Start with one Afghan with heavy juvenile coat, add mud, rain, dirty stream water and foliage = absolute bl**y nightmare - And to top it off she is like a spoilt child who kicks out all the time and winges before I even touch her :rolleyes:  We are now very hot and not enjoying each others company much so I have given up for this evening!  She is knot city Arizona and I dont know where too start next - I didn't bath her prior to grooming 'cos I thought it might make it worse..Any tips guy's?  Is there a doggy conditioner worth using or magic brush I dont know about!  Should I try and remain sympathetic with her or be a little more firm - as I hate giving up, I dont want her to always get her way during grooming sessions - which are becoming less fun as she gets older! (not that they were ever 'fun' mind you!!)
Sarah

Its always best to wet the mat you are trying to remove either with water or if you can find it an anti tangle solution.  You might find one amongst the childrens shampoos as Johnsons used to make one and it was very good for the situation you are now in.  I also find using a slicker brush very gently is the best way of getting into the matt.  Just do a little at a time.  It the matt is very bad try cutting into it with scissors (I don't mean cut it off)   Cut away from the skin so you don't catch her.  I  used to also tease the matt apart with my fingers before brushing.  At the age she is her coat will  be a nightmare but it will come right in the end.

If you haven't got a grooming table with a bar  use a lead and tie her to a door handle or something so that she cant get away and it will leave you with both hands free.  Just be gentle but don't give into her if she puts up a fight only finish when you want to.  Before I got a grooming table I used to lie mine on the floor with my legs over them and just brush away whilst watching tv they used to love it and I would have to turn them over to do the other side as they were so relaxed!

Sue

Yes there are sprays available and special tool to help deal with the mats, take a look at some of the online grooming type outlets. Also make sure you have her on a table to groom and try to do some of the dog each day and don't make the sesions too long. Or you may find it easier to do her when she is laying at your feet.

You are stars :) - I dont have a grooming table, but Sue you are sooo right when you say about needing both hands, so I think I will use her lead attached to something.  I've been called into work this morning :rolleyes: so Lana gets let off until I'm home later - she keeps looking at me as if to say 'get stuffed, your not coming near me!' - she's sooo spoilt that I've noticed she kicks up more of a fuss when her dad is around (he spoils her rotten.)  Like you say Jackie, a little at a time I think.  Think I'll pop out and get some more tools later - Thanks!
Sarah

Put on the collar and lead and tie to a drain pipe or something solid, slip your arms under her tummy from the back and pull her away from the point you tied her to, that way you reduce her ability to move away from you. Pretend groom until she calms down then praise her and treat or play. You will find that there is a tool that is like a comb but each tooth is a small blade that will cut through the mat in the coat, it is hard work and takes time so start with any on her knickers and behind the ear, if she will let you. And make your husband hold her and he will soon know what the problem is. One I had that would not be groomed I put on the ironing board but think an Afghan may be to big to do that, worked for me because he either stood still or fell off, not that I would have let that happen but he did not know that. ;)

Sarah, I always find it best to groom whilst wet. at this puppy/adult stage to be honest I do bath my affies on a fortnightly basis. I think its necessary to do this to keep on top of the coat, and I always bath my pups once every few weeks from the age of 10 weeks, to get them used to it.
This time i would recommend that you divide any large mats by hand, by splitting them lengthways.....dont at this stage try and use a brush or comb. Let Lana recover from this for an hour or so.
Then pop her in the bath and shampoo her coat, rinsing it till it is squeaky clean. Then cover her all over with watered down conditioner. Now lightly rinse the conditioner. towel dry her slightly then brush her. You will find that a good pin brush will take the knots out really easily because of the conditioner. You can then blow dry her.  I have pm d you with my phone number in case you need  any help. I would strongly recommend that you get yourself a grooming table, as you are going to need to start bathing Lana every few weeks now, and it will play havoc with your back.
Cathy. (and Delilah and Zorro) :)

Today's job is grooming my Afghan and my Beardie x.  I have a large raised area in the conservatory which is actually the top of two built in crates.  It is carpeted and about waist height.  Perfect for grooming.  Whilst I prefer to groom them while they stand I let them lie down and just stand them for a last once-over.  I always start at the bottom and the back and move up and forward, that way I am always brushing or combing towards what has already been done.  When Letitia was Lana's age she hated me doing her front legs and would literally scream if I just touched them.   But because she loved her ears being done OH would stroke her ears to counter-balance things whilst I struggled with her front legs. :)  She's fine about it now and usually sleeps through the whole process.  I usually trim away the hair around her delicate bits and the very fine hair on her tummy because if that gets knotted she wouldn't tolerate me combing it out.  I wouldn't bath her unless she is thoroughly groomed first or it will make the knots a lot worse to get out.  I have in the past used a grooming spray to reduce static. I know what you mean about the mud, the rain and the foliage.  Walking in wet grass, the damp seems to creep up her legs all the way to the top and you can almost see stray leaves and brambles, as if they have a mind of their own, saying 'OOH an Afghan - all aboard folks'.  :D

Reading all this lot makes me so grateful I have 3 Staffs and not 3 Afghans or Beardies - nightmare! :-)

Good luck everyone with the grooming, I'm sure your dogs will look utterly gorgeous afterwards!

I choose a non-grooming breed because I do not like grooming but most people with grooming breeds like the process.

Yes Jackie, I love grooming, just wish I had more time to do it though.  Taking a tea break right now and have done both Letitia's back legs and one side of her body and trimmed tummy so have left to do, the other side of body front legs, chest, neck and head.  Beardie all done and the collies are all moulting so they'll all get a quick one except the three that have gone to a show.  I have one smooth coated dog, a lurcher, and I must admit that I sometimes wish they all had his coat. :)

Must say I am inclined to think that grooming should be done with a rubber glove and a chamie (sp) leather.

Thanks everyone - your right Cath, Lana is definately taking up more and more time every week with grooming (obviously :D) - but I think that now is definately the time to get a table, she is such a rascal, jumping in the pond and rolling in...well, I pretend its mud
Thanks
Sarah :)

Have you got an old piece of kitchen worktop that you can put up in the garage or shed???
Batten on the wall and 2 wardrobe hanging rails from B & Q and you're done!!

Cowboy Magic is a miracle detangler, an is avaiable on line at various suppliers, I believe anyother silicone bazsed grooming adie (such as Pet silk) will ease out the knots too.
bey
Gwen

hi rozzer
       there is one tool that will help you and its called Aaronco V-rake its brill and easy to use, but you will have to get it from the net at
www.diamondedgeltd.com hope this help good luck.

Thanks guy's - going to have a good shop on the net tonight :)
Sarah