Bathing my puppy

[Ida]

How often does everyone bathe their pups. I've had mine for 2 weeks and have not bathed him. I figured i would take him to be groomed in a couple of weeks and have them do it - Again - this is my first Yorkie (which I absolutely adore) and not sure what the proper bath cycle should be. He gives me a tough time when I try to brush him - I need to try a different brush - but I can't imagine bath time - should be fun......Oh and one more thing - lol - do you groom your own - or take them to be groomed - The only thing I'm not thrilled about is where I can take him - they request you leave him there for a few hours. - I'm not sure I want to put him thru that. (or me)

[jwash]

I have two and honestly do not remember when I first took them for grooming. However, before I got mine I bought a book about yorkies and there are a few things I remember. One, do not take your puppy for professional grooming until fully vacinated.It is very important to spend quality time handling a puppy, especially around the face and the paws, they will grow up being used to it and will not "fight" you. Constantly talk to him/her, telling how good they are/look/how proud you are of them, in a soothing voice. This is true, too, for teeth brushing. Use exellent brush products. Work against the fur. They should be brushed daily to get the tangles out; otherwise when you do groom, they might have to cut your furbaby too short. Teeth care is very important as well because yorkies and other toy breeds have problems with early dental issues if not cared for properly. Mine are adults now, I bathe them about every 10 days and found a groomer I like, after several horrible experiences. There is a website for products I like a lot, Chris Christensen, which includes a great shampoo, a "perk up" spray and other things, that do not dry out their coat. I cannot stress enough the bonding of handling your puppy, bathing and brushing can be a really special time, so don't rush to the groomer. When you do get a groomer, talk directly with the groomer, make sure the place is sterile and clean. Find someone who actually knows what a Yorkie should look like,I finally took a picture in after trying 4 different groomers. You can also find groomers who will come to your home, ask your vet and your pet supply company. Sorry this is so long but it is such an important subject. People tell me all the time they do not understand how I can handle my two so easily and I owe it to a yorkie book.

[Pipersmommy]

I never took any of mine to get groomed until they had ALL their shots. I bathed them accordinlly. Piper was covered in poo when we got her, so she got a bath the very same day. Misha was beautiful & very clean when we got her, so I waited about 10 days. Max just had a bath before shipping & he was very clean also. I bathed him a week later.
All 3, their 1st expierence in bath time was on my lap in the tub. I kept a towels on the floor for drying right after. I closed the door so they couldn't run away until they were fully dried with the blowdryer on low heat.
They now get bathed in the tub by themselves with no problems.
Misha & Piper get groomed every 6 weeks. Max I've been grooming him myself until he gets older.
Also jwash gave great advise.

[chele]

oh I wish my oscar coudl go 2 weeks. he's like pigpen after a couple of days he looks nasty and feels grimy and oily. I like for him to get a bath twice a week but in reality it's more like once a week. he hates the hairdryer so we go longer when it's cold but usually u can't stand him for more than a week. He looks soooo neglected by a week even brushing him the hair kinda clumps back together. I have never taken him to a groomer. Honestly I just didnt' trust the ones here with him he was so small and I wasnt' going to leave him. when he got his first bath he was scared to death of the water runing in the tub. I'm not sure what happened to him at the breeders but he wasn't happy about it at all (and he's traumatized from medical tape fror his ears too) we could use the shower head and he was fine so after all that I didnt' think groomers were a good idea for him anyway. He does very well witha bath now and will even let you run the water with him in the bathroom now but I dont' push the issue of a hairdryer.

[Meg]

Once a weekish...

I just pull him in the shower with me when it is time to get him squeaky clean. I didn't go to the groomer until he was totally vaccinated.