Your Yorkiepoo's hair may never get as long as a full-blooded Yorkshire terrier's, but because she comes from both poodle and Yorkie stock, her hair needs grooming every couple of weeks. Those Yorkie genes make your little canine's hair fine, which means you can't shampoo her like most dogs.
Step 1
Brush your Yorkiepoo's hair thoroughly, then comb through it to assure that no tangles or knots are present at all.
Step 2
Place your dog into the sink and wet down her fur, beginning with her neck and moving back to her tail, chest, legs and belly. Take care around her head and face so you don't get water in her eyes or ears. You can use a large drinking glass or a small pitcher for this task, but using a sprayer—if your kitchen sink is equipped with one—is easiest.
Step 3
Apply the shampoo to your palms and rub it around a bit with some water to start the lathering process before you put it on your dog.
Step 4
Rub the lather onto your Yorkiepoo starting with her back and working up to her neck and chest, then work back down to her tail before sudsing up her legs and tummy. Don't work the lather in a circular motion, as that can cause tangles and mats. Instead, work the shampoo into your dog's fur using a gentle back-and-forth action with your fingertips, almost as if you were scratching an itch.
Step 5
Wet the washcloth with fresh warm water and wring it out before you use it to carefully and gently wipe off your pup's face around her eyes, her muzzle and her ears.
Step 6
Rinse your Yorkiepoo thoroughly, starting at her neck and working back to her tail before rinsing her chest, legs and stomach, just as you did when you started. You may need to rinse her more than once to make sure you get all the shampoo out of her hair; the water running off her body should look clear and contain no soap bubbles.
Step 7
Place one of the towels over your Yorkiepoo while she is still in the sink, and blot off as much water as you can. Don't rub the towel around, as that can encourage her hair to mat. Just press the towel gently onto your dog to draw the water out of her fur.
Step 8
Place a fresh towel on your dog, remove her from the sink and set her onto another dry towel, continuing to blot the water from her fur.
Step 9
Allow your Yorkiepoo to shake (yes, you'll get a little wet, too) and then begin drying her with the hair dryer set to a low heat (not cold or cool) setting. Use the brush as you dry her to discourage tangles and to help with the drying process.
References
Tips
- Using the right temperature is essential. If the water is too hot it will hurt your pup, and if it is too cold she can catch a chill. Test the water on the inside of your arm, near your wrist, and try to match it to your body temperature to ensure that it is comfortable for your pooch.
- If you're using a sprayer, turn the water on only halfway so that the water pressure from the sprayer doesn't hurt her delicate skin.
- When using a hair dryer on your dog, wave the nozzle back and forth so that the heat isn't blowing directly on any one patch of her skin for long. Take your time and make sure your Yorkiepoo is thoroughly dried all over—legs, belly, armpits—before you finish.
Writer Bio
Elle Di Jensen has been a writer and editor since 1990. She began working in the fitness industry in 1987, and her experience includes editing and publishing a workout manual. She has an extended family of pets, including special needs animals. Jensen attended Idaho and Boise State Universities. Her work has appeared in various print and online publications.