Long hair dog covered in grass seeds!

[KingKhazi]

We have had our dog for about 6 weeks. She's a 5 year old havanese who was puppy farmed. As a result she's very nervous and has yet to go to the groomers, so has some matts.

She got spooked on a walk yesterday and ran off into some thick undergrowth. She's now covered in grass seeds. Managed to get lots of her last night but she's still covered. Due to the matts they are hard to remove from her feet and under her armpits (do dogs have armpits??)

Any suggestions on removing them? If I felt she would tolerate it and not set her back further, I'd take her to groomers but I just don't think she'd accept it and she's come on so much in the 6 weeks we've had her. She only really trusts me and wants to be by my side constantly.

A difficult one as the grass seeds do need to be removed asap. They can cause real issues if left.

It may be worth taking to the vet and considering medication or sedation to get her groomed and mats removed initially which would then give you time to desensitise to grooming so it does not need to happen again.

Tbh, the matting needs removing anyway, they’ll be at best uncomfortable and possibly really painful and the longer they’re there the worse they’ll get.

You can either try her at a groomers, talk to them first so they know the background and see how they get on.

Get the vet to sedate her and clip her.

Or try yourself.

Is there any food that she really really likes?
Take your time and sit with her. Try a licky mat or something similar and keep going with it until done.
Mine hates it too but it's got to be done and made more bearable with food and a lot of stop and start.

Ask around for a recommendation of groomers who have experience with rescue dogs and nervous dogs.

The best one round here does a slow introduction where the dog visits the groomers very regularly over a longer time period but they build up how much they do.
The first few visits are popping in for a treat while the clippers are on making a noise but not being used.

You need her seen by a groomer or vet very soon honestly. They’ll be able to assess how urgently the matts need addressing. And grass seed too can travel under the skin and end up needing vet care. Neither of these are problems you can avoid.

Why wait for a groomer? Get a comb, a matt splitter, some detangler / conditioner spray and get started on her. The matts aren't comfy and will only get worse. The seeds wont be as hard to remove if the matts were gone.

If she's never been to a groomer before, getting used to a brushing with you is going to be a lot easier on your dog than having a stranger do it.

Going to a groomer is all well and good, but you need to do some maintenance during the interim.

I feel your pain - I have a double coated breed who loves running around the undergrowth, shes either full of mud in the winter or seeds in the summer. 10 - 15 minutes a day grooming is all it takes (I keep the grooming bag next to the couch so when she climbs up for a cuddle i can grab it and give her a quick going over).

I have a set of nail scissors which I use to chop down (to split) or cut out any matts. It's not noisy or painful and it's quick. She is a fluffy poodle mix and matts on her ears, armpits, feet and tail.

She doesn't love it so we need one person fussing her and one person working quickly. I have thick hair myself so I am good at brushing out knots without pulling!

It's been a slow process with grooming. She doesn't like it but she will Matt and you need to check for grass seeds, ticks and sticky balls every day.

It takes time, she is pretty trusting now and will even come and sit on my knee for a proactive ear comb (not tail though - we keep that short). Matts are really painful and uncomfortable for dogs. They can pull the skin and cause bleeding. I think groomers are rightfully calling out owners who have matted dogs on TikTok as neglectful.

I would start by snipping down the matts so they are not stretching any skin and just picking out grass seeds with your fingers. Just a few mins here and there so it's not overwhelming

I would take her to the vet and get her shaved under sedation. Get rid of all the seeds and knots and matts and then start getting her used to the grooming process once she's no longer pain (which she will be if she's matted).

You honestly don't have time to faff about getting her used to being groomed now - grass seeds can cause loads of issues if they're left on her so it's a matter of getting her dealt with as soon as possible.

Please take her to a professional groomer! (Not the PAH type place!)

An experienced groomer will be able to make her feel at ease and will gently remove the mutts.

Obviously going to the vets and have het clipped under sedation is kind of ladt resort!

I would cut the seedy matts out. Short-bladed curved scissors are excellent for this. She'll look a mess until she has had a proper trim but grass-seeds can work their way inside.

I use a matt spiltter (double coated dog ) and if needed just use find scissors to cut out matts and then go through her coat with a good undercoat rake.
But I echo others.. if she's matted, book a sedated groom and get them to shave her and start afresh. My brother has a havanese and while he looks gorgeous when he's longer, they have him clipped short in the summer because of seeds... a proper grass seed can work its way into the body and cause horrible damage.

Congrats on your dog.. havanese are dear little dogs!

You need a dematting comb. It cuts through the matts as you brush.

Horse mane and tail detangler is good for preventing future build up.

The best person to groom her is you, she trusts you.
Arm yourself with treats, our Ddog loves omelette, get the right tools and get her used to you handling her. This is more important than walks. A few 5 min sessions a day should get her sorted. Otherwise, go to the vets and get help.

Check inside her ears. Had a bad experience with a stray grass seed stuck in my dogs ear and massive surgery to have it removed.

Definitely get those mats removed asap.

I find a tangle teezer (cheapo knock off one) does the job really well, with some mane and tail detangler spray.

I have a spaniel so every day looks like this....🙄