How to Groom a Constantly Shedding Dog

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How to Groom a Constantly Shedding Dog

Medium

15 - 30 Minutes

1 Week

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Introduction

There is nothing like the beauty of a long-haired dog--that is until it comes time to groom him. Grooming your furball on a regular basis is the best possible thing you can do to keep him looking his best. When he sheds all the time, every inch of your home becomes coated in his hair. You walk in it, sleep in it, even eat it with your dinner if you're not careful. While all the grooming in the world won't stop Joey from shedding, regular grooming can go a long way towards keeping the mess under control.

Dog's Perspective

To start with, not all dogs like being groomed. Some will actually fight against it. But, in most cases, this is simply because they were not properly introduced to the tools and the process properly. Take your time, go as slow as your dog needs you to until he is comfortable with being groomed.

The Minimize Shedding Method

Effective

0 Votes

Shampoo

Scissors

Pin Brush

Deshedder

Clipper

Dryer

Step

Routine brushing

The more you brush, the less loose hair your dog is going to leave lying in clumps everywhere. While weekly brushing works most of the year, during shedding seasons you should brush him daily.

Step

Bathing helps

Bathing your pooch can help, but you should check with your vet to see how often you should bathe your dog. Over bathing can strip the natural oils that protect both skin and hair. Always use a vet-approved shampoo and rinse thoroughly to remove all traces.

Step

Hit me with your best shot

Or in this case, hit your pooch with a shot of warm air from a hair dryer. Keep the temperature warm and use a brush to help spread his coat while you dry it. Keep in mind that the more you remove now, the less you have to clean up later.

Step

Trim time

Using clippers or scissors, give your dog a nice trim. You should never shave your dog down to skin level as he has no natural protection from the sun. This could lead to sunburn, dry, chapped skin, and a higher risk of injury.

Step

If the shedding seems excessive

If no matter how much you groom your dog, the shedding only seems to get worse, this may an indication of a medical problem. You should take him in to see the vet for a checkup and any treatment the vet might feel is necessary.

The No Clip Method

Effective

0 Votes

Shampoo

Pin Brush

Deshedder

Step

No skin, please

If you are the proud human companion of a Husky, Alaskan Malamute, St. Bernard, or any of the other breeds with a long double coat, you really know what shedding is like. At the same time, you can't just shave him down to his skin. Although you might think you are doing him a favor, especially in the summer, you are taking away the coat that helps keep him cool in the summer and opening him up to sunburn and many other skin conditions.

Step

Grab an undercoat rake

This is a tool that has been specially designed to reach all the way down to the roots of the hair. It is used to remove the loose hairs of both his under and outer coat. Work the brush in both directions and clean out the hair frequently. Take your time and repeat the process a few times to get the most hair.

Step

De-shedding tool next

Use a de-shedding tool like the Furminator to go over the coat very lightly. The tool is designed to trim the longer outer hairs while not touching the all-important undercoat.

Step

Rub-a-dub-dub

Put puppy in the tub. Keeping in mind that most long-haired dogs do not produce large quantities of hair oils as their short-haired cousins do. These breeds should not be bathed frequently, often no more than once or twice a year. Use a vet-approved shampoo and be sure to rinse your dog thoroughly to prevent him from licking remaining chemicals that could make him sick.

Step

Let the winds blow

Give your pup plenty of time to air dry before you attempt to brush his coat. If you try to brush his coat while it is still wet, you could end up ripping hair out of his skin. This can be extremely painful. Finish up with an undercoat rake to remove any remaining tangles and mats.

Caution & Considerations

Most dogs that shed constantly do not need to be bathed frequently and should only be bathed once or twice annually, unless they get really dirty.
Be sure you are using tools made for long-haired dogs, these are designed not to harm the outer guard hairs.
Take your time, use lots of treats, and talk to your dog in a soft, soothing voice to help keep him calm during the grooming process.
Never shave this type dog down to his bare skin. He has absolutely no protection from heat, cold, or the sun's UV rays, which can sunburn him very quickly.
Be sure you use good quality clippers and shears with sharp blades.
Never use any products made for humans, they may contain chemicals known to be harmful to dogs.

Conclusion

Grooming a dog that constantly sheds can be very challenging. But, with plenty of practice, the two of you can master this very important skill. Think of grooming time as the perfect time for both of you to bond. On top of this, think of all the money you will be saving.

How to Groom a Constantly Shedding Dog

Introduction

Dog's Perspective

The Minimize Shedding Method

The No Clip Method

Caution & Considerations

Conclusion

Success Stories and Grooming Questions

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