How to Wash out Dog Hair

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How to Wash out Dog Hair

Easy

30 - 60 Minutes

1 Week

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Introduction

If you are the proud owner of your very own hair producing machine, better known as Lassie, your clothes and just about every area of your home are subject to sharing in the bounty of shed hair. Getting rid of this bounty starts with getting the loose hair out of Lassie and then working on getting rid of it from your home. All dogs shed almost constantly, even those with short coats. But most of us only notice the problem when we have a dog with a long coat as these breeds tend to shed more noticeably. Being able to give your dog a proper wash in order to eliminate the amount of shedding that happens in your home is a handy grooming routine. It should be part of a weekly grooming session to keep Lassie happy and healthy.

Dog's Perspective

Lassie is barely aware of the fact that she leaves a coating of her hair wherever she goes. Even if she does realize she is shedding, chances are pretty good she really doesn't care. To reduce the amount of hair she does shed, a good bath and brushing will go a long way. She may not appreciate bath time, but it can definitely help to keep her coat looking great.

The Bath First Method

Effective

0 Votes

Slicker Brush

Shampoo

Pin Brush

Deshedder

Dematter

Step

Start with a hike

The best way to prep an active dog like Lassie for a bath is to take her out for a nice, long hike. This will tire her out and relax her for what is to come next while making her more likely to keep still throughout.

Step

Bathe her

Put Lassie in the tub and give her a nice bath in tepid water using her favorite vet-approved shampoo. Use a glove-brush to work through her coat as you go. This type of brush will help to loosen and remove loose hair from her coat.

Step

Scrub deep

Take your time and scrub deep down to her skin. Be gentle, but firm, and this will help remove a large percentage of the loose hair. Scrubbing with your fingertips can help work the shampoo in deep.

Step

Rinse thoroughly

This is where you get to see the results of your hard work. Be sure to place a mesh screen over the drain as the amount of hair is likely to be significant.

Step

Deshedding brush

Once Lassie has had a chance to dry, go over her coat with a deshedding brush. This type of brush is designed to remove any loose hair in her coat. By the time you are done, her coat should be free of loose hair. You can reduce the amount of shedding by brushing her with a deshedding brush on a daily basis.

The Brush First Method

Effective

0 Votes

Slicker Brush

Shampoo

Scissors

Pin Brush

Deshedder

Dematter

Step

Burn off

Walk off Lassie's extra energy. Make it a good, long walk. It should be one that will tire her out and help her to relax during the brushing process. If necessary, you may want to wait until after she has settled down for the day.

Step

To the brush

Using a deshedding brush for longer-haired breeds and a good boar hair brush to go over Lassie's coat on a daily basis. Doing this accomplishes three things. First, it helps to remove all of the loose hair hanging out in her coat. Second, it helps to remove tangles and mats in her long hair. Third, it gives you a chance to examine her for fleas, ticks, and signs of injury.

Step

Trimming time

This might be a good time for you to trim Lassie's coat, especially around her private areas to help keep them clean. You can use a pair of scissors or shears, but be sure that they are well maintained so as not to cause any nicks or cuts.

Step

Run the tub

Run four or five inches of tepid water in the tub and have Lassie hop in. If you have to, pick her up and put her in the water. Offer her some treats as encouragement if she is not very fond of the water.

Step

Soak time

Using a pitcher or detachable shower head, soak Lassie down using your fingers to work the water through her hair. This will help remove dirt and dead fleas or anything else hiding in her coat.

Step

Scrub her down

Using a vet-approved shampoo, scrub every inch of Lassie's coat from the neck down. The more time you spend scrubbing, the more hair will be worked loose. You might even consider using a scrubbing glove to help with the loose hair.

Step

Rinse and finish

Using the pitcher or shower head, rinse Lassie's coat thoroughly using your fingers to work the shampoo out of her coat. You should see lots of hair in the water. Place a screen over the drain and let the water out as you continue rinsing. Let her dry and go through her coat with the deshedding brush and then with a boar hair brush. This will get rid of her loose hair and then with daily brushing, you can keep it to a minimum.

Caution & Considerations

You should never shave a double-coated dog just because you are tired of the mess. This can lead to serious skin issues, including sunburn, dry skin, and many others. A double-coated dog needs its undercoat to maintain skin and fur health.
If you come across a serious mat or tangle, do NOT try to remove it with the brush. These mats can cause tugging and pulling on the skin and can cause pain.
Use shears or a dematting tool to cut mats that are difficult to get out. When all else fails, consults a professional groomer to prevent damage to the skin or fur.
You can try to remove tangled mats in the tub using shampoo to help lubricate the hair and your fingers to gently try and work it loose. If this fails, you will have to cut it out.
Never use any products made for humans on Lassie as they contain ingredients that can be hazardous to her health. Ensure that you use shampoos and conditioners that are safe for use on dogs.
Dogs that shed should be brushed daily in order to limit the amount of hair that is being lost.

Conclusion

Washing the loose hair out of your dog's coat can be challenging, but the more frequently you keep them brushed, especially during shedding season, the less buildup will occur in her coat. Along with this, keeping her coat nice and clean will help cut down on the amount of hair all over your home. With proper maintenance, the stress of shedding season should be much more easy to maintain.

How to Wash out Dog Hair

Introduction

Dog's Perspective

The Bath First Method

The Brush First Method

Caution & Considerations

Conclusion

Success Stories and Grooming Questions

More Dog Grooming Guides