rabies and ID tags on the handle part of their leashes.

The only areas that I've ever wanted to trim were their ears, paws and I've used thinning shears on their pants once or twice. Sadie's pants for some reason have a tendancy to look extremely fuzzy, almost like their staticy, so I use the thinning shears to make the hair lie down better.
 
Ann said:
I actually thought it looked better in the "after" picture, Michele. More even and blended. It may be shorter than it should be but if you're happy with how he looks and he's happy that's what counts. And as Lightplum said, it always grows back! When it comes in now it will probably be more even, so don't beat yourself up. :wink2:
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Thanks Ann,I appreciate it.After looking at him today,I am still feeling I did the right thing,as if anyone were to see him in person he looks 100% better. Brian said the same as you,it will grow out better and more even now. Plus now he is even all the way under his chest,to the bottom of his ruff.
 
OntarioSheltie said:
The only areas that I've ever wanted to trim were their ears, paws and I've used thinning shears on their pants once or twice. Sadie's pants for some reason have a tendancy to look extremely fuzzy, almost like their staticy, so I use the thinning shears to make the hair lie down better.
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I don't trim my dogs ears- they are not tipped. His ears are not big, and the tufts and fuzzies surrounding them are really cute. In fact I don't trim anything. I love the way he looks- especially the long fur on his front legs!
 
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I think you did a good job. That said, I probably would have left it alone too..well..maybe a little trimming around the edges, BUT....you DID do a very, very good job at that ;-). I think it will grow back in beautiful form. Don't feel bad at all.
 
I've given up on trimming Mr D's wild mane - it just grows how it wants to grow. His ears though I just still can't help myself...

The ruff is a bit shorter than I expected but its nice and even and looks really natural. And certainly being shorter it looks a lot thicker. Ruffs often look kind of stragly until it grow in full so I can see why you wanted to even it up. Tully's was like that until her third summer.
 
Michele,

As a first attempt, I think you did great. It's always difficult to know where to stop. The cardinale rule: Less is more!

I remember when I brought Ginny home when Bacca was 10 months old. First thing I did was groom her to help get her used to me and mine. I focussed on her ears because I was pretty confident that I knew what I was doing. When I ended up bringing Ginny back to the breeder, she did a a little "eek"...."Well, uum, Barb, perhaps you were a little aggressive on the ears. We actually like to keep them a little longer during the winter to protect the ears".

First Lesson learned! Groom for the climate first - at least with companion pets. Ever since then I've been alot less aggressive in my grooming.

The main thing that I remember is to try to keep the bottom of the ruff at elbow level and aim for an oval upwards from there.
 
I have had 3 days of feeling guilty,and now as I see him,I do feel I was a bit agressive especially towards the bottom.Live & learn. And our hope is that he will grow out a bit more even,even 50% more even would be better than all the broken choppy edges.

He was with me all day today running errands.I went to insurance company,walmart,paid for tags at county offices.He was treated like royalty,and sucked up every bit of attention he could get.

I was waiting for Brian in garden center at Walmart,and the sweetest elder lady,that was waiting for a wheel chair,sat down beside me on one of the lawn chairs.And we were chatting,she was lovin on Trapp.My gosh,she loved him to bits.

The gentleman came with the wheel chair,that had a basket on it.It was one of those moments,no camera,but she insisted Trapp sit in the basket,while she continued to chat with me.

Well he caused quite the attention of everyone.At the time,Brian was inside,and I had no one to hold Trapp.I had my cell phone camera.
Before we left,I took Trapp out of the basket,and set him on her lap.Well I did not expect her to cry,but she did.It was just the best moment with her.

I never got her name,but she recently had heart surgery,and looked a bit frail.I did not know about the surgery,until Trapp gave her a nudge on her chest,and licked her.
It was then she told me,of the recent surgery.I was proud of my boy~
 
Don't stress over it. Not only is it just fur, but it's sheltie fur. It'll grow back before you know it.

You should consider having him therapy dog certified. I would love to do therapy work. There are so many organizations here. One's where children read to dogs, go to nursing homes, children's hospitals, etc. That's why I originally got a sheltie for. Too bad my sheltie is shy and has no interest in people :no:.
 
Definitly, do not stress over it. Fur grows back. And its only my experimenting that you learn. I'm no expert, and I don't think I would have tried to do what you did. You can only get better!

I've had so many bad groomings either done myself or professionals I cannot count.

The last grooming the boys got, the groomer shaved not just their poop chutes but their entire butts! I was appalled.

On May 13th, I've scheduled the boys for a grooming by a local Sheltie breeder. I hope to be able to observe the trimming part of the exercise so I can learn myself. Because my boys are still only 3 years and I think still growing in to their full coats, I really don't trim them much. But I do focus on ears and feet. I can to the feet pretty well, legs and ears are just ok. I hope I learn alot from her.

I'll try to do before and after photos
 
take4roll10 said:
Don't stress over it. Not only is it just fur, but it's sheltie fur. It'll grow back before you know it.

You should consider having him therapy dog certified. I would love to do therapy work. There are so many organizations here. One's where children read to dogs, go to nursing homes, children's hospitals, etc. That's why I originally got a sheltie for. Too bad my sheltie is shy and has no interest in people :no:.
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I don't know where to start Randi.Where or how do I begin.I do think Trapp has a calling in his life.He is such a comfort,to many people he meets.Yesterday he showed me great potential.He was so awesome with her,but the best part,was to see her face.
 
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