Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Forum:
Grooming and obedience

Hi, We are looking for a good groomer in the southern Rhode Island area who knows how to handle and to groom a lively Wheaten terrier. This week our current groomer sheared our dog completely because she said he was too knotted. Granted he missed two weeks of brushing while in the kennel, but I still think there might have been a less drastic approach.

I wonder how long before he begins to resemble anything close to a Soft-coated Wheaten again.

Also wondering if anyone else has experienced behavior problems with their wheatie when visitors are around. We seem to have a lose of control when company arrives.

Any ideas or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Ann

Wish I could help you with a groomer idea, but as for the losing control when company comes, I know what you mean! Our wheaten just cant stop himself from jumping up on people. He LOVES them. The only thing we have found that helps is to insist on lying down in his corner for the first several minutes (down, stay command). After the initial excitement wears off, he is much more manageable. If you havent been to obedience school with the dog, you might think about it. A trainer can teach you how to insist on commands when company comes. Good luck!

Hi Ann

I too live in RI and have a great 11month old Wheaten. I take her to be groomed by a girl near the airport. She is wonderful with dogs and seems to know her stuff. Our Shelby also had to be shaved due to matting and I comb her almost every day. She was so knotted underneath there is no way she could have been comfortable. Jackie said when she shaved her it came off in one piece, it was like Shelby was wearing a fur coat. It was strange at first to see her so skinny, she looked like a little lamb but she is pretty fuzzy now. That was about 6 weeeks ago. Where is RI do you live and where did you get your Wheaten? I would like to get another to keep Shelby company.

I have heard of a good trainer in the Coventry area. Would you like me to get her name for you? Let me know. Shelby does get excited when company comes but she settles down quickly. Keep in touch

Unfortunately, if the coat is badly matted there is little choice but to have it sheared off. Theoretically, you could find a groomer who would be willing to spend the 6 hours to demat a wheaten, but that would cost you a TON of money. And frankly, most groomers dont have the patience. Remeber, there are at least a dozen other dogs there who need hair cuts too.

With careful maintenance you can avoid this from happening in the future. Remember, just because a wheaten looks well groomed doesnt mean he IS well groomed. They have a lot of hair to hide tangles behind. The best way to brush a wheaten, in my experience, is to slicker brush the hair in the opposite direction it grows. Then use a "greyhound comb" to comb a layer of hair in the normal direction of growth, making sure you get the hair all the way to THE SKIN! Once that layer is done comb down a little bit more. It takes a long time, but your dog wont mat! It makes my groomer happy, and my wallet happy when its t

Thanks to all for your quick response to my questions. Appreciate the good advice and the grooming suggestions. I certainly will try anything to avoid any further matting problems.

Thanks to all for your quick response to my questions. Appreciate the good advice and the grooming suggestions. I certainly will try anything to avoid any further matting problems.