The days are getting longer, meaning shedding season is just around the corner. Have you ever tried removing loose undercoat in the tub? If not, it's a neat trick to try on double-coated breeds. Here is how.
- Pop that Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Husky, Keeshond, Samoyed, or you name it into the tub.
- If you have it, choose a shampoo designed to help dead fur slip out of the coat. Remembering that dirt and dander help keep dead hair stuck in the coat, make sure the dog is super clean. Use as directed.
- Follow up on your squeaky clean dog by applying a generous amount of conditioner, ideally one designed to help with shedding or dematting.
- Once the conditioner has been evenly distributed throughout the coat, try using a slicker brush or a rake to catch shedding fur. Working from head to tail, brush with the lay of the coat. You will find that the water and conditioner make the fur slick and slippery, which will help you pull large amounts of loose coat out with minimaleffort.
Pro Tip: The dog's skin will be more delicate because it is wet, so take care not to scrape the skin while you work.
Keep brushing until a very little dead coat comes out as you work. Then rinse the dog well and continue on with your regular grooming schedule.
The great things about deshedding this way are:
- It saves time.
- It saves energy because you can get the shedding coat out faster.
- It saves your arm and shoulder because the job will go by faster and with less effort.
- You end up with a pile of shedding coat that is wet, easily collected, and discarded. This is much easier than sweeping or vacuuming all that loose fluff blown out with your dryer.
- The dog will dry far more quickly because you have already removed so much hair.
- Since the fur slides out with less effort, the entire process is gentler for the pet.
Spritz the damp coat with your favorite conditioning or brushing spray and lightly distribute it throughout the fur. Then, use your high-velocity dryer to thoroughly dry the pet and blow out any remaining dead hair. When you are done, you will find there is minimal brushing and combing left to do.
Deshedding in the tub is an excellent method to remove loose hair quickly and efficiently. If you have never tried it, give this technique a whirl and see how well it works.
