Q&A: Dog grooming tips and advice?
Question by Kill Your Hero and Fly.: Dog grooming tips and advice?
I have a lab mix who sheds like crazy. I brush him about 10 to 15 minutes a day everyday, and between the hair from brushing him and the hair that falls on the ground everyday I end up with some pretty big hairballs. It just seems like he sheds endlessly. He got a good bill of health from his last visit and the groomers haven’t said anything. He does have a little dandruff. When I bath him at home I use oatmeal shampoo and rinse him well. I thought short haired dogs are supposed to have low maintenance grooming or is this low maintenance? I use one of thoughs wired brushes, http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3706186 this one< Would there be a better brush to use? Also if you could give me some advice on brushing his teeth, he doen't like that.
My mom gave me the responcibility of grooming and cleaning up after him and I'd like to do this right and take the best care of him.
Thanx
I also have a zoom groom as well.
Best answer:
Answer by meei
I use the Zoom Groom by Kong on my dog, who is also a lab mix. He loves it when I brush him, cause it massages him as well. Also, because your dog is a mix, his fur isn’t the standard lab fur.
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Short haired dogs just mean less grooming maintenance for owner – not that the dog doesn’t shed a ton of hair – just doesn’t really mat. One of those brushes are unnecessary unless your dog has much longer coat than a lab does(more like golden instead). Using rubber brush like Zoom Groom helps short – medium haired dogs but you will still have a ton of shedding hair. Zoom Groom is good for lifting up dirt/dander from the coat & helpful during the bath to really work shampoo into the coat.
Those brushes work great Simply do it outside so the hair wont go everywhere. I always played with my dog while I used it getting his back and belly wearing him down and getting his ears legs and tail once he calmed down. Talk with a groomer and get advice on what shampoo to use with your dogs coat. You should still take them to a groomer at least once a year if not more to have the knots and nails trimmed. As for the shampoo I would also do this outside(close to grass not dirt cause you know he is going to roll over) shampoo him and dry him off then let him run and play with him before brushing out the hair.
With the teeth I used stuffed animals and got a lot of compliments about how his teeth were always so clean. I never brushed them he simply loved tearing up stuffed animals(after I removed the bad things like eyes and such). Playing with him a few times a week with a plush animal like tug and war and simply tossing it after the week will keep his teeth clean. I always got them at good will and garage sales for like 10 cents or a quarter each.
Play with him more as well as walks after playing(dogs walk better after they calm down) and you will have a happier and healthier dog.
Goodluck
A wire brush is good and so is a good quality dog food. A shedding tool also helps, so does a shampoo and conditioner called Furminator. The tool is like a dog comb only it has 2 levels of teeth. You can get these in a kit but only use the tool when the coat is completely dry. You can find it on the internet. You can also buy the shedding tool separately. We use the kit and it really helps and one of our dogs has short hair, too. It’s a concentrate so you will mix it with water, it goes a long way and makes the coat really nice. Ask your groomer if they can get it and keep it for your dog’s use. You could probably mix the shampoo with oatmeal shampoo too, or use it only half the time you bathe him. Oatmeal shampoo is good on dogs’ skin. For brushing his teeth, they make liver flavored dog toothpaste and dog toothbrushes, and he’ll get used to the brushing, especially with flavored toothpaste and if you use treats. If you train him to sit and stay it will help, too. Good luck! You sound like you will be a good dogowner, you care to help your dog and take care of him right. Your dog is lucky to have you as his owner!
One of the reasons he’s shedding like crazy right now is because it’s SPRING, and he’s blowing his coat.
You might want to try and find out why he has dandruff though. It could be from his food, or a few mites or something. Doesn’t sound serious, but….why not try and learn more, eh?
Check out http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/ for more information on foods, and head to your local library, in the Dewey section number 636 for more information about medical, and specifically skin conditions in dogs.
You just have to brush him as you are, try and feed him and give him lots of water but I would try a shedder http://www.die-flexible-hundeschule.de/shedder.jpg.