In a bit of a pickle - show poodle grooming supplies delayed in delivery! matts beginning to form

[esmerelda]

Sigh I am in a bit of a pickle.

I have a European miniature poodle who is being prepped to make her debut in the FCI show ring this May. I had her on a schedule of weekly maintenance bath (I do all grooming myself).

The last time I did this was 1 1/2 week ago, maybe even 2 weeks ago. I shampooed twice, conditioned, blowdryed etc. I also banded her entire topline.

Now a week delay in bathing doesn't sound too bad. Except she is in coat change and the moment the hair gets a little dirty it starts to tangle, then matt like crazy. I do use a coat saving satin collar on her but I can feel that the hair sections that are banded in the section that goes under the collar is not doing good...

Her topline is what she needs to grow the most in order to have a balanced scandinavian cut ready for the ring in May.

I don't like to brush out the topline unless she is completely clean. I often shampoo her, put good amount of conditioner in, brush her out, back in tub, rinse, shampoo and condition again.

Our last bath depleted our shampoo and conditioner supply completely because my girl had had a lot of fun in nature and had literally hundreds of little seeds and other nature debris stuck in her fur. The only way to get it out without hurting her was to make her fur as slippery as possible. I didn't worry because I had already thought ahead and put in a order for more supplies.

The problem is that I thought that I had timed the ordering of the delivery of more shampoo and grooming product well. But probably because of the holidays my new delivery has been delayed!! it could be another week!

I have literally nothing! the only thing I have is CC ice on ice conditioner. I don't even have a damn spray bottle because my old one had given up on life from overuse and my new one is in the same order as the shampoo and several different types of conditioners...

So what do I do? do I remove the bands and attempt to detangle despite the hair being dirty?

or do I leave them and wait for my delivery, allowing the hair to tangle even more but hope that the new products will protect the topline when I brush and bathe next time?

Edit/Update

Thank you everyone for your kind and very helpful advice!!

Also thank you for talking me out of brushing her topline without washing her!

So I have plan A, B and C

A - contact local groomers and see if they can help me out

B - Check my local petstore for half decent product to use (possibly deshedding shampoo)

C - use human shampoo and conditioner (pantene and/or curly hair specific)

I am determined to groom her either tonight or tomorrow night. I can't let her go on like this. Not just because she is a show poodle but also because the more tangle she gets the more uncomfortable she will be when its time for brushing. I don't want to cause her discomfort or pain.

 

[123456christian]

@esmerelda Do you know of any groomers or poodle people in your area that might have some shampoo and conditioner you can use? Offer to pay for the product of course. Depending on the salon, them might allow you to bathe her there for a small fee. A local grooming group might be your best bet if you don't know anyone.

You could also look to see if there are grooming supply stores near you. You may be able to pick up and avoid shipping costs.

Dollar stores (not sure of the equivalent where you are) may sell spray bottles. Not the greatest things, but they do work in a pinch.

 

[esmerelda]

@123456christian I am a newbie but I have been getting to know the poodle people in my country. They have all been super welcoming but they don't live close to me and I don't drive. But I will certainly keep your advice in mind for plan B (I am hoping to be able to source products tonight after work so I can do a grooming this evening).

 

[somewherewithoutdanger]

@esmerelda If I were you I would probably go to a pet supply store and see what you can pick up there. Obviously not ideal, but if you read ingredients you might at least be able to find a conditioner you felt comfortable with. That would cause less damage than trying to brush dry, dirty hair.

 

[esmerelda]

@somewherewithoutdanger Thank you, I am going to do that after work. The pet stores are awful though for grooming products. They are good for food, treats and toys. Even the boutique one nearby that has lots of variety of organic treats and chews. But the grooming aisle is still horrendous. I have the same issue when sourcing materials for my gerbils and hamster. I always have to order rodent supplies and grooming supplies online.

 

[rachelr15]

@esmerelda I would second the suggestion of calling local shops to see if they have anything on hand to get you through till your shipment comes in. In a pinch I've used curly specific human shampoo and conditioner on my show boy. I found it usually leaves them a tad greasier then dog specific ones do but that's only a problem if you are wanting to scissor them up after the bath. Do not try and brush or detangle dirty coat. It will only end in heartbreak.

 

[esmerelda]

@rachelr15 Thank you!

regarding the detangling of dry dirty hair I know! I was so tempted last night. My fingers itched to take out the banding and try and fix the disaster (its also been raining which just makes the situation even worse!).

Thanks for the tip about human curly hair shampoo, if the petshop doesn't have anything decent I will look into that after work tonight. I won't scissor her after, there is no need. The main thing is getting the hair detangled. I can then do a proper full groom with a bit of trimming once I have my proper products.

 

[littlemiracle7]

@esmerelda I'd find out what brands you approve of that a local groom shop might carry and call around and see if you can buy enough to get you by. Depends on how groomers are in your area I guess but I'd be willing to do that at my shop, and we have some show quality brands

 

[esmerelda]

@littlemiracle7 Thank you, if I can't find anything in the shops today I will call my local groomers tomorrow. Unfortunately my favourite groomer moved away. Otherwise I would have already reached out to her. I don't know the other ones, hopefully they will be able to help me out.

 

[tonycolors]

@esmerelda If you’re near any pet stores, look for a gentle moisturizing shampoo you can use while you wait for the shipment. If you aren’t near any pet stores, use human shampoo. Check with poodle people first, but I’ve had great luck with Pantene on my afghan hound and my bearded collie. I keep travel sizes on me for emergency baths when we are away from home since it’s better than hotel shampoo. Afghan hounds have SUPER fragile hair that needs to be brushed while damp and clean and the Pantene works just fine. I keep her in show coat.