Dog very depressed after grooming

[Whenlifegivesyoulimoncello]

Dog had rather a big haircut today.

Has been miserable ever since. Usually he’s fine but had to go a bit deeper was a little matted. Does anyone know else’s dog get like this?

As already pointed out. You cannot start a thread on here without providing pictures! It's also an excuse for all of us to post pictures of our beloved pooches.

Oh and I find the slicker brush is the only thing that mades any headway to keeping matts at bay. He doesn't really like the slicker but it he's getting used to it now.

@Poshjock genuine question - what made you decide on that breed and not just get a poodle? I've always wanted to ask why people get these crosses but daren't in real life. Promise I'm not being rude I just really want to know.

My dog was absolutely the same but each time after going to the dog groomers. In lock down I bought dog clippers and learnt to groom her myself from YouTube. I now have a happy dog who will now literally stand or lie down to be groomed & saved myself a fortune!

@Poshjock have obliged (and bough photos are rubbish)

@Happymum12345 honestly I’ve considered it but am terrified of accidentally cutting him

Are you sure he’s just not cold?

I looked after a dog once that should have had a long shiny coat, like a curtain. Due to laziness and neglect by the owner it had all been cut off and I was walking a very shamefaced pointy nosed hound with a short fluffed up coat, she was really unhappy and dejected whereas she had always been a proud looking girl.

To make things worse people kept asking me what she was and looked shocked when I told them, poor dog. So, yes they do get upset at changes. Fortunately they get over it quickly.

I'm a dog groomer and this is really common when a dogs had to be shaved off due to matting. A lot of people don't realise the feeling that matting has on dogs and the change they feel when it comes off can be something they're unsure of. Matting essentially pulls the skin from when it starts to when it comes off so clipping it off is painful for the dog, although shaving it is the most painless way to do it rather than attempting to brush out etc (really glad to see you've acknowledged this, one of the hardest things is trying to explain to an owner who doesn't realise dog is matted).

Because it is painful for them, it can leave them feeling a off and in shock for a couple of days, a mix of the above and also the blood rushing back after the matting is removed as the matts restrict blood flow. Just give them plenty of love and cuddles and they should be back to themselves in a few days.

It's sad to see the jumping to abuse and asking about cuts etc. Removing matting isn't an easy task, it's not on the groomer

[quote MadDoggoLady]@Poshjock genuine question - what made you decide on that breed and not just get a poodle? I've always wanted to ask why people get these crosses but daren't in real life. Promise I'm not being rude I just really want to know.[/quote]
We got him from a family member who couldn't cope with a very large, very bouncy poodle with teenage attitude.

I know he was eye wateringly expensive. They specifically wanted hypoallergenic breed and were advised to go for the F1b because it's 75% poodle and is likely to retain the non shedding fur. Personally I can't understand why not just get a standard poodle? But hey ho. He is an amazing dog and has introduced me to the standard poodle breed after years of labrador ownership. And after a bit of training and guidance through his youth, he has matured into a very stable and obedient, willing and loyal dog.

Thanks Lou - I feel awful that he was matted in the first place! Any tips on avoiding it in the first place? He seems to go from smooth to matter in like a week - and of course while I usually get him groomed every 8 weeks - tbis year it’s been tricky.

@Poshjock ah he does sound lovely! Haha you share my thoughts - the prices of these pups are crackers!

@Whenlifegivesyoulimoncello it is a hard coat type to keep matt free. I personally always recommend using a metal comb, just a basic one for dogs, can get online or any pet shop, I find they're the best thing for getting to the skin rather than just brushing the hair on top which a lot of brushes do, but as the matting starts at the skin they aren't much use.

I would recommend combing every day for about 15mins minimum if you can. If you find it's too much for them doing it all in one day then try do an area a day, so back legs one day, back and belly the next, front legs, head and so on.
Also, I noticed you said above about bathing them. Just be careful with that as if there is already matting starting and it gets wet it will tighten and actually make the matts worse. Always try comb right through before bathing. Same if you're out and they get wet in the rain always try dry off when they get home, either with a towel or hairdryer as leaving it wet can tighten matts too.

Obviously regular grooming is the best thing but like you say it's been a hard year for that so it's to be expected and I do think it's great that you're looking for tips and aren't blaming the groomer, it happens so often, shaving really is the only option when they're matted and the least painful way but so many people bad mouth the groomer and slate them for having to take it short

So use a different brush and/or up the frequency. We had an old cat who actually needed grooming twice a day with one particular grooming tool or she knotted. It’s the price of taking on pets with certain coats I’m afraid.
For our dogs we have to handstrip. I have grooming stones and finger cots and a greyhound comb and a slicker and ...

Ours has never enjoyed being groomed, but these last couple of times he's been very very clingy when he's come back. Literally whinging to be cuddled etc on the way home, it's awful (so much so that I've now started doing him myself)
Anyway...getting to the point...I think it's because this year he's only spent time with our family, nobody else. Working from home has been great and he loves it, and it's not that he doesn't like the groomer it's that he's missing his mummy. Yours might well be the same.

Thanks everyone. I don’t think anything is amiss with the groomer - he was all over her when we left. I think as many said he may feel a little cold and a little odd. @Lou98 gave a great perspective too.

@Wolfiefan it’s hard to describe the coat. I used to have a long haired Persian - and he was a doddle compared to combining by dog. Imagine curly hair that just - doesn’t brush out...

To be fair he rarely does get mattted as I usually have him groomed more often - but it’s been a weird year!
My last dog was a smooth haired breed so it’s all a kearning curve

@Whenlifegivesyoulimoncello We also have an 18 month old Malshi (& previously had a Bichon) & I hear you re: grooming! We have a great groomer & she does our dog every 6 weeks without fail otherwise it's quite impossible. We also have a great brush that beats the rest for regular grooming, I'll try & recall it's name 🤔

I've just sent the link to this thread to my partner as she's had these dogs for years & may be able to say more than me 👍🏻

I suspect he's just a bit cold/stunned after the more severe groom & will come round. They are a sunny breed by nature.

@MrsCalypsoGrant lovely to hear from a fellow malshi owner - they seem to be few and at between!

And he’s generally very happy nature - even in his “gloom after grooming@ he’s taken the opportunity to insist on more cuddles

@Lou98 shaving really is the only option when they're matted and the least painful way but so many people bad mouth the groomer and slate them for having to take it short

It's awful isn't it? The lack of understanding of your own pet's needs. (not getting at the OP here @Whenlifegivesyoulimoncello - I mean the ones who slag off the groomer because they don't understand why a short cut is necessary).

I deliberately keep my boy fairly short, I know he looks cute as buttons when he's long and curly but it's not comfortable for him. When we got him his tail was really long but he never wagged it. It had some severe matting at the roots, some over an inch ball. He wouldn't let us touch his tail at all. He had to get shaved short and after that he wagged openly and often and he doesn't mind his tail being brushed now.

I do own a Wahl pro trimmer and selection of blades. I also do some home grooming, but I would never stop taking him to a groomer because I think its important for him to get that full service often.

And seeing as I’ve talked about him so much. Here is the boy. He’s 2 1/2 yr old.

@Poshjock It dismays me too. All dogs look super cute when all shaggy etc - but it must be so uncomfortable. Were we a groomer asks me about a “style” I always say “just make him comfortable”

Reading dog groomer reviews is a bit like trip advisor / you see someone say “it was way too short” then you see the groomers nice response saying it was matted and they don’t want to cause distress etc.

Malshis matt at the drop of a hat! I'm constantly untangling the beginnings of ones from ours ears. I think its because the hair is so fine and silky.

Yours looks gorgeous.
He probably has the hump because his hair is much shorter and he's feeling colder. They are little heat seekers at the best of times with little undercoat for warmth so I think that's likely the root. I hope he cheers up soon.

@Verv aw thank you. He does like to snuggle and does seeek to like warmth. They are a lovely little overlooked breed I’d say. Very affectionate (if a bit needy in my ones case);

My dog seems to hold grudges. I once accidently stood on him and he refused to sit with me and even look at me for the rest of the day.

Did the groomer trim his nails? Maybe they have trimmed a little too much off one.

A human hairbrush like this can be great for keeping matts at bay. Also dirt cheap.
That said I have a pile of about four brushes for keeping my dog and the boss's matt free.

@Whenlifegivesyoulimoncello There's nothing like a Malshi. Here is ours right now ☺️

Verv (my partner) is right, they matt up constantly. We do snip little bits of fur when they become impossible! Ours does like a good groom with a brush at home - treats it like a cuddle - and even though it doesn't stop all the matting I think it heads at least some of it off from worsening