What is explained below is more for the Pet Silky and home grooming so your Pet can look like the guys at the Dog Show.

A Silky should be bathed ‘when dirty’. Some dogs, especially a young dog, may need a bath more often due to what they may find to ‘get into’. Sometimes a very thorough brushing will suffice until you can get around to the bathing. Also, remember to use a conditioner after shampooing and always, always rinse thoroughly! Take care with your dog’s ears – don’t get too much water down the ear canal. It isn’t necessary to ‘blow dry’ the hair unless the weather is cold or you are preparing for a Dog Show. It is necessary to keep the Silky out of the ‘dirt’ until dry! If let loose in the yard, they will most likely find the ‘best smelling’ thing they can find to roll on and make sure they ‘smell’ good!

It isn’t always necessary to brush a Silky every day (but this can become a pleasurable time for both Silky and owner) but they should be brushed between baths. If not, the hair will become tangled just as yours would if not brushed! If you think of the Silky's coat much as you would your own hair, you should have no trouble taking proper care and having a nice looking dog.

The nails, teeth and ears should be taken care of at bath time. Always check your dog's ears for excess hair down in the ear canal. If there is a lot of hair and it becomes wet, this can be a great place for bacteria to grow. There is ear powder available to help dry out the ears and this powder will also allow you to be able to ‘hold onto’ the hairs and pull them out. But just pull a little at a time. The nails are easier clipped when softened by bathing and I know very few Silkys that like having their toenails clipped! Always have some Quick Stop (blood clotting agent) on hand as Silky toenails are very quick to bleed and this will come in handy to stop the bleeding. When your dog is young get them used to having their teeth taken care of. Please check your dog's teeth and have the Vet clean them on a regular basis if necessary.

Now, as to actually grooming or clipping of hair. The Silky should have a ‘clean’ ear – free of long hair. Some will have much more hair than others. You can use small animal clippers, mustache trimmers etc. to clean the excess hair from the front as well as the back of the ear if necessary.

The feet should be free of excessively long hair. You can take a pair of scissors and trim off some of the excess up to about ‘ankle’ high – be sure to clean the back side and between the pads as well.

A Silky has a strong character. You must tell him and show him what it is you wish to do and be FIRM about it. If you lose control, don’t get upset but put aside the grooming until another time. After all, this is a little dog but he will try your patience ~ one good reason to start a routine early in the dog's life and keep at it on a regular time schedule. Even though some of these things may not need to be done to the very young puppy you have, if you start now, when the time comes that it is required, he will be totally used to the routine.

Tools Needed: natural bristle brush, pin brush, metal comb, toenail clippers, scissors (straight & thinning is good) and a clipper is you wish to use these instead of scissors. shampoo & conditioner, ear powder, Quick Stop, cotton balls, towel.