Yes, you can! Keeping your Skye looking its best is not difficult. I never understood the thinking behind a potential new owner saying they'll take their Skye to a groomer to have it cut down on a regular basis. They should save themselves the money and get a short-coated breed to begin with. The to-the-ground coat of an adult Skye is an intrinsic part of the breed. Besides, regular grooming will keep an owner informed of any changes in their Skye that might require veterinary attention.

Here's what an owner needs to keep their Skye looking its best:

• time
• patience
• a soft-backed pin brush
• a greyhound comb (two sets of teeth on one comb)
• scissors
• nail clippers or grinder

Your Skye should already be familiar with the grooming process before it joins your household. They probably already had their nails trimmed several times by then, as their sharp neonatal nails could scratch their dam's teats as they nurse.

The time to get serious about grooming begins as a puppy's coat starts to come in. Whenever the pup is laying comfortably, gently run the brush over its body, then do the same with the comb. Be sure to generously praise the pup whenever it rests quietly while you're doing this. A tasty treat never hurts either. Gently handle each foot, rub a finger around its gums and peer into its ears. That's it...you're done! The time you put in to accustoming your young Skye to the grooming process will reap hundred-fold rewards over the lifetime of the dog.

When the adult coat starts to come in, serious, at least weekly, grooming begins. Lift the coat from the skin as you brush to make sure you work out all tangles. When you do encounter a tangle or mat, be sure to hold the base of the mat between your fingers as you work it out. That way, pulling against delicate skin (and the complaining sure to arise from doing that) is minimized. Trim the hair between the pads flush with the bottom of the foot. Use the fine-toothed end of the greyhound comb between the pads to make sure there aren't any mats forming there either. A mat between the pads is like walking with a stone in your shoe. Remove the tips of the nails with the clipper or grinder, clean ears with cotton balls if needed and grooming is done for the week.

Bathing and drying must be introduced as grooming was...gently. This may be a frightening new experience. Being patient and calm about things will help your Skye learn that, while they might not like getting a bath, it's something that they have to have done.