Your dog’s coat type tells you how much brushing, combing, or bathing it should be. Her lifestyle – potato couch or canine athlete – determines the rest. Regardless of your dog’s coat type, we have tips that will work for all dogs. We’ve gathered some professional grocers and asked them to reveal their secrets to making your dog the envy of a dog park.
Brush / comb
There are different types of coat: short, medium or long, it can also be single or double, and the coat can be wrinkled, curly, coarse, smooth, fine, wired or hairless. And don’t think that a hairless breed will make brushing easier, as it usually requires more bathing. Getting the right grooming tools and knowing how to use them for your dog’s coat are key. Here are some tips that can help you brush your teeth in the right direction.
- Catherine Juarez, owner of Bubbles & Barks grooming salon in Passaic, New Jersey, says that coats (such as German Shepherd Dogs, Labs and Huskies) “will need a curry brush, scratch off the undercoat, sleek brush and comb”. While coats (Poodles, Yorkies, Shih Tzu, etc.) will need “a slicker or pin comb and a comb.”
- Don’t just brush or brush the coat on your dog’s head. Groomer Kimberly Rines, owner of The Grooming Shack in Duluth, Minnesota, says, “Groom your dog in layers, so you get the perfect skin.”
- When combing or combing, “watch for areas of friction — armpits, groin, behind the ears, and under the collar — as skin tends to be more sensitive and knots are more common,” says Stephanie Zikmann, founder of Study Recommended by the Holistic Grooming Institute in Scotland, UK.
- Brandie Gitzendanner, owner of The Paw Spa Elite in Oklahoma City and Mustang, Oklahoma, says to always dry and brush your dog after getting wet from bathing, swimming or the weather. “Letting your dog air dry without brushing and drying can lead to carpeting.”
- “Brush!” Elly Linam, owner of Elly Scissorhands Dog Grooming LLC in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. “After brushing your dog, be sure to comb it thoroughly to catch the small mats that are hiding. Greyhound-style combs are very effective for this. ”
Need more help? There’s an easy-to-understand video on YouTube in which Healthcare Educator Andis Diane Betelak walks you through it, titled Proper brushing and combing techniques and created by professional grooming company And is.
Take a shower
How often you bathe your dog depends on their coat and lifestyle. Normally, dogs can be bathed about once a month, but keep a close eye on the oiliness or dryness of the coat so as not to upset the natural balance of the coat. Dogs with oily skin and hairless breeds need to be bathed more often. Beyond the basics, here are some bath secrets from grocers.
- “Use an exfoliating pad! “This effectively lathers the shampoo and cleans the dirty shirt,” says Stephanie Z. This is also a great way to wash and wash your dog’s face carefully without getting soap scum in his eyes.”
- “Continue washing!” Stephanie Wilson advises Wüf Pet Spa in Cincinnati, Ohio. “If you think you’ve run out of shampoo and conditioner, rinse more. It’s crazy how easy it is to leave product in a jacket. “
- “Use conditioner,” Catherine said. “The conditioner helps to replenish the oil that has been removed by the shampoo.”
- “Drying the coat takes a few steps,” explains Liana Carver, a groomer at Roch & Gertrude Pet Spa in Pasadena, California. “First towel to absorb dripping water. The second towel is to dry the shirt as much as possible. Brush the tip to make sure there are no tangles before transferring to the dryer. If your puppy is happy with it, brush it while using the dryer. “
Looking for more advice? Payment procedures Tips and techniques for bathing your dog Dogster’s sister publishes the entire Dog Magazine at whole-dog-journal.com.
Whist! Other Grooming Secrets
It’s not all shampoo and comb. Here are some other simple secrets that you may not have known.
- Stephanie W. says: “Don’t leave collars and belts on 24/7,” If you need to, laced leather or silk necklaces cause less friction. ”
- Brandie reminded us to get the cornmeal. “It is good for loosening carpets that are not too tight. Just sprinkle and work it into the already matted area and then brush it off. ”
- And completely dry! “Many pet parents will dry their dogs and let them air-dry on their own,” says Nadia Lee, owner of 4 Legged Tribe in Lomita, California. “Damp skin plus a wet coat will result in a ‘wet dog smell’ and pet owners won’t be able to do the salon-style ‘deflated’ look.”
Tips for single and double coats
Dogs with a double coat have two coats: the outer coat and the inner coat. “Dog double coats provide insulation in both hot and cold weather,” explains Elly. It keeps them cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather.”
The outer coat is longer than the inner coat, does not shed as much as the inner coat, and it is the coat you see that shows the color of the dog. The inner coat is close to the skin and soft that you can feel when you separate the dog’s coat. Many popular breeds have double coats: Labs, German Shepherd Dogs, Border Collies and Golden Retrievers. Prepare expert tips for dogs wearing single coats and double coats.
- Liana says a dog covered with two coats should never be clipped. “Doing so may damage the protective jacket – the outer coat. You run the risk of it growing back patchy, changing in texture, or it may not grow back at all. “
- Brandie told us that second coats tend to release in cycles. “This undercoat should be blow-dried with a blow dryer or comb to prevent the coat from being damaged. Impacted jackets can trap moisture on the skin causing irritation, heat, and infection. “
- Single-coat dogs have no undercoat. “This coat tends to be softer and requires more brushing to maintain proper coat health,” says Stephanie W. The common breeds with single coats are Dachshunds, Greyhounds, Poodles and Chihuahuas.
Hair versus feathers
When it comes to dog hair and dog hair, what’s the difference? Our grocers solve this mystery for us.
Elly explains: “Dog hair is just like human hair. “It kept growing and had to be cut. Dog hair is not constantly growing and will fall out at the end of its growth cycle.”
Kimberly adds, “Dogs with fur don’t shed like a dog with fur. They require regular grooming to manage the length and health of their coat, while the dogs with the coat tend to shed more and have periods when they ‘blow out’ their coat. This means that all the feathers that die during the season are shed and depending on the breed it can be quite a bit! ”
Owner + groomer = healthy hair
Grooming is an essential part of your dog’s overall health. “During my many years of experience talking to pet parents, they all want the same things for their dogs. Nadia says they want to be able to make their dogs’ lives better. “Groomers are here to help achieve this goal alongside pet parents.”
In the midst of professional grooming
My dog loves to wiggle in a dug up of dirt, which means he’s always filthy. His BFF and groomer is Elaine Moyers, who splits her time between Louise’s Dog and Cat Grooming in La Habra, California, and her studio in Yucaipa, California. She shares some simple tips on what I can do between visits.
- Brush and comb your dog.
- Bathing, dry shampooing, or even wiping with a wet towel if needed if soiled, as well as a hairspray can help keep your dog smelling good.
- Check and clean the ears using an ear cleaner, pet wipe, or alcohol-soaked cotton ball. Only clean what you can see. If there are sores/redness, excess debris, or a foul odor, see your veterinarian.
- Use plain water on a cloth or tissue to clean debris around the eyes.
- File the nail with a sharp center cut with a nail file or Dremel.
- Use positive reinforcement. Anything you can do to help your puppy feel comfortable to be touched, their professional grooming day will be less stressful.
