( 
)A General Guide to Everyday Poodle/Bichon Frise Brushing/Combing
My Bichon Poo, Dayzee, gets tangles in her sleep! She has a lovely curly coat, like most poodles and Bichon Frises. It's soft and beautiful, but quite hard to take care of. She also used to HATE getting brushed or groomed, so that made it even worse! After many months, I've finally perfected her grooming routine, and thought I'd share that with you. It's really quite simple, and will hopefully keep your doggie lookin' pretty!
Firstly, we have to teach the dog to associate brushing, combing, and grooming with happy feelings, rather than bad feelings, pain, etc. Sure, sometimes combing out tangles will hurt a bit, but creating a positive mood is essential, and is Step 1. Never be rough with your dog or get mad at him if he or she doesn't sit, stay, tries to bite at the comb, etc. Just be firm in your tone with him, and let him know that behavior is not acceptable. Look him straight in the eye and say "NO." Be gentle, yet authoritative. During the combing and grooming process, like right before we start, when Dayzee behaves properly during a grooming and right after grooming, I like to give her her favorite liver treats. This makes her really look forward to grooming time.
Step 2 is finding and setting up the area to groom your furry friend. I've found that dogs who don't like grooming too much do better on grooming tables (please make sure your pet is supervised at ALL times), because they won't try to run away like they might if they were on the floor or a couch. I think it lets them know that you really mean business! If they constantly try to get away from you, you might want to try a grooming table until your doggie gets used to being groomed. If your dog is okay with grooming already, choosing a nice soft rug or sofa should be fine, and keep you both comfortable. Make sure you keep your supplies nearby, and handy.
Step 3 is getting the right supplies. You might choose to get a small blanket or mat to sit on, so the hair you comb out will not get on your furniture/floor. Also, keep a trash bag nearby to dispose of any fur that accumulates on your brushes. Most important is the actual brushes you will use. I find that using 2 types of brushes/combs for my Bichon Poo is absolutely necessary. The first type I use, and that is very commonly used, is a curved "slicker brush." It's GREAT for getting out existing tangles and mats, and is pretty gentle on your pet. If you find a mat, just keep going over it in a gentle curving (half-circle) motion, and it will eventually come out, 99% of the time. Don't just give up after a minute! Sometimes it takes several minutes, and shouldn't hurt your pet. The slicker is a great tool for getting out the majority of loose hair, especially from your dog's undercoat. If you don't get out the hair by brushing, most of the hair will not fall off, but rather remain in her coat and get tangled/matted, so it's VERY important. The 2nd type of comb I use, after I've gotten out the tangles, is a "deshedding/de-shedding comb." It's GREAT for dogs with undercoats like Poodles and Bichon Frises. Even if you think you've gotten out all the excess hair with the slicker, go over it with the deshedding comb, and you are almost guaranteed to find tons of loose hair. That's the real secret that not everybody knows about. The de-shedding combs are nothing like the de-matting combs that cut out your dog's mats. They look like regular people-combs, and have metal teeth with rounded edges, and are quite gentle on your dog's skin. In addition to the longer widely spaced teeth, there are also shorter metal teeth that help grab stray hairs. With either brush, almost no downward force is needed - just a gentle brushing action. I like to start with the body, because that's the part my dog will let me do with almost no fuss. Eventually, I work down to the limbs and then to the face and head. I really believe that whatever order your dog is most comfortable with is just fine. Don't forget to do their ears and under their chin! All the little nooks and crannies are the places that will most likely tangle first, because they don't always get fully brushed out. Don't forget to give your pal lots of love during and after grooming, so he will associate it with warm hugs and yummy treats.
Step 4 - Keep it up! Make sure to comb/brush your buddy at least twice a week. Three times would be even better. All you need are the right tools, the right attitude - and the right treats!
That's my 2 cents on Bichon/Poodle fur care, from my own experience. I hope it helps! Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have. :o)
My Bichon Poo, Dayzee, gets tangles in her sleep! She has a lovely curly coat, like most poodles and Bichon Frises. It's soft and beautiful, but quite hard to take care of. She also used to HATE getting brushed or groomed, so that made it even worse! After many months, I've finally perfected her grooming routine, and thought I'd share that with you. It's really quite simple, and will hopefully keep your doggie lookin' pretty!
Firstly, we have to teach the dog to associate brushing, combing, and grooming with happy feelings, rather than bad feelings, pain, etc. Sure, sometimes combing out tangles will hurt a bit, but creating a positive mood is essential, and is Step 1. Never be rough with your dog or get mad at him if he or she doesn't sit, stay, tries to bite at the comb, etc. Just be firm in your tone with him, and let him know that behavior is not acceptable. Look him straight in the eye and say "NO." Be gentle, yet authoritative. During the combing and grooming process, like right before we start, when Dayzee behaves properly during a grooming and right after grooming, I like to give her her favorite liver treats. This makes her really look forward to grooming time.
Step 2 is finding and setting up the area to groom your furry friend. I've found that dogs who don't like grooming too much do better on grooming tables (please make sure your pet is supervised at ALL times), because they won't try to run away like they might if they were on the floor or a couch. I think it lets them know that you really mean business! If they constantly try to get away from you, you might want to try a grooming table until your doggie gets used to being groomed. If your dog is okay with grooming already, choosing a nice soft rug or sofa should be fine, and keep you both comfortable. Make sure you keep your supplies nearby, and handy.
Step 3 is getting the right supplies. You might choose to get a small blanket or mat to sit on, so the hair you comb out will not get on your furniture/floor. Also, keep a trash bag nearby to dispose of any fur that accumulates on your brushes. Most important is the actual brushes you will use. I find that using 2 types of brushes/combs for my Bichon Poo is absolutely necessary. The first type I use, and that is very commonly used, is a curved "slicker brush." It's GREAT for getting out existing tangles and mats, and is pretty gentle on your pet. If you find a mat, just keep going over it in a gentle curving (half-circle) motion, and it will eventually come out, 99% of the time. Don't just give up after a minute! Sometimes it takes several minutes, and shouldn't hurt your pet. The slicker is a great tool for getting out the majority of loose hair, especially from your dog's undercoat. If you don't get out the hair by brushing, most of the hair will not fall off, but rather remain in her coat and get tangled/matted, so it's VERY important. The 2nd type of comb I use, after I've gotten out the tangles, is a "deshedding/de-shedding comb." It's GREAT for dogs with undercoats like Poodles and Bichon Frises. Even if you think you've gotten out all the excess hair with the slicker, go over it with the deshedding comb, and you are almost guaranteed to find tons of loose hair. That's the real secret that not everybody knows about. The de-shedding combs are nothing like the de-matting combs that cut out your dog's mats. They look like regular people-combs, and have metal teeth with rounded edges, and are quite gentle on your dog's skin. In addition to the longer widely spaced teeth, there are also shorter metal teeth that help grab stray hairs. With either brush, almost no downward force is needed - just a gentle brushing action. I like to start with the body, because that's the part my dog will let me do with almost no fuss. Eventually, I work down to the limbs and then to the face and head. I really believe that whatever order your dog is most comfortable with is just fine. Don't forget to do their ears and under their chin! All the little nooks and crannies are the places that will most likely tangle first, because they don't always get fully brushed out. Don't forget to give your pal lots of love during and after grooming, so he will associate it with warm hugs and yummy treats.
Step 4 - Keep it up! Make sure to comb/brush your buddy at least twice a week. Three times would be even better. All you need are the right tools, the right attitude - and the right treats!
That's my 2 cents on Bichon/Poodle fur care, from my own experience. I hope it helps! Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have. :o)
Guide created: 09/12/06 (updated 08/21/08)
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