[pmdavis]

It's been a while since i've been on PoodleForum... I guess I've just been crazy busy....

I do have a couple questions, I've been doing Roxy's grooming and this last time, she actually looked pretty good!!!

But I need to take the dive and pluck her ears!!! I've heard that there is a powder that you can put in the ears to help make it less painful. Has anyone used this powder and if so does it help?

Also, for some odd reason, Roxy gets a couple matts in her topknot right behind her ears... I really don't want to cut them out, and i've been trying to comb them out. Is there any products or what is your suggestion to get rid of the matts and to help keep them away!!

Thanks,

p

 

[Fluffyspoos]

The ear powder doesn't make it less painful, it just allows you to grip the hair and pluck it out. Lots of dogs don't like it.. I've never had a standard poodle bite me for it, though I had to pretty much wrestle with one since she was pretty determined to get away.

The best you can do with the mats behind her ears is to either slicker them to see if they'll go away, or trim them out. Behind the ears, on the ears, and on the tail are some of the most common places I'll find mats in the dogs, as well as legs.

 

[KPoos]

Let me know how that ear thing goes. I still haven't done it on Jasper out of my own fear as well. I need to buy hemostats and the ear powder. I think if you can get a good grip then you won't need to be relentless and pull too many times. I'd say quick yanks and maybe no more than 2 or 3 times.

 

[WonderPup]

Once you guys get the ears plucked make sure you do it often from that point forward. If you do it say every other week or monthly then you won't have much to pull. Thats much easier on the dogs if there isn't a whole bunch that has to come out at once.

 

[Sara]

I just orderd "The Stuff" from Petedge and it works great to make removing mats a lot easier. It would be worth a trying.

http://www.petedge.com/product/Grooming/Grooming-Shampoos-Rinses/Conditioners-Creme-Rinses/The-Stuff-Conditioner-and-Detangler-4-oz/pc/190/c/1102/sc/1219/43551.uts

It can be used as a detangler on a dry coat or after a bath. I've only tried it dry so far but since I also just got a real dog grooming dryer I'm looking forward to Lorelei's next bath so I can put both the dryer and the spray to the test.

 

[WonderPup]

I've been wondering about "the stuff" Does it smell nice? I figure if I'm going to use something for brush outs I might as well enjoy the scent, unless there is a skin problem I need to worry about. I just used Ice on Ice to run through Saleen's coat and didn't mind that smell.

 

[Sara]

I've been wondering about "the stuff" Does it smell nice? I figure if I'm going to use something for brush outs I might as well enjoy the scent, unless there is a skin problem I need to worry about. I just used Ice on Ice to run through Saleen's coat and didn't mind that smell.

There is not really much of a fregrence at all, which my husband is good with. I think the dogs like that better too. I had a detangler that was a little perfumie and they gave me a really hard time every time I used it. Since it didn't even work that well it wasn't worth the fight.

Even if the stuff doesn't have a nice smell I think you would be happy with it, you could always follow up with a cologne if want.

 

[WonderPup]

There is not really much of a fregrence at all, which my husband is good with. I think the dogs like that better too. I had a detangler that was a little perfumie and they gave me a really hard time every time I used it. Since it didn't even work that well it wasn't worth the fight.

Even if the stuff doesn't have a nice smell I think you would be happy with it, you could always follow up with a cologne if want.

I think I am really more concerned with if it stinks or not I guess. I don't mind fragrance free products at all, I have used some though that just don't smell nice and it's annoying to me. Of course, I don't turn down somthing that DOES smell good for a fragrance free version for my own dogs. Though the shampoo I use smells nice I rarely use a colonge ever.

 

[Sara]

I think I am really more concerned with if it stinks or not I guess. I don't mind fragrance free products at all, I have used some though that just don't smell nice and it's annoying to me. Of course, I don't turn down somthing that DOES smell good for a fragrance free version for my own dogs. Though the shampoo I use smells nice I rarely use a colonge ever.

Nope, doesn't stink. There is a slight smell while it's wet but once it's dry I don't smell anything at all.

The day I got it Loerlei had been out digging in the yard so she had little mud balls on her legs and feet. I hit her with a tiny bit of the stuff, brushed her with a slicker and she looked and felt like she had just been groomed. It's almost like a "bath in a bottle".

 

[thestars]

A good explanation on how to properly de-mat; http://www.bichonfriseusa.com/ref/demattingbbird.htm

BTW use the ear powder sparingly you don't need much. I usually put it on my fingers in front of the ear so I can control the amount going in. After plucking avoid alcohol products as it will sting the ears. If you use forceps, and I do, be very careful in not pinching them. It takes a while for them to get used to it, even in our older ones (8 and 12) they hate it but do lay still.

 

[cybercat]

If a dog is not used to plucking go slow. Do not grab alot of hair in the ear at one time just a little. The ear hair does come out easy BUT some dogs will make alot of fuss about it. If you are nerveous your dog can put on a big show trying to scare you to stopping. DO NOT STOP once you start. Otherwise you are training the dog it can win with the antics and screaming and it will be worse the next time. If you do a little hair with each pull you should have no problem with bleeding. The only times I have seen bleeding is when a groomer pulled too much hair from not knowing. Fingure are better then forceps in some cases. For a newbie I would use fingures only to start to see how dog will react. If dog does not throw a fit then one can use forceps.

 

[katsdogworld]

The only time Monroe has had an ear infection is when I plucked his ears clean. I was so bummed to cause him ear irritation. Since then, I've picked a few hairs here and there, but mostly leave it alone. I do check his ears often, and clean them regualrly as well.

 

[KPoos]

The only time Monroe has had an ear infection is when I plucked his ears clean. I was so bummed to cause him ear irritation. Since then, I've picked a few hairs here and there, but mostly leave it alone. I do check his ears often, and clean them regualrly as well.

Harry has a lot of hair in his ears and my vet has always said to just leave it alone. He said there is no benefit from pulling the hair out and after it's pulled they are more susceptible to ear infections than if you just left the hair alone. The one time he's gotten an ear infection is when a groomer cleaned it completely out in his ears. We had to put him on antibiotics for that and clean his ears a few times a day.

 

[highhorse]

I use The Stuff, when I'm drying them after a bath and regularly when just brushing out. Also, using plenty on a mat makes it easier to slicker out. Another product you might use is Mink Oil. I use a powder called Thornit in the girls' ears. Not only does it keep them trouble free, it tends to make the hair a little easier to pluck. Like others on the forum, I tend to pluck a little at a time. Be careful though that the dog doesn't keep presenting the same ear to you. One of Inca's ears was nearly fluff free and the other quite overgrown, before I realised what she was doing. Wriggling masks which ear you have attended to. Little beggers.

 

[pmdavis]

Thank you!

Thank you all for the input! It is all very helpful. Last night, I received my order from PetEdge and used the powder with my fingers and pulled out a few hairs. She was good, even though she didn't like it! YEAH BABYGIRL!!

I also purchased The Stuff and will try that soon. I need to get a spray bottle to dilute it first! Will keep you posted on how it all word out!

Thanks again.

p

 

[cybercat]

Harry has a lot of hair in his ears and my vet has always said to just leave it alone. He said there is no benefit from pulling the hair out and after it's pulled they are more susceptible to ear infections than if you just left the hair alone. The one time he's gotten an ear infection is when a groomer cleaned it completely out in his ears. We had to put him on antibiotics for that and clean his ears a few times a day.

This is the total oppisite of what most vets will tell you. Ear hair in some dogs like those that are in water alot will cause major ear problems if you do not clean them out. Reason is the ear cannel can not dry so yeast builds up. Yeast infection is very common in poodles, cockers and labs. Unless the owner dries the ears after baths and swims look and smell for yeast problems. Infections for ear hair pulling are not that common. But yeast ear from not pulling hair are and hard to get rid of, unlike normal infection.

 

[flyingduster]

actually it's quite commone for vets to say ears shouldn't be plucked. Infact I've found it's somewhat of a 50/50 as to if a vet will swing one way or the other!!!

Some dogs have problems if their ears are left hairy, some don't. Some have problems if their ears are plucked, some don't.

Personally, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Many dogs are FINE with hairy ears, and many NEED their ears plucked regularly. Plenty of vets say do NOT pluck the ears, and I'm happy to leave ears hairy (though trimmed!) as long as it's not causing any problems. I'm also happy to pluck ears on those that request it, as long as IT isn't causing any problems (and the dog will tolerate it. They don't have to enjoy it, but I'm not gonna pluck the ears of a screaming dog either!)

 

[pmdavis]

"The Stuff"

So, I mixed up a solution of "The Stuff" last night and worked on Roxy's matts and it certainly made combing/brushing them out easier! I just laid her accross my lap and worked on them.... I will do a full grooming this weekend, but thought it would be best if I got a head start on the matts, and her ears.

It was funny, my husbad was out of the house when I did it, and when he got home, Roxy asked for loves... He made a comment on how much better she smelled... (This would answer the question about how "the stuff" smells) After telling him what I did, he commented that he wasn't sure about using "Chemicals on her"... I told him it wasn't chemicals but product.... Then the 19 year-old boy pipes up... "Product made from chemicals..." I then had to expound on the fact that it was made for dogs and it was okay to use it.... Why can't the teenagers just keep quiet some days?

 

[KPoos]

actually it's quite commone for vets to say ears shouldn't be plucked. Infact I've found it's somewhat of a 50/50 as to if a vet will swing one way or the other!!!

Some dogs have problems if their ears are left hairy, some don't. Some have problems if their ears are plucked, some don't.

Personally, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Many dogs are FINE with hairy ears, and many NEED their ears plucked regularly. Plenty of vets say do NOT pluck the ears, and I'm happy to leave ears hairy (though trimmed!) as long as it's not causing any problems. I'm also happy to pluck ears on those that request it, as long as IT isn't causing any problems (and the dog will tolerate it. They don't have to enjoy it, but I'm not gonna pluck the ears of a screaming dog either!)

I've had groomers be very surprised when I've said leave his ear hair the vet told us to leave it alone. Whenever he's had a lot of plucking he's had problems so you are right, each dog is an individual and you've got to figure out what's right for your dog.

 

[KPoos]

This is the total oppisite of what most vets will tell you. Ear hair in some dogs like those that are in water alot will cause major ear problems if you do not clean them out. Reason is the ear cannel can not dry so yeast builds up. Yeast infection is very common in poodles, cockers and labs. Unless the owner dries the ears after baths and swims look and smell for yeast problems. Infections for ear hair pulling are not that common. But yeast ear from not pulling hair are and hard to get rid of, unlike normal infection.

Actually you can get rid of yeast from the inside out by balancing it out with probiotics added to their diet.