In this section, you'll find some advises, tips, and
some products tests about grooming. Sometimes, we will try to add some
pictures to be as clear as possible in our explanations. In this #1,
we just propose you the page we've had done on our first website, just
because a lot of people said us it was very useful.
EQUIPMENT
How to proceed ? Make yourself (both !) comfortable.
Use the brush to untangle the top hair. With your open toothed comb
you have to groom all the coat. It will be used to detect knots and
to penetrate the fur as far as the skin. Don't pull ! Personally I put
down the comb and I undo the knot with my fingers so as not to drag
any hair away if possible. Use the fine toothed comb for the corner
of the eyes and the whiskers. You can also comb the ears to eliminate
the little balls of hair which can form another knot. WASHING You must UNTANGLE your coton carefully before wetting his coat, or else it will be like you were washing your cashmere pullover in boiling water ... The shampoo has to be suitable and of good quality ; you have to dilute it more than recommended on the notice. Personally I avoid shampoos for white dogs which strip and drain the take too much oil out of and damages the hair. I prefer a conditioner, a "puppy shampoo" or one containing mink oil. Don't use human shampoos (even babies ones). The water must be warm. Don't rub too hard ! Give him a shower and massage from root to tip of the hair. Rinse a lot. You can use an after shampoo conditioner (always without rubbing !). You rinse afterwards. Personal tip :When the dog is heavy coated, I take off the shower head. So that I have a controlled jet with the biggest rate of flow which allow me more easily to wet and rinse as far as the skin. DRYING Let your "treasure" shake himself , and connect your hairdryer. Be careful the air musn't be too hot ! It's the air volume which is drying the hair rather than its temperature. Personal tip : I use a hairslide. I set the locks of hair upright to dry the root first, because on a long coat, the tips become "overcookeed" and ruined ... before the root has begun to dry. EYES You have to clean them regularly with a lotion. Don't ever cut the hair that falls over the eyes, but fasten it with a hairslide, hair elastics, bows, as long as you remove and replace them regularlyevery day. Personal tip : If your coton's eyes weep, you have to dry the moist and red stains on the hair with boric acid or cornflour. FEET Cut the hair between the soft pads.Get your coton used to this operation, he doesn't like it much ! Use scissors with round ends. Also cut hair which is too long around the feet. EARS Ears must be regularly plucked. Don't use tweezers. You can extract the hair with your hand. Put a washing lotion into the ears and massage behind the base of the ear. Personal tip : ??? Sorry .... Good luck !!! TEETH Some dogs may get tartar. No miraculous solution. Chewing bones isn't enough to avoid this problem. Only a daily brushing would avoid tartar (don't get the wrong toothpaste your coton likes a meaty taste!) Usually it's the vet who deals with any tartar Cut the hair under the nose at the upper lip level, so it doesn't get dirty.
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