Help with washing puppy's face.

[Robinonaspade]

Can anyone suggest any tips on how I can wash / wipe our 7month old cavapoos face? She has tearstains around her eyes that are causing the fur to clump together.

She has only been with us a month from a rescue centre, is a lovely nature but is very skittish and giddy although is settling... A little!

I've tried small treats in one hand, wet cloth in the other, I'm not quick enough! My best tactic so far is holding a longer chew or jerky, with a little more success.

However, going forward, I'd really like to keep on top of the tear stains as the fur clumps and impairs her vision, so any tips for a new owner will be greatly appreciated.

The fur between her eyes is particularly clumpy, yet im struggling to get at it without startling her. Just taking it slowly and few minutes at a time when she's calmer.

She has been to the dog groomers, as she was in a terrible state when we picked her up. She's a lot tidier, but realise that regular washing will be the way forward.

If anyone has any hints fir me, no matter how obvious they are, please share!

Thanks.

I would use a flannel and dip into the cleaner, wash. Then ring cloth and repeat until clean.

It takes them a while to get used to it!

Thank you, thats my strategy at the moment. It's reassuring to hear it takes a while for them to get used to it 😊I just wondered if I was missing something obvious though!

We just use the shower and a soft flannel . It’s not ddog favourite thing but it gets it done quickly

Tearstains aren't the worst thing in the world, and don't really present a welfare issue (unlike matts).

Have a look at co-operative care - the idea being that by giving your dog choice and control (and the right to say no!), over time they're more likely to be happy with whatever it is that you need to do.

Wash gently with a flannel & specific tear stain remover, lots to choose from.
Keep the clumps at bay by gently brushing daily with a small, soft child’s toothbrush bring careful not to touch the eye itself. Give a treat when you’ve finished.

Oh, & to help prevent the worst of tear stains don’t use a plastic water dish, use stainless steel or pottery & instead of water straight from the tap get one of the inexpensive filter jugs to put the tap water through.

Thank you for all the tips, I will give them a try a great help.

I am especially wary of doing too much too soon with her as she's still finding her feet and settling. I really don't want to stress her out, so I'm only trying when she's calm.

I've had a quick google of cooperative dog care. Looks really interesting. Teaching the chin rest would be really useful when she's settled, make grooming a whole lot easier, not to mention checking her over.

Thank you for all the help. We've already dug out our old filter jug (just got to locate the spare cartridges next) and found an unused kids toothbrush in the bathroom cabinet, so feeling more prepared!

Will be looking at a comb for tangles too as suggested by the groomer, so think we should be ready for lots of practice😊