When furminating your dog's coat, make sure their coat is completely dry and don't brush too hard or for too long as it can irritate their skin and cause coat damage if overused.
Regular brushing removes dead hair, distributes natural oils for a clean and healthy coat, stimulates the surface of the skin, gets rid of dead and dry skin, and helps you become familiar with your dog's body. You should brush your dog every couple of days no matter the length of his coat.
In seeking to frequently give our dog that nice "groomed" look, it's common to overbrush the coat. Not only can it be extremely damaging to the coat itself, it also causes great discomfort to the dog if you overbrush a dry coat.
Stop brushing when you can no longer pinch out a tuft of hair, says Bird. Avoid brush burn. Your precious pooch and feline friend need gentle care. Don't press the bristles of any brush hard against your pet's tender skin or tug at knots or tangles.
Regular grooming relaxes the dog who's used to it, and it becomes a special time that you can both share. A coat free of mats, burrs and tangles and skin free of fleas and ticks are as comfortable to your dog as fresh, clean clothes are to you. It makes you feel good, and the effect is the same for your pet.
DON'T brush damp fur
Because brushing your dog when his hair is wet can be quite painful, while also creating more tangles and knots. That's why you should always brush dogs before you bathe them and then just let it all dry naturally afterward.
It's best to brush your dog's fur before bathing them. This will remove any loose fur and debris from the coat, and also makes sure that any mats or tangles are brushed out, as these will be more difficult to remove when wet. Make sure the water is around the same temperature as the dog's body.
Apply too much pressure to The FURminator brush. Brush the same area for too long or you risk irritating your kitty's skin. The more you brush the same area, the higher the risk of causing irritation.
If you intend to keep your dog's long fur flowy and loose, groom your dog two times a day. You must bathe your dog every four to six weeks. A haircut every 10-12 weeks is also necessary. Brushing your long-haired dog daily can give you a longer gap between professional grooming visits.
A type of coat that consists of two layers, double coated dogs have a dense undercoat of short hairs (woolly in texture) under a top coat of longer hairs called guard hairs. When a dog appears to be fluffier, it means he has a denser undercoat. This means you'll be up in for the long haul when it comes to grooming.
Some canine medical conditions can cause excess shedding. Parasites, fungal infections, stress, and even sunburn are some of the more common problems that will cause your dog to have excessive hair loss. Hormonal issues due to thyroid imbalance can lead to inflamed skin and brittle hair as well.
Brushing your pooch is a great way to bond, promote skin health and, of course, keep the house clean. However, using the wrong brush or technique can lead to skin damage and anxiety. The truth is, many pet owners are simply using the wrong tools for the job.
If possible, Stites recommends brushing your dog's hair before a bath, as water can make mats and knots even tighter. “Many brushes can grab the wet hair and pull at the skin, causing discomfort or pain to your dog,” Stites says.
Bonding Experience
Brushing your pet is a great way to bond with your pet. Some dogs and cats instinctively like the feeling of being brushed and you two will have a great time together. It's like a special meeting that you two will have together once or twice a week.
De shedding is the physical removal of a dog's loose undercoat. The idea is to remove the hair before it lands on your furniture and clothes, but it also makes your dog more comfortable. Groomers use multiple tools and methods to de-shed dogs depending on their coat type.
Brush frequently.
The more often you brush your dog, the more hair you will remove to avoid excess shedding. During the shedding seasons of fall and spring, brush your dog at least twice a week—more if you have time.
Regular, even daily, brushing is the most effective way to keep your home hair-free. Brushing will also make your dog's coat softer, cleaner, and less likely to shed. (Keep a small trash barrel nearby to dump the remains).
Generally speaking, a healthy dog with a short, smooth coat and no skin problems doesn't need to be bathed often. In most cases, dog baths are more for the benefit of their pet parents than for the dogs themselves. Even so, it's a good idea to bathe your pooch at least once every two to three months.
Like us, it is ideal to brush your dog's teeth at least twice daily. For many dogs, once brushing becomes a part of their daily routine they will begin to expect and enjoy it. Brushing three times a week is the minimum recommendation to help remove plaque and prevent tartar accumulation.
It's designed to reach your pet's undercoat without causing pain. Don't use the FURminator excessively in one area. You risk hitting the skin more often and causing irritation.
Tampering with it by shaving it all off will leave your dog feeling hotter than when he had his coat. Plus, shaving your dog's double coat puts him at a greater risk of sunburn or heat stroke. This is why vets, groomers, and breeders all agree that shaving off a double coat is almost never a good idea.
Although this is not always a bad thing, when you start brushing too much or for too long, you can ultimately damage your teeth. Brushing more than three times a day, and for longer than 2 minutes, can sometimes lead to your tooth enamel wearing down as well as cause damage to your gums.
While some pet owners are content to let their dogs air dry, you shouldn't be. When you let your dog air dry, they'll be at risk for fungus growing between their paw pads and in locations where their legs attach to their torso. If your dog has long hair, their fur may become matted if you let them air dry after a bath.