This bichon is so matted there is No other choice but to shave it down! It takes an experienced groomer to do this.  Sometimes the skin may get irritated from clipping and pulling and may be very itchy. When your pet  goes home they may rub on the carpet and cause their skin to be  red and could cause hotspots.  

 A coat like this has been bathed or got wet many times. The coat has to be brushed out and combed completely before the dog is bathed.

Notice how close we have to shave the coat. Do you see how it peels off  like a sheep? When you bathe a dog with matts and tangles they do not come out after the bath.

Many owners don't know and bathe first then brush. Doing that will cause brush burn which is brushing in the same place too long to get the matts out. Especially if the dog has light and tender skin.

If the dog is wiggley they could get nicked or cut. We do the best we can to assure that don't happen. When a white dog has to be shaved this close their skin is very sensitive and pink. They will get sun burned..

This bichon's tail also has to be shaved. When we shave a matted dog like this it takes time and patients.

Sometimes when your pet goes home after being shaved they will rub on the carpet or scratch and make their skin even more red! The reason for this is because their skin feels different and has been stimulated from clipping and washing.

To avoid this keep an eye on them and don't let them scratch or rub.  An anti-itch spray will help. You can ask your veterinarian for a cream or spray.

If your pet's ears are so matted that they have to be shaved, this could also be a problem.  Sometimes they shake their head (because it feels different) and the weight from the mattes are gone. This could cause a hematoma. Check out this website for pictures  www.thepetcenter.com/sur/hema.html .

Doesn't she look cute!!  She was a very good girl and looks much happier!  Sometimes were not that lucky and they get wiggly and very hard to groom.