How to Groom a Shaggy Dog
Medium
30 - 60 Minutes
4 Weeks
Need regular grooming services?
Introduction
Your shaggy dog needs a lot more attention, a lot more lather in his shampoo, and more time dedicated to his baths. Your long-haired shaggy dog is going to need a little care before he hops into the bath. You'll need to make sure you've brushed out any mats, if not cut out or combed out, before getting his fur wet. Shaggy dogs also need to be soaked in order for the shampoo to take and work in his fluff. Rinsing your dog once he's done with his bath is going to take a little longer as well because of his shag. You may also want to consider a nice deep coat conditioning for your shaggy dog when you're done with his bath. If you are lucky enough to have a beautiful shaggy dog, just know it's worth all the extra effort and time to give him the right care and make him beautiful.
Dog's Perspective
Because it takes a little more time to bathe a beautiful shaggy dog than it does a short-haired dog, your dog may be a little apprehensive about being in the water for so long. If there is any apprehension, do as much as you can before introducing your dog to the water. Brush him out make him fluffy and tangle-free before you get him wet.
The Brush & Wash Method
Effective
0 Votes
Slicker Brush
Shampoo
Pin Brush
Comb
Towel
Step
1
Brush
Use a pin brush to brush your dog's fur thoroughly. Focus on getting tangles out and smoothing out any mats or thick clumps of fur. You want the fur to be lush enough to be able to hold the shampoo and rinse well.
Step
2
Wet dog
Wherever you decide to bathe your dog, whether it be in your yard with a hose, in your shower with a handheld shower head, or in a bathtub with a cup or a bowl, wet your dog as thoroughly as possible. Your dog's thick fur won't hold water easily so you may need to take extra care to ensure water is getting through the fur to your dog’s skin and soaking in between.
Step
3
Finger comb
Use your fingers to comb through your dog’s thick coat, moving the water through the fur down to the skin. Remember, even if you have drenched your dog, if you haven't moved the water through this thick fur it may just be soaking on the surface.
Step
4
Shampoo
With small amounts of dog shampoo, lather your pup one area at a time. Be sure you are washing all of that luscious fur and getting down to your dog's skin. Working in small areas ensures all of the fur is getting suds and therefore, getting clean.
Step
5
Rinse
Once your dog is lathered and scrubbed with a dog shampoo perfect for his glorious coat, rinse the shampoo off with fresh warm water. Again, because your dog has that thick fur, be sure you are rinsing thoroughly and getting all of the fur down to the skin below. It's helpful if you rinse in small sections from the top and push the sides down towards the bottom of your dog.
Step
6
Rinse dog
With a shaggy dog, once you think you have rinsed all of the soapy suds off his skin and out of his fur, it is always best to do it one last time. Leaving any soap to dry on your dog's skin could cause dry and itchy skin, and any extra soap left in your dog's coat will dull the beauty of his shag.
Step
7
Towel dry
Using a towel, pat your dog's fur gently, squeezing out water. Try not to rub your dog's fur as this may cause frizz and tangles in his shaggy coat.
Step
8
Comb through
You may need to use a wide-tooth comb when your dog's fur is wet. Comb thoroughly, focusing on removing any tangles or knots caused by bathing.
Step
9
Brush
Once your dog’s fur is dry, brush out his beautiful shag one last time. This will bring out his ever so soft and fluffy appearance again.
The Shaggy Spa Method
Effective
0 Votes
Slicker Brush
Shampoo
Pin Brush
Comb
Towel
Step
1
Start with a brush
Use your dog's favorite brush and brush out his coat from head to toe. Focus on removing any tangles or knots. If you find mats that will not come out with a brush, use scissors to cut them out. However, with the help of a pin brush or a fine-tooth comb, hopefully you'll be able to brush out tangles instead of cutting them out.
Step
2
Fill bath
Fill your dog's bath with warm water. Have the water ready to go before your dog gets in it.
Step
3
Soak
Set your dog in the tub of warm water so his coat can absorb the water. You can also use a cup to get his back, head, and neck wet. Most of your dog's shag should be sitting in the water, soaking it up.
Step
4
Dog shampoo
Using a top quality dog shampoo, pour over your dog's fur and lather all over. Don't forget behind your dog's ears, his neck, and all the way to the tips of the shag. Be sure to massage the suds into your dog's skin.
Step
5
Rinse
Rinse the soap off of dog. You may need to drain the tub so you can rinse the shampoo off your dog's fur and skin.
Step
6
Conditioner
To improve the sheen and health of your dog's coat, use a deep conditioner every other time you bathe your shaggy dog. Apply to conditioner, let it sit for a few moments, and then rinse it really well as you did with the shampoo.
Step
7
Dry
Your shaggy dog will probably stand up and try to do the water shake. If you can, hold the towel over him while he does that. He can remove a lot of the excess water stuck in his long hair. Once he shakes, use a towel to gently pat and squeeze excess water out of his fur.
Step
8
Brush
Use a pin brush to brush through your dog's fur. Brush it in the direction you would like it to dry and focus on removing any knots or tangles while you're brushing.
Step
9
Towel fluff
Once your dog's fur is damp, fluff it up with a towel. Gently move the towel from the ends up towards the roots in small sections. This will help to dry the damp fur and bring his sheen out.
Step
10
Reward
Because your dog is getting spa treatment, be sure to offer him a nice tasty reward for a job well done.
Caution & Considerations
- Keeping your shaggy dog well-groomed and maintained on a regular basis will make bath time easier.
- Consider using a cup or a bowl and dumping water really close to your dog's skin instead of splashing it on him. You can also hold a hose or a handheld showerhead up against your dog's skin, making washing and rinsing easier on your dog.
- Because your dog's shaggy fur is so thick and lush, make sure you are rinsing until the water runs clear. Do not leave excess soap on your dog's fur. Shampoo residue could cause dry skin as well as a dull coat.
- Every now and then, consider a deep conditioning after your dog's bath. You can find a conditioner specifically made for your dog's coat thickness and length. Just be sure you spend as much time rinsing the conditioner out as you do the shampoo.
- An extra towel to pat down your shaggy dog after bath time will help with that wild wet dog shake. Keep in mind you can also use that towel to protect yourself from getting wet and allow your dog to shake because he will get more water out of his fur then your towel will.
Conclusion
Short-haired dogs around the world have fur envy from these beautiful shaggy dogs. If you happen to have a long-haired dog or the Shaggy DA in your home, take the extra time he needs for a special grooming and a routine bath to keep him top dog.
