Grooming Tips from "The Coat Queen" ....
If you keep your Havanese in a puppy cut you will have minimal grooming and maintance issues with their coat. I enjoy the grooming my Havanese show coats require, I tend to brush everyone 2-3 times a week, it gives me time to pamper each of my babies one on one.
I also love to watch them as they run and play in the yard and gardens, with the wind blowing their coats all around.
Basic Supplies:
You will need to have a few basic tools to maintain these georgeous coats, a pin brush, a good metal comb with medium and fine teeth, a good quality nail clipper. I have used both nail clippers, and grinders on my Gang's nails. If you use a nail grinder you must use extreme caution because that long coat can easily catch up in the grinding wheel and become a big tangle very quickly. One advantage to using a nail grinder is that you usually do not have any accidents in cutting the nail to short, and I have never had any bleeding because I cut the Quick. In the event that you do cut the quick, I want to caution you that it will bleed profusely, you should be prepared to apply QuickStop steipic powder/gel to the affected nail ASAP. I use a q-tip dipped in a little water, then in the steipic powder and apply it to the nail. They now also have a Stypic gel, works great and eliminates the need to have water handy. This works very quickly to stop the bleeding.
Bathing and Brushing:
I always use dilute solutions of shampoo and conditioner (Pantene Smooth) for bathing my Gang. After their baths I follow with a basic hairdryer, on low heat / warm air setting when drying them, the pin brush, and finish them with a comb out. It is important to keep the dryer moving so that you do not burn their delicate skin. The Havanese coat should never be washed with out being blown dry, to avoid the formation of matts. You should also have a spray bottle, that you can fill with a soluton of very diluted conditioner and water, to lightly spray on the coat for brushing between bathing. The Havanese coat should always be brushed in layers, which is made easier if your dog is relaxed and calm on the grooming table.
If you are intimidated by grooming and maintaining those long show coats, never fear you can always find a good groomer who will be happy to help you keep your Havanese in top condition. With regular appointments a puppy cut is easy to maintain, and also requires less brushing in between haircuts.
Mat Work:
When putting in their ponytails I use the small children's wrapped elastic bands, they come in a variety of colors and keep the ponytails in without breaking the hair. In case the hair becomes matted, the matts can be removed with alot of patience, your comb and some conditioner or Argon Oil. I spray the conditioner or Argon Oil on the matt and work it in a bit. Then with my comb I start working on the matt trying to break it up into several sections. Work on each section, from the edge of the matt in toward the skin spraying on more conditioner as needed, combing just a little bit at a time, until you have worked it out completely. Please remember one thing..... Little matts left unattended become Big matts, and are painful when they pull on the delicate Havanese skin!! In the event of large thick matts, you may want to seek out professional help from a groomer in your area.
Smiles:
Those Havanese smiles would not be the same without dental care! I start my puppies off with a little chicken flavor pet toothpaste, on a finger wrapped in gauze. Rubbing the gums with the gauze allows me to get to all the surfaces of their teeth, and gets them used to having their teeth cleaned. You can change over to a soft tooth brush as they get older. For the older dogs I use a little Baking soda on a wet gauze which works great to clean and polish those pretty "Pearly Whites"!
General Conditioning:
Spend your evenings snuggling with your puppy, touching their feet and ears, and checking their teeth so they become used to basic grooming needs. You will also need to Pluck the hair from the inside of your puppy's ears, this helps to keep the ears clear, and allows for the air to circulate which should minimize any potential for ear infections. Your puppy will begin to learn to lie on his side on the grooming table for brushing before leaving for your home. The Havanese is a portable breed and they will tolerate grooming on a sturdy table or counter. It is easier for both of you if the puppy learns a tolerate grooming in a relaxing manner. Remember to always give your puppy alot of praise when he behaves as you expect him to. Treats always work well..... Our Gang will always WAIT for their Treats after a grooming session.
Pest Control
We use Advantix II for our flea and tick control. Because we do not have a severe problem with fleas and an occasional problem with ticks (usually only when the rabbits have ventured under the fence and into the dog yard) I tend to apply the Advantix about every 6 weeks. In the case of fleas and ticks the cost of prevention is worth a million bucks, because the cost and time to treat a severe infestation is astronomical!! I also use Diatomacous Earth in their food 2-3 times a week every month for control of intestinal parasites. It has minimal taste and my Gang do not seem to mind it. Using the DE has kept my Gang parasite free and it lets me avoid giving medications I do not need to give.
Links for grooming supplies:
https://www.petedge.com
https://DrsFosterSmith.com
https://www.1800petmeds.com
I also love to watch them as they run and play in the yard and gardens, with the wind blowing their coats all around.
Basic Supplies:
You will need to have a few basic tools to maintain these georgeous coats, a pin brush, a good metal comb with medium and fine teeth, a good quality nail clipper. I have used both nail clippers, and grinders on my Gang's nails. If you use a nail grinder you must use extreme caution because that long coat can easily catch up in the grinding wheel and become a big tangle very quickly. One advantage to using a nail grinder is that you usually do not have any accidents in cutting the nail to short, and I have never had any bleeding because I cut the Quick. In the event that you do cut the quick, I want to caution you that it will bleed profusely, you should be prepared to apply QuickStop steipic powder/gel to the affected nail ASAP. I use a q-tip dipped in a little water, then in the steipic powder and apply it to the nail. They now also have a Stypic gel, works great and eliminates the need to have water handy. This works very quickly to stop the bleeding.
Bathing and Brushing:
I always use dilute solutions of shampoo and conditioner (Pantene Smooth) for bathing my Gang. After their baths I follow with a basic hairdryer, on low heat / warm air setting when drying them, the pin brush, and finish them with a comb out. It is important to keep the dryer moving so that you do not burn their delicate skin. The Havanese coat should never be washed with out being blown dry, to avoid the formation of matts. You should also have a spray bottle, that you can fill with a soluton of very diluted conditioner and water, to lightly spray on the coat for brushing between bathing. The Havanese coat should always be brushed in layers, which is made easier if your dog is relaxed and calm on the grooming table.
If you are intimidated by grooming and maintaining those long show coats, never fear you can always find a good groomer who will be happy to help you keep your Havanese in top condition. With regular appointments a puppy cut is easy to maintain, and also requires less brushing in between haircuts.
Mat Work:
When putting in their ponytails I use the small children's wrapped elastic bands, they come in a variety of colors and keep the ponytails in without breaking the hair. In case the hair becomes matted, the matts can be removed with alot of patience, your comb and some conditioner or Argon Oil. I spray the conditioner or Argon Oil on the matt and work it in a bit. Then with my comb I start working on the matt trying to break it up into several sections. Work on each section, from the edge of the matt in toward the skin spraying on more conditioner as needed, combing just a little bit at a time, until you have worked it out completely. Please remember one thing..... Little matts left unattended become Big matts, and are painful when they pull on the delicate Havanese skin!! In the event of large thick matts, you may want to seek out professional help from a groomer in your area.
Smiles:
Those Havanese smiles would not be the same without dental care! I start my puppies off with a little chicken flavor pet toothpaste, on a finger wrapped in gauze. Rubbing the gums with the gauze allows me to get to all the surfaces of their teeth, and gets them used to having their teeth cleaned. You can change over to a soft tooth brush as they get older. For the older dogs I use a little Baking soda on a wet gauze which works great to clean and polish those pretty "Pearly Whites"!
General Conditioning:
Spend your evenings snuggling with your puppy, touching their feet and ears, and checking their teeth so they become used to basic grooming needs. You will also need to Pluck the hair from the inside of your puppy's ears, this helps to keep the ears clear, and allows for the air to circulate which should minimize any potential for ear infections. Your puppy will begin to learn to lie on his side on the grooming table for brushing before leaving for your home. The Havanese is a portable breed and they will tolerate grooming on a sturdy table or counter. It is easier for both of you if the puppy learns a tolerate grooming in a relaxing manner. Remember to always give your puppy alot of praise when he behaves as you expect him to. Treats always work well..... Our Gang will always WAIT for their Treats after a grooming session.
Pest Control
We use Advantix II for our flea and tick control. Because we do not have a severe problem with fleas and an occasional problem with ticks (usually only when the rabbits have ventured under the fence and into the dog yard) I tend to apply the Advantix about every 6 weeks. In the case of fleas and ticks the cost of prevention is worth a million bucks, because the cost and time to treat a severe infestation is astronomical!! I also use Diatomacous Earth in their food 2-3 times a week every month for control of intestinal parasites. It has minimal taste and my Gang do not seem to mind it. Using the DE has kept my Gang parasite free and it lets me avoid giving medications I do not need to give.
Links for grooming supplies:
https://www.petedge.com
https://DrsFosterSmith.com
https://www.1800petmeds.com
