Moonshadows Kennel

Not really. The most important elements of grooming for Manchesters are not coat related. Toenails need to be done very regularly, usually every 2 weeks as they grow rapidly and the quicks will elongate so that it’s hard to get them short again if they get too long. If you aren’t comfortable clipping or grinding them yourself then taking them to a groomer is a good option. Small dogs also tend to have trouble with their anal glands, they can become inflamed or infected if they don’t empty regularly with bowel movements.

Maintaining good fibre in the diet will help them empty naturally but they may occasionally need to be expressed. Again, if this is something you aren’t comfortable with doing then an experienced groomer or Veterinarian should be consulted.

As far as the coat is concerned, a rubber brush is handy to get dead hair out and stimulate the skin and occasional baths are usually all that is required for their coat. They may experience some dandruff immediately after bathing or when in a stressful or exciting situation and they may experience some baldness or thinning of the coat in the colder months when there is less sun.

Some Manchesters are easier to potty train than others. Young puppies up to around 6 months or more may have trouble defecating on leash or in places that are different from their usual spot (their own back yard for example). They may continue to have accidents until one year of age or even older when they are stressed or anxious. They also tend to not like rainy weather so many have extra trouble doing their business outside under those circumstances.

Be prepared to be patient and consistent with potty habits.

Crate training is an important skill for any dog to have. There are many conditions under which a dog may have to be crated, at the Vet for surgery, if they have a physical injury, under emergency circumstances like a flood or fire where you need to take them from your home or just to keep them safe when they are at home alone.

They are also much safer travelling in a crate while in a vehicle; in case of accident they are less likely to be able to escape and run in fear. Almost every one of our owners who has not crate trained their puppy has always said later that they wished they had done it. There are many great online crate training programs available and it’s easiest to do it while the dog is young.

Training classes are a good opportunity for socializing your puppy around other dogs and people, most dog trainers will still take their own puppies to classes even though they are more than capable of training their dogs themselves because they understand the value of this social exposure.

We highly recommend at least a puppy foundation or obedience class at the very minimum. Classes will also give you an opportunity to establish a relationship with a trainer who can help you navigate training issues throughout your dog’s lifetime.

Because Manchesters bond very strongly with their people they can tend to have trouble with separation anxiety. It is very important to help your puppy by giving regular alone time (whether you leave your home or not) with special treats or chews in a safe, secure place (like a crate or pen) so that they learn that being alone is not scary. If they learn this while they are growing up, they are less likely to have trouble as adults.