Sheltie owners develop their own individual grooming methods that work best for them and give them the desired results for their particular dogs. You can learn more tips on how to groom your Sheltie by talking with other Sheltie owners, Shelties breeders, groomers, and show handlers.
Some people like to groom their dogs while sitting on the floor, but most people find it more convenient to sit on a chair and groom their pet while it is on a grooming table. Working on a table top makes it possible to work in various positions at a comfortable level, without bending or stooping.
Table Training
You can start training your Sheltie to be groomed on a table when he is a puppy, after he has learned the commands sit and down. Later, when he has had more training, he can also learn to stand on the table.
Begin by having your Sheltie lie on his side on the table. Praise him as you gently brush him with a soft brush. If you need him to stand while you brush him, hold him with your hand lightly between the rear legs so if he tries to move or sit down, you can bring him back to a standing position. Handle his head, ears, feet, and mouth.
Your puppy must become used to this handling so you can check his eyes, clean his ears, trim his toenails, and brush his teeth routinely. In a short time, you can introduce your puppy to the spray bottle so he can get used to the sound it makes. When he is used to the spray bottle, you can use it to lightly dampen his coat when you brush it, as necessary.
Every time you groom your Sheltie, check his eyes to make sure they are clear. Using a soft, clean, damp cloth, gently clean around the eyes and remove any discharge or dirt that has accumulated in the inner corners. Check that the lid margins are not swollen and that there is no material dried in the eyelashes.
Use a clean, soft, damp, cloth to clean the corners of the nostrils where dirt may accumulate. Dampen a cotton ball with a gentle ear cleaner. Ear solutions containing alcohol or other irritating substances that burn should be avoided. Clean the inside of the ears carefully. Do not allow liquid to run down into the ear canal. Do not push cotton swabs down your pet’s ear canals.
Make the first grooming training sessions short, just a few minutes. Extend the time period a little longer each session. Always end on a happy note and praise your puppy. Give him a treat for good behavior. It won’t be long before your Sheltie learns the routine and is eager for you to lift him onto the table to be brushed again!
Never leave your puppy unsupervised on the grooming table! He could fall off and injure himself.