Looking for tips on how to groom your Yorkie?

If so, you've come to the right place. This website will give you step-by-step basic instructions on how to groom a Yorkshire Terrier. It will outline the tools needed, as well as the steps that need to be taken in order to groom your furbaby. This website includes guides on: The basic steps to keeping your Yorkie clean How to bathe your Yorkie How to pick the right shampoo for your Yorkie Once you have finished grooming your Yorkie, the perfect thing to finish them off with is a dog bow. The recommended sizes of dog bow for Yorkies are either a 3/8" dog bow or a 5/8" dog bow, depending on the size of your pup. Also, 3/8" tiny topknots can be worn as ear bows in pairs! Make your Yorkie look smashing with their very own dog bow.

Basic Steps

There are a few basic steps that are involved in grooming your Yorkie and maintaining its coat.

Bathe your Yorkie once a week (See Bathing Your Yorkie below for instructions)

Cut and file your dog's nails after giving them a bath (the warm water will make the nails softer and      easier to trim). Also, by trimming the nails regularly, only the tips will require cutting and filing.

Brush your dog's teeth once a week to reduce tartar buildup (use a pet toothbrush & pet toothpaste)

Clean your Yorkie's ears with a cotton swab and ear cleaning solution after baths

Trim the hair in the ears to reduce the risk of infection

Use a stain remover to remove tear stains around eyes

Trim and wash the area around the anus daily to prevent mats of feces (if the area becomes matted,
     it can become infected and sore, resulting in serious health problems)

Brush your Yorkie's coat daily if it has a long coat (at least twice a week)
     - Use a detangling spray or a mix of water & conditioner to moisten the coat prior to brushing
     - Use a pin brush first, then use the slicker brush to get any missed mats

Make sure your Yorkie gets regular hair cuts


Bathing Your Yorkie

Below you will find a step-by-step guide to bathing your Yorkshire Terrier.

Remove any collars, dog bows, dog barrettes or clothing your Yorkie is wearing.

Gently brush the fur to remove any knots or tangles using a dog comb or brush.

Wet your dog thoroughly.

Squirt shampoo in a thin line down the center of your dog's back (don't apply the shampoo in a swirl
     or zig-zag pattern). Apply as much shampoo as you need at this point, rather than reapplying
     halfway through the procedure.

Work the shampoo down through the hair with your fingers.

Pour water down the middle of your dog's back to rinse it.

You can either use a plastic cup to pour water onto your dog, or you can use a spray nozzle if you
     have one. If you're using the spray nozzle, make sure it's aimed downwards to minimize tangles.

Work the water through your Yorkie's hair until all shampoo is gone.

Apply conditioner to your dog's hair and work it in through the hair with your fingers (just like with the
     shampoo, don't work the conditioner through the hair in a circular or scrunching motion - it will just
     tangle the hair).

Rinse your Yorkie as you did with the shampoo. Again, make sure there are no traces of conditioner
     left, as it can irritate the skin.

Gently dry your dog with a clean towel. Don't completely dry the coat - leave it damp for brushing
     (this prevents hair from breaking while it's being brushed).

If you like, you can use a blow dryer instead of a towel to dry your dog. Again, make sure the hair is
     not completely dry, because it still needs to be brushed.

Gently brush the fur to remove knots.

Finish off the look with a beautiful dog bow. Either a 3/8" dog bow or a 5/8" dog bow would be
     suitable for a Yorkie's topknot, depending on the dog's size. Two 3/8" dog bows would also look
     adorable as a pair of ear bows!


Things to Remember

If your Yorkie has a soft, cottony coat (instead of a silky one), have the coat trimmed in a puppy cut
     for easier maintenance.

When buying a pin brush, don't buy one with balls on the end of the pins (it will break the coat).

Don't brush your Yorkie's coat when it is completely dry. Instead, use a detangling spray or a mix of
     water & conditioner prior to brushing.

Don't use natural bristle brushes.

Remember to only use pet toothpaste (no human toothpaste) when brushing your Yorkie's teeth.


Buying the Right Shampoo

It is important to buy the right shampoo for your furbaby. Below are guidelines on how to make the
right choice.

First, consult your veterinarian to see if your Yorkie has any allergies. Yorkies tend to have very
     sensitive skin. Your vet can tell you which ingredients or shampoos to stay away from based on
     your Yorkie's skin.

Keep in mind your wants & needs when selecting a shampoo. The desired haircut for your Yorkie
     may help you narrow down your choices. For instance, you might look for a shampoo that makes
     the coat silkier if you're planning to grow your Yorkie's hair very long.

Other things you may want to look for when selecting a shampoo: how easy it is to detangle the
     coat, how shiny or silky the coat will be, if it will give enhanced volume, what smell it has, etc.

There are also shampoos designed to keep away fleas. If your dog has a known flea problem, you
     might want to consider one of those shampoos.

Some mid-grade to high-end salon-style human hair products also work (and are often times less
     expensive than dog products). However, if your Yorkie has dry skin, this would not be a good option.

Ingredients to look for:
     - fairly high pH
     - lots of fatty acids
     - vitamins like B5 & E

Avoid unusual colors or too much fragrance.

If you prefer shampoos with natural ingredients, look for aloe vera, tea-tree oil and citrus extracts.




Top it off with a great bow!

BowBiz Dog Bows offers a variety of top quality, handmade bows for all sizes of Yorkies - from puppy to adult. Many assorted, unique styles for all occasions. Top rated and highly recommended.