by Sasha Riess | 06.06.26. | Coat Care
Dragana has a Bichon and wants to know what she should do to prevent matting. She has been warned that a Bichon must be brushed regularly or the coat will tangle, and she was even frightened with claims that wounds can develop beneath mats. These are common concerns among owners of this breed.
Proper Routine and the Bichon
A proper routine includes regular bathing and brushing exclusively during the drying and blow-drying process. Brushing is not dismissed as an idea, it is simply moved to another phase of the dog’s care. In this phase, you achieve a healthier, well-maintained coat, and your relationship with the dog improves significantly. What is the value of an unmatted coat if the dog is unhappy?
With an unhappy dog, it is impossible to build a good relationship if the dog approaches you out of fear or because it is being bribed with food. Only professional groomers can develop a comfortable dry-brushing technique in which both the person and the Bichon feel at ease. When the coat is dry and brushed incorrectly, the process is painful, and the hair tangles more than it is actually brushed out. Because the Bichon’s coat is very dense, with a thick undercoat and curls, maintaining it with dry brushing is extremely difficult.
The Importance of Blow-Drying and Equipment
Brushes used during blow-drying must be of precise quality, firmness, and pin shape so they can penetrate the coat correctly. That is why I repeatedly emphasize how important it is to bathe a Bichon regularly and, as part of that routine, brush only during blow-drying.
How often this should be done depends on age, nutrition, and lifestyle, but it can generally be carried out every 5, 7, or 10 days. An adult dog that is maintained regularly can be bathed every 10 to 15 days, with mandatory use of both shampoo and conditioner. Conditioner further supports proper coat growth and helps keep it clean. Remember, brushing only during blow-drying. This eliminates the fear of matting and provides the dog with a higher quality of life.
The key to success: Bichon brushing brings results only during the blow-drying process.
Why Do Wounds Develop in Bichons?
It is true that when the coat becomes matted, wounds can form beneath the mats. Because the Bichon has a dense undercoat, oxygen cannot reach the skin. Lack of oxygen, combined with moisture and a body temperature of about 38°C, creates ideal conditions for bacteria to develop, infect the skin, and cause painful sores. Proper hydration and correct drying technique are the best forms of prevention.
At Sasha Riess, we advocate for grooming methods that respect both canine anatomy and psychology. Shifting care to wet-brushing ensures your Bichon lives a life of comfort and pureloveandharmony. Protect their skin: Linktree Sasha Riess
by Sasha Riess | 05.06.26. | Coat Care
When we speak about alopecia in dogs, we usually think of hair loss. However, what we are discussing today is a systemic problem of the immune system, a conceptual disorder in which the skin becomes thickened and oily. This is not simply a matter of hair falling out. The real problem is that new hair cannot grow because it cannot break through the barrier of thickened skin.
A Systemic Problem, Not Just an Aesthetic One
Hair follicles stop functioning not because they are destroyed, but because they are waiting for the right conditions, for the skin to become soft and permeable again.
This is an immune response of the body that requires a deeper approach than ordinary anti-hair loss shampoos. Understanding this shift is essential for any dog owner dealing with chronic skin issues.
A Holistic Protocol: The Path to Recovery
For conditions like alopecia in dogs, there is a holistic protocol that addresses the cause, not only the symptom. Statistics show that 80 percent of people who consistently follow holistic protocols manage to restore the health of their pet’s skin. The remaining 20 percent often do not succeed because the process requires time, discipline, and an understanding of the systemic nature of the condition.
My protocol includes several key pillars:
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Bathing protocol: Specific care that softens the skin.
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Nutrition and probiotics: Strengthening the microbiome and immune system from within.
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Homeopathy: Natural support that helps the body return to balance.
A specific bathing protocol is essential to soften the skin and allow growth.
Where to Find a Solution
If your dog is struggling with this problem, do not lose hope. On the website in the profile description you will find the PLH portal. There you can ask questions, and my team will send you a detailed protocol that includes care, nutrition, and natural therapy. It is time to restore softness to your dog’s skin so that the hair can grow again.
At Sasha Riess, we treat alopecia in dogs by restoring the skin’s natural permeability. When the barrier is softened, health returns through pureloveandharmony. Start the healing process: Linktree Sasha Riess
by Sasha Riess | 15.05.26. | Coat Care
Wiping a dog with wet wipes is not forbidden, but only under certain conditions. The key question is not just can I wipe my dog with wet wipes, but what products are being used and how frequently the skin is being treated.
Which Wet Wipes Are Allowed for Dogs?
The most important thing is to check the ingredients. Wet wipes must never contain alcohol. Alcohol strongly dries out the skin and damages the natural protective barrier. This stimulates the skin to produce even more oil as a reaction, which can result in:
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A greasier coat
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Irritation and itching
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An unpleasant odor
Better Alternatives for Daily Hygiene
In most cases, a simple damp cloth is completely sufficient. If you are wondering can I wipe my dog with wet wipes every day, consider these safer options:
If a dog gets dirty often, the solution is not constant wiping, but a properly adjusted hygiene routine.
The Role of High-Quality Conditioner
Using a premium dog conditioner helps the coat retain less grease and attract less dirt from the environment. When the coat is healthy, it is often enough to gently wipe the dog with a damp cloth without aggressive cleaning agents.
Alcohol in wipes can cause dry skin.
Why Constant Wiping Can Become a Problem
Wet wipes, even those without alcohol, should not be used constantly. Over-reliance on them can remove natural oils and disrupt the skin’s microbalance. When asking can I wipe my dog with wet wipes, remember that less is more. Over-drying the skin leads to faster soiling, creating a vicious circle.
The Essence: Preserving Natural Balance
The goal is to preserve natural balance, not sterile cleanliness. For those seeking the best for their dog’s skin, Sasha Riess Pure Love & Harmony uses 100% natural active ingredients like aloe, jojoba, lavender, and mineral-rich spring water to nourish without stripping away protection.
At Sasha Riess, we believe that true beauty comes from health. Understanding can I wipe my dog with wet wipes responsibly is part of maintaining the pureloveandharmony of your dog’s skin and coat. Discover our natural solutions: Linktree Sasha Riess
by Sasha Riess | 21.04.26. | Coat Care
Many owners wonder when to groom a puppy for the first time and whether there is a “right moment” to get the puppy used to bathing, trimming, and blow drying. The truth is that most puppies accept grooming much faster and more easily if it starts early, even before six weeks of age. Early grooming is not just a hygiene routine; it is an important part of raising a stable and confident dog.
When to Groom a Puppy: The Optimal Time
The best time for a puppy’s first grooming can be even before six weeks of age, especially in breeds that grow hair quickly or have long, soft coats. Many breeders begin gentle care as soon as the puppy opens its eyes and starts nibbling solid food, sometimes as early as the third week. At that stage, puppies begin to separate from the mother, get dirty, and enter a phase where a first light hygiene routine becomes necessary.
How to Prepare a Puppy Before Grooming
When grooming starts early, the puppy quickly learns that touch, water, a blow dryer, and clippers are a normal part of life. Dogs that go through gentle grooming processes from a very young age later accept grooming, veterinary visits, nail filing, and handling much more easily. If grooming is postponed for too long, a puppy may develop resistance, fear, or nervousness.
Early bathing helps a puppy experience grooming as a normal part of life.
Tips for Regular Grooming and Habituation
Habituation should be gentle, short, and positive. The first grooming session should not last long; just a few minutes is enough. A simple routine includes:
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Briefly touching the paws and muzzle
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Lightly trimming hair around the eyes or paws
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Short blow drying without directing air at the head
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Bathing only with warm water and gentle movements
The Most Common Mistakes in Puppy Grooming
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Waiting until the puppy is four to six months old, which is too late.
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Making the first grooming session too long.
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Forcing the puppy if it becomes restless.
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Using a blow dryer that is too strong.
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Negative reactions from the owner that create tension.
Trimming the paws is the first step in teaching a puppy to accept touch and care.
How to Make Grooming a Stress-Free Routine
The most important thing is to stay calm. The puppy should feel that grooming is a normal part of life, not a special event. If you are wondering when to groom a puppy, the answer is as early as possible, but gently and gradually. Early habituation makes a huge difference and helps build a dog that accepts grooming calmly throughout its entire life.
At Integrative and Holistic Grooming Education, we believe that early care is the foundation of pureloveandharmony. By introducing grooming as a natural routine, you are giving your puppy the gift of stability. Learn more about our approach: Linktree Sasha Riess
by Sasha Riess | 29.03.26. | Coat Care
How often to bathe and brush dogs is a question every owner of a double-coated breed must master to ensure their pet’s health. Understanding how often to bathe and brush dogs correctly is not just an aesthetic ritual; it is a vital practice that directly affects the dog’s comfort, prevents pain during detangling, and helps effectively remove the undercoat. In many breeds, brushing a dry coat can be extremely painful, which is why your grooming routine must always combine proper bathing with brushing.
How Often to Bathe and Brush Dogs: Frequency Matters
The frequency of bathing depends on the environment in which the dog lives. A dog that stays in a clean home and does not sleep in the owner’s bed can usually be bathed once a week or every ten days. However, dogs that live in dirtier, urban environments or spend a lot of time outdoors may require more frequent bathing, every five to seven days. If the dog sleeps in the owner’s bed, many choose even more frequent bathing to maintain impeccable hygiene.
Why How Often to Bathe and Brush Dogs Is Vital for Double Coats
Breeds such as Pomeranians, Chow Chows, Keeshonds and Samoyeds have a dense undercoat that matts easily, especially when dry. Brushing without bathing often causes pain because the hair breaks, pulls and catches, and owners frequently make the mistake of brushing the dog “dry” thinking they are helping. Proper bathing with plenty of high quality conditioner allows the coat to glide under the brush and the undercoat to be removed easily.
Proper bathing with shampoo and conditioner prevents painful hair pulling.
What Does a Proper Brushing Routine Look Like
Undercoat is removed with special brushes that do not hurt the dog when the coat is well prepared. After bathing, with the right shampoo and conditioner, the coat separates more easily and the process becomes much more pleasant. Professionals in grooming academies teach students this skill first, how to hold the brush correctly, how to work in sections, and how to assess the condition of the coat before starting. If you are unsure how to brush your dog properly, it is best to do it after a bath or consult a groomer.
Why You Should Never Brush a Completely Dry Coat
Dry hair breaks easily, the skin becomes tight and every stroke of the brush can cause pain, especially in breeds with long or double coats. This is the main reason why many dogs run away from the brush, not because they dislike grooming, but because it hurts. Bathing and proper conditioning make an enormous difference and make the entire process much easier for both the dog and the owner.
At Integrative and Holistic Grooming Education, we believe that grooming is a conversation of touch. By choosing the right method, you turn a chore into a moment of pure bonding. Explore our philosophy: Linktree Sasha Riess
by Sasha Riess | 02.03.26. | Coat Care
Cleaning a Dog’s Ears: Why It Is Not as Simple as It Looks
One of the most common questions owners ask is: “How should I clean my dog’s ears. Can I put shampoo in them and rinse with water?”
At first glance, it sounds logical. You apply shampoo, rinse with water, the dog shakes his head, and it is done. However, the problem occurs much deeper inside the ear canal, exactly where water should never end up. Cleaning a dog’s ears requires a more careful approach than just basic washing.
Why Water in the Ears Can Cause Problems
Dogs have a natural mechanism for cleaning their ears. Anything that stays in the shallow part of the ear canal can usually be expelled by shaking the head.
The problem arises when:
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water penetrates below the cerumen layer (ear wax),
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dirt softens and becomes trapped,
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moisture remains locked inside the ear.
Under these conditions, the ear becomes an ideal environment for inflammation, fungal infections, bacterial growth, and unpleasant odor from the ears.
Shaking the head helps a dog expel excess fluid and keep ears dry.
Is Shampoo Safe for Dog Ears?
Shampoo itself is not the problem. The problem is how it is used. When shampoo comes into contact with dirt, it no longer behaves as shampoo but as foam. Foam has an excellent ability to break down grease, remove impurities, and clean surfaces.
This is why foam can be useful, but only if:
How to Properly Clean a Dog’s Ears
A safe approach to cleaning a dog’s ears includes the following steps:
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Use products specifically designed for cleaning dog ears.
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Do not pour water directly deep into the ear.
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Clean only the outer ear and the visible part of the canal.
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Rinse gently, without pressure.
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Allow the dog to shake thoroughly.
Dogs are naturally capable of expelling excess fluid from their ears, but only if the water has not become trapped beneath layers of ear wax.
The Most Common Owner Mistake
The biggest mistake is not cleaning itself, but overcleaning. Ears are not meant to be washed frequently, nor should they be cleaned “thoroughly” like skin.
Too much intervention:
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disrupts the ear’s natural protective barrier,
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increases the risk of infections,
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creates chronic ear problems.
For a healthy dog, minimal and proper hygiene is the best hygiene.
Sasha Riess Pure Love & Harmony 100% natural active ingredients: nourishing aloe, generous jojoba, luxurious lavender, premium spring water rich in minerals from an ancient hidden European sea. Learn more about our Holistic Care.
