Advice
Grooming isn't always a walk in the park! The information provided below has been gathered from my own personal experience working with dogs over the years.
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I encourage you to also research elsewhere for other professional opinions for a thorough understanding of your dog's needs. Every dog is different, after all!
The Importance of Grooming Maintenance
The Importance of Grooming Maintenance
Many coat types need to be maintained at home in between grooming sessions to prevent knots, matts and/or shedding. Long coated, wool, wool-mixed and long double coated breeds are more prone to gaining matts in their coat. The aim is to prevent matts from occurring before they form. De-matting large, tight matts is very uncomfortable and even painful for your dog depending on the severity of the matts and the sensitivity of the area. Matts can be difficult to find if you don’t know how to look efficiently. Work through your dog’s body methodically during brushing so you don’t miss any areas. The more often you brush your dog, the shorter the brushing sessions will be - making the experience more enjoyable for both you and your dog.
Tools and Techniques to Remove MATTING!
Tools and Techniques to Remove MATTING!
A slicker brush and a comb are an excellent combo of tools to use. A slicker brush separates the hair while a comb can be used to check for any remaining knots. Lift the hair up; holding it down with your thumb and brush downwards with the slicker brush to reveal the skin. Then check the area with a comb. The comb should easily slide through the coat with no snags. You can also use your fingers to find knots if you are working on a more sensitive area. The less you pull on your dog’s skin, the better! Slowly work your way through the coat from bottom to top. Try working in methodical sections to make sure you don't miss any areas. For extra tight knots and matts, try using a dog grooming conditioning spray to help the knots slide out.
HANDLING ADVICE
HANDLING ADVICE
Brushing isn’t always a dog’s favourite pastime… set yourself up for success by doing the following:
Brushing isn’t always a dog’s favourite pastime… set yourself up for success by doing the following:
Consider using a Table
Consider using a Table
Having your dog on a raised surface is far more comfortable for your back and makes finding knots a lot easier. It also prevents your dog from tiptoeing around a large space on the floor. You want to avoid chasing your dog around! Simply placing a table cloth on your kitchen table can suffice, or you may want to upgrade to a grooming table with a restraint bar and lead.
Be safe! If your table is wobbly or has a slippery surface, or perhaps your dog is too stressed or too large to be groomed this way, a small room or an area where you can hook their lead around can also work. Be creative!
A Training Process!
A Training Process!
For reluctant dogs, it helps to have a second person to distract and reward with treats. Aim to reward rather than distract as this trains your dog to behave throughout the process. Distracting can work, but often; a dog frantically gobbling down whatever treats are on offer is a hard target while searching for and removing knots. You may also find you’ll run out of treats very quickly this way and your dog's behaviour will likely stay the same during every brushing session. Instead, slowly begin the process and reward your dog when they are standing still. Gradually wait longer for a still pup before rewarding. Remember to reward with verbal praise too! Try to be patient, and if you feel frustration levels are rising, have a break. You want to keep this a positive experience for the both of you.
Don’t Overdo It!
Don’t Overdo It!
The last thing you want to do is put your dog off the process. For extra reluctant dogs and puppies, I advise grooming in short 10/20 minute bursts. Be patient and avoid using physical force to hold your dog still. This will likely only upset or scare them, making the whole process more difficult. Dogs don’t forget - so a negative experience at home will often affect your dog’s experience at the groomers too. If you’re unable to groom successfully, bring them to a professional. If home grooming simply isn't for you but you'd like your dog to have a long, luscious coat, consider more frequent grooming appointments.
COAT TYPES
It is important to understand your dog’s coat type to choose the right tools and methods for grooming maintenance at home. Please note that coat texture can vary within each category and some coat types fall under multiple categories. A dogs coat and also be affected by their health.
It is important to understand your dog’s coat type to choose the right tools and methods for grooming maintenance at home. Please note that coat texture can vary within each category and some coat types fall under multiple categories. A dogs coat and also be affected by their health.
...to summarise - this is a rough guide!
...to summarise - this is a rough guide!
Wool/ Wool Mixed Coats
Wool/ Wool Mixed Coats
You’ve got your work cut out with this coat type! Wool coats are prone to matting because; rather than shedding like other coat types, typically the hair stays put. It can also grow very fast and continues to grow throughout the year. Dirt and friction speeds up the matting process, so frequent cleaning and brushing of the coat helps prevent matts from occurring. Friction areas include behind ears, under armpits, around the back end and where the collar/harness sits. Reduce matts around the face and feet by keeping them clean from food and dirt.
You’ve got your work cut out with this coat type! Wool coats are prone to matting because; rather than shedding like other coat types, typically the hair stays put. It can also grow very fast and continues to grow throughout the year. Dirt and friction speeds up the matting process, so frequent cleaning and brushing of the coat helps prevent matts from occurring. Friction areas include behind ears, under armpits, around the back end and where the collar/harness sits. Reduce matts around the face and feet by keeping them clean from food and dirt.
Smooth & Short Coats
Smooth & Short Coats
Dogs with this coat type require a lot less maintenance making them the perfect breeds for owners with less time to groom at home. However, contrary to common belief, smooth/short coats still shed. Shedding can be reduced by brushing your dog regularly with a de-shedding brush. A trip to the groomers for a bath and de-shedding blow dry can blast out a lot of loose coat.
Dogs with this coat type require a lot less maintenance making them the perfect breeds for owners with less time to groom at home. However, contrary to common belief, smooth/short coats still shed. Shedding can be reduced by brushing your dog regularly with a de-shedding brush. A trip to the groomers for a bath and de-shedding blow dry can blast out a lot of loose coat.
Silky & Long Coats
Silky & Long Coats
A long/silky coat can very easily get tangled during all the activities your dog gets up to so they require a lot of maintenance. Depending on the length of the coat, they may require brushing daily. Like wool coated breeds, focus on the friction areas including behind ears, under armpits, around the back end and where the collar/harness sits. For less maintenance, take your dog to the groomers to get their coat trimmed. Alternatively, frequent grooming appointments can keep your dog looking smart whilst retaining their long coat.
A long/silky coat can very easily get tangled during all the activities your dog gets up to so they require a lot of maintenance. Depending on the length of the coat, they may require brushing daily. Like wool coated breeds, focus on the friction areas including behind ears, under armpits, around the back end and where the collar/harness sits. For less maintenance, take your dog to the groomers to get their coat trimmed. Alternatively, frequent grooming appointments can keep your dog looking smart whilst retaining their long coat.
Double Coats
Double Coats
A double coat consists of a soft, dense undercoat and a longer, coarse overcoat. This coat type acts as a heat regulator; keeping your dog cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather. As a general rule, breeds with this coat type must not be clipped as it damages the consistency of the coat and therefore heat regulation. However, dogs with a longer double coat be trimmed a little shorter for easier maintenance as long as the undercoat is avoided. This coat type can still matt up if not maintained correctly. Prevent matts with frequent brushing and keeping the coat clean. There are many variations of a double coat, so do your research on what brush is right for your dog.
A double coat consists of a soft, dense undercoat and a longer, coarse overcoat. This coat type acts as a heat regulator; keeping your dog cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather. As a general rule, breeds with this coat type must not be clipped as it damages the consistency of the coat and therefore heat regulation. However, dogs with a longer double coat be trimmed a little shorter for easier maintenance as long as the undercoat is avoided. This coat type can still matt up if not maintained correctly. Prevent matts with frequent brushing and keeping the coat clean. There are many variations of a double coat, so do your research on what brush is right for your dog.
Wire Coats
Wire Coats
As the name suggests, this coat type has a coarse, wiry consistency. Similar to wool coats, many wire coats shed very little or not at all. To maintain the coarse bristly consistency, you may choose to get your dog hand stripped. This is the process of removing the softer undercoat by plucking it by hand with the help of powder and/or stripping knives or stones. This must only be carried out by a professional twice a year in spring and autumn; if and when the soft hairs are easily plucked. Pet dogs with a wire coat are also commonly clipped as this won’t negatively affect the dog’s health and wellbeing. It only risks slightly changing the texture of their coat.
As the name suggests, this coat type has a coarse, wiry consistency. Similar to wool coats, many wire coats shed very little or not at all. To maintain the coarse bristly consistency, you may choose to get your dog hand stripped. This is the process of removing the softer undercoat by plucking it by hand with the help of powder and/or stripping knives or stones. This must only be carried out by a professional twice a year in spring and autumn; if and when the soft hairs are easily plucked. Pet dogs with a wire coat are also commonly clipped as this won’t negatively affect the dog’s health and wellbeing. It only risks slightly changing the texture of their coat.
PLEASE NOTE: if your wire coated dog has recently been clipped, you cannot then switch to hand stripping right away.
PLEASE NOTE: if your wire coated dog has recently been clipped, you cannot then switch to hand stripping right away.
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