Shiny, Smooth, & Volumized

 I use Pantene Prov on Lillie. Yes it's human shampoo but it works great on her and she hasnt had any ill effects from it. And she gets a bath once a month. I use the conditioner too on her. I just mist her with water when I brush her daily.

She eats Wellness Core and Purina One(yes I know it's not the greatest food). Those 2 combined seem to work for her.

I use a regular 8 dollar blow dry I got at Big Lots. It has 2 heat speeds and a cooling button. 

And my results are:

 

 I've been using Nature's Specialty neem shampoo, and their leave in sun protection conditioner. It makes Emma's coat SOooOOoo nice. Not  terrier-nice, but pet-dog-nice. My friend uses the same on her coated Chinese Cresteds, so I know it's nice on coated dogs, too.

 

Em's coat has natural sparkle. Some of her hairs are silver! It's very pretty. She eats raw, with a rotation of healthy oils added, MSM, vit e, vit a, raw egg, and some canned fish.

 

I use a Metro force dryer, on her coat. Love force dryers. No damaging heat. 

POMERANIAN

BATHING

I rotate between different dog specific shampoos. Currently I am using SPA: Dogs: For Sensitive Skin.

She is fed Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison. She is also only given Natural Balance treats (sweet potato & duck/fish). Occasionally I will give her sardines.

We use the andis QuietAire 1875 dog blow-dryer. The heat levels are perfect and it is very quiet! Results are wonderful! More volume, fluff, and even coat. [Pomeranians should NEVER be "cage-dryed" (keep this in mind when picking a groomer)]

[will add a picture here next time I give her a bath for finished results (I also need to find my camera battery... haha)]

GROOMING

Brushed DAILY. Slicker Brush, Pin Brush, and Fine Comb. We use the Comb the most.

Before brushing I always use PUREJOY [Advanced Care] Shine & De-tangle Grooming Spray (Moisturize & Conditioner). Keeps her coat very soft, smooth, and maintained.

Her hair is trimmed with scissors (as needed) to even out adult hair growth. She is never shaved or cut; only maintained (kind of like a hedge/bush? keeping all areas even). This only needs to be done once every 6 months to a year.

For awesome grooming ideas PM forum member Pwca. She has helped me maintain & resolve grooming issues with my own dog :o)

I never take her to the groomers (after multiple horror stories) and I taught myself how to do it. It is fun & easy; also creates wonderful bonding time between you and your dog!

If you do not wish to groom your dog(s) yourself I recommend researching for the proper grooming salon. Also be sure to be very specific as to what hair style you would like for your dog(s).

Definitely. The more specific you are with a groomer, the more likely you'll be happy. Don't ever get annoyed at the 4 million questions. We're just trying to find out what you want!

 

And.... I wouldn't kennel dry a Pom. It'd make the coat crinkly and ugly. Nobody wants ickity coats! I force and fluff dry all of my coated dogs, from Poodles to Poms to Chinese Cresteds

My dogs are pretty easy.  For every day grooming, I just wash with one of my million shampoos...my favorites are Tropiclean Oatmeal/Tea Tree, SPA Lavendar, and Shimmer Lights.  Show grooming isn't much more except that I let the Shimmer Lights stay on a bit longer.  I don't usually force dry because they dry so fast.  Especially for shows, I just let them air dry and brush with a slicker a few times while drying to help it dry straight. Then I do some stripping/rolling the coat.  They come out looking perfect.  Shimmer Lights is the best shampoo ever for whitening. 

For the shih-tzu that I groom, I wash her with her allergy shampoo first, then Shimmer Lights.  I put her in a crate with a fan to dry most of the way.  Then I take her out and dry her with my cool-air dryer(not force) while brushing.  Then I do all of my cutting.  She is kept short due to allergies.  She comes out super cute each time.

Colleen, have you ever used #1 All Systems whitening shampoo? You prefer Shimmer Lights?

 

Emma's coat is... decidedly off-white, buuut I do like to use a good, whitening shampoo every so often to brighten her up a bit. Recently, one of her collars has stained her coat, so she's about to get a whitening bath. That's the whitening shampoo I've got, and I like it a lot.
 

My favorite two brands that I can get at Petco and Petsmart are Nova Pearls and Miracle
Coat. 

jennie_c_d

Colleen, have you ever used #1 All Systems whitening shampoo? You prefer Shimmer Lights?

 

Emma's coat is... decidedly off-white, buuut I do like to use a good, whitening shampoo every so often to brighten her up a bit. Recently, one of her collars has stained her coat, so she's about to get a whitening bath. That's the whitening shampoo I've got, and I like it a lot.
 

 

We have a gallon of that All Systems whitening shampoo at my mentor's.  I do not like it at all.  I don't think it does nearly as good of a job as the Shimmer Lights.   The only time I use it is when I am grooming our non-showing dogs.  I just don't think it seems to get them as clean.  I think we've had that same gallon well over a year now.

That's interesting to hear. Em is the only light colored dog I've had, and the only one who I get to play with shampoos on. I've got some Chris Christenson White On White shampoo ordered. I'll have to try Shimmer Lights, too.

 

At work, we just have the Hydrosurge whitening stuff, which does exactly nothing. 

  What is your favorite shampoo, conditioner, and combing spray to use?

I use either Plush Puppy Deep Cleansing shampoo or Neutrogena Anti Residue. No conditioner because Beardies are supposed to have texture. For brushing out, I use Plush Puppy Reviva Coat or Bumble and Bumble Prep, both do not soften the coat but help when brushing out under the dryer. I bathe once a week, no more no less. I don't usually brush out during the week unless leaves or other debris gets caught up in his hair, but I do powder his beard with baby powder a few times a week to dry up all the moisture from drinking and drooling. Even with frequent bathing, I've never ever had a problem with dry skin or itchiness.

What are your favorite foods to feed?

Right now I feed Blue Buffalo with a little bit of canned whatever mixed in.  

What is your favorite blow-dryer?

I have a Metro Air Force Stand Dryer. Its been run over by a car, stepped on, knocked over, traveled 3000 miles across the country and it still works GREAT!

And the proof that this regimen works is in the loooong luxurious hair! lol

 

Artisan, O My Stars (I think that's the name) is gorgeous!  Where do you get the shampoos and combing spray that you use?  I was thinking of trying in on Pooch (black and white dog on the right in my siggy) and we're told she's a Lhasa or a Lhasa mix.

 You can get Plush Puppy online or at a dog show. Their US website is here http://www.plushpuppyusa.com/home.html The Neutrogena shampoo you can find at a grocery store or pharmacy. It comes in a square white box. The Bumble and Bumble spray you have to get from a hair salon, I know Target now carries Bumble and Bumble, but not the prep. Their website has a store locator. http://www.bumbleandbumble.com/.

While I'm busy plugging products, the brushes and combs are just as important as the products, if not more. I use a Mason Pearson bristle brush for his long sections on the sides, as well as on the more delicate areas. Then I finish off with a pin brush, one without ball tips, Chris Christensen makes really nice ones. (http://www.chrissystems.com/brushes.htm its the 27mm one 2nd row from the bottom). And of course a good greyhound comb for working out knots. http://www.pfpinternational.com/

 

 

Thank you for those links! I enjoyed browsing their products.

I love having a German Shepherd!  Over grooming makes them look ridiculous.  For UKC you're not really even supposed to groom them.

I brush her out with a rake once or twice a week.  Once a week or so I spray Miracle Coat on her before I brush.  I really like the Miracle Coat.  Kenya is a like sable so she gets that dry, moldy look.  The Miracle Coat makes her black saddle and ticking look more full and sleek.  I like to brush damp, so I typically do it after they play in the snow.

When I bathe, I use the spray shampoo provided at the bathing station.  It's tea trea oil.  I don't like any distinguishable scent on my dogs.  I bathe as-needed only (once every 2-3 months usually).

I feed Canidae or Nature's Variety, topped with cottage cheese, raw eggs, and sardines. 

Coke's routine is the same, except less bathing b/c he hates it and more brushing because he has a long coat and will get mats.