Dog Community

Brushing a wet coat

willowchow

Posted : 6/1/2006 9:32:36 AM

Is there a specific type of brush or comb that is used to brush/comb wet or damp fur?

jennie_c_d

Posted : 6/1/2006 1:06:46 PM

On a coat like Willow's, I usually just use a slicker brush, and a blow drier.

cavowner

Posted : 6/1/2006 6:55:19 PM

I only used a stainless wide tooth comb on the Chows, the teeth were all rounded and didn't scratch. I did try a good brand slicker brush for a while but found it tended to tear the coat. I'd only comb a wet coat very gently, the wet hair can stretch and break in any breed. Towel dry & blow dry first, dogs were always combed well before bathing [

] I did use a finer comb on ears & feet.
I've not used a brush for years, just various combs.
I tend to be fussy about coat care as most of my dogs are/were shown.

willowchow

Posted : 6/1/2006 10:35:25 PM

Thanks guys. I just gave her a bath, only the second one I've ever done myself. It's a lot of work and who knew she would shake while still in the tub! Good thing it's really warm here! I don't think I'll be doing this in the winter.

willowchow

Posted : 6/3/2006 10:24:33 PM

Well, I couldn't decide what I wanted to I got her a long toothed undercoat rake and a gentle slicker brush. I really like them both and have tried them.

Question--The undercoat rake, am I doing something wrong? It seemed like I was pulling a lot. Is there a particular way to use it that I don't know??

Thanks.

I looked at the combs too, they didn't seem strong enough. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get it thru her coat.

kennel_keeper

Posted : 6/4/2006 5:40:05 AM

If you use a good spray on coat conditioner (the leave in type) it will make brushing and combing much easier. It also helps to shed that stubborn undercoat and make her look shiney and full.

There are alot of them on the market, but I tend to like the "natural" ones best. Espree [linkhttp://www.espree.com/petprods.asp]http://www.espree.com/petprods.asp[/link] makes a lavender one that smells nice and makes brushing easier. Natures' Specialties [linkhttp://www.naturespecialties.com/NSDogs.html]http://www.naturespecialties.com/NSDogs.html[/link] makes one called "Quicker Slicker" that you can actually add into your shampoo or spray directly on wet/damp or dry coats and won't leave a residue. It also aids in drying and is NON-TOXIC.

Of course, I am sure that others will have their favorites that they would like to share.

Debbi

Posted : 6/4/2006 9:43:23 AM

I used to use a rake, but mine hated it. I guess it did pull more. So now I just use a slicker brush, then follow up with pin brush and comb when they are wet. I dont give them baths myself, always take them to groomer, but they like to play in the water outside when dh is washing cars or watering flowers.

cavowner

Posted : 6/4/2006 6:42:09 PM

Best to bath a Chow neckid [

]
Grab hold of her ears to stop her shaking with Not Yet or just plain NO.

The undercoat rakes do pull, chucked mine in the bin after a week or so. Split the coat bottom to top & back to front ~ Comb out gently with a Wide tooth comb, you may find a slicker works OK for you. Everyone is different.

Can you get Willow to lay on her side while being groomed? (Tummy Rub :-)

) It does take a while and my lazy lot used to go to sleep on the grooming table. Plus it's easier to groom armpits and underneath that way.
Best.

willowchow

Posted : 6/5/2006 6:22:29 PM

Yes, she will lay down for me to do underneath and is very good about being groomed.

I'll have to practice with the rake a little more, I did like the job it did.

Thanks!

micksmom

Posted : 6/5/2006 6:57:29 PM

ORIGINAL: cavowner
...Can you get Willow to lay on her side while being groomed? (Tummy Rub ) It does take a while and my lazy lot used to go to sleep on the grooming table. Plus it's easier to groom armpits and underneath that way.

It's easier to trim nails and the hair between the pads and clean ears when they'r eon their side, too. [

]

willowchow

Posted : 6/5/2006 9:47:56 PM

Mick's mom--I just started giving her bath's myself. I think I'm going to let the groomer still trim and do the nails, ect. I don't think I can do a chow haircut. Could I??

micksmom

Posted : 6/7/2006 7:58:38 AM

ORIGINAL: willowchow
Mick's mom--I just started giving her bath's myself. I think I'm going to let the groomer still trim and do the nails, ect. I don't think I can do a chow haircut. Could I??

Sure you could! It depends on how calm Willow is about it. I used to trim our friend's Golden. I didn't shave him, I only shortend the length of his outer coat and feathers.

willowchow

Posted : 6/7/2006 8:04:16 AM

Thanks!

Anyone--OK, another undercoat rake question--Is it possible to take too much undercoat off?? If so, how do I know when it's too much. Keeping in mind that the undercoat is fairly thinned out now since it's warm. Thanks!

cavowner

Posted : 6/7/2006 6:46:34 PM

ORIGINAL: willowchow

Thanks!

Anyone--OK, another undercoat rake question--Is it possible to take too much undercoat off?? If so, how do I know when it's too much. Keeping in mind that the undercoat is fairly thinned out now since it's warm. Thanks!

Yep [

] You can take out too much undercoat just be gentle and all should be well. It will grow back.....
I only ever trimmed under & around the Chows little cat feet and trimmed their claws. I never trimmed their beautiful coats. Black claws so I often used a carpenters hand file like a nail file so I didn't to take too much claw off.
Best.

willowchow

Posted : 6/7/2006 7:54:07 PM

Thank you. She just isn't really into the rake, so I'm not going to use it too much. She's really, really good about getting groomies and I don't want her to start hating it. But, I do like the way it cleans up all the thickness underneath.

I'm afraid to do the nails, I think I'm going to have the groomer trim her up good and do the nails and then for the rest of the summer I'll do the baths and brushing.