Dog grooming hacks

As dog owners, we’re used to having a piece of them with us wherever we go; yes, we’re talking about fur! 

No matter how hard you try, it ends up in places you didn’t even know dog fur could reach. That’s because our dogs moult to keep their coats healthy, but sometimes they need help to stay properly groomed.

Here are some top tips, owner hacks, and expert advice when it comes to grooming your pooch, along with hints about keeping your home as fur-free as possible...

Why do dogs moult?

First things first, we need to know why dogs lose their hair.

Shedding occurs when a dog loses dead or damaged fur, to help make room for new, healthy hair to grow. The amount a dog sheds will vary depending on their breed and health. Some dogs shed all year ‘round, others shed seasonally in summer, while many dogs won’t shed much at all.

Regardless of when and how much they moult, we need to give our canine companions a lending paw when it comes to grooming and tidying up after them, too!

Brushing

Brushing your dog’s fur removes any dead hair or debris, helps loosen matted clumps, and keeps their coat healthy by stimulating blood circulation near the surface of their skin. Plus, brushing distributes the natural oils in their fur.  

Regularly brushing your dog gives you the opportunity to check for any injuries or unwanted pests, like ticks and fleas. It’s also a great chance to bond with your pooch! So, don’t miss the chance to spend some quality time with your dog, and set up a daily brushing session with them.

Here are our top tips for brushing your canine companion:

Make sure you have the right brush

We know this sounds obvious, but making sure you have the right brush for your dog’s coat will make things much easier when it comes to actually brushing them.

Slicker brush

This type of brush works with all coat types. It has a flat or curved head with rows of thin wire pins. 

The slicker brush is designed to make brushing easy, fast, and painless, by helping to remove dirt, loosen dead hair, and detangle any matted fur.

Pin brush

A lot like the slicker brush, the pin brush’s wire pins are tipped with plastic or rubber. 

Made for longer coat types, the pin brush helps get rid of tangles and matted fur, keeping your dog’s coat free from dirt and pests, like fleas and ticks.

Bristle brush

Typically used for dogs with short, smooth, or wiry coats, the bristle brush is ideal for those who shed often, since the natural bristles remove loose hair and stimulate circulation.

Shedding blade

A shedding blade is a horseshoe-shaped comb with small, harmless teeth. It’s designed to strip loose hairs on flat, short, or combination coats.

Undercoat rake

This tool has many small, sharp, curved blades set close together, to help remove undercoat – leaving your dog’s fur shiny and healthy. With a variety of tooth widths available, an undercoat rake is suitable for a wide range of breeds.

Brush before bathing

Giving your dog a quick brush, and detangling their hair, before you give them a bath will help make things a lot easier once they’re out of it. By brushing your dog’s coat before their bath, you’ll prevent any matts from getting worse from the scrubbing – hopefully making their post-wash brush a breeze!

Give them a special treat

If you struggle to get your dog to stay still whenever you try to brush them, why not give them a long-lasting treat to keep them busy? 

Tough chews, like Yakers (made from Himalayan yak milk), can help provide your dog with the distraction they need while you concentrate on the task at hand.

Bathing

Regular baths are an important part of the grooming process, since bathing helps to keep your dog’s coat clean after their adventures. 

How hard can it be to bathe a dog? Sometimes, it’s harder than you might think! 

Here are our hacks to help with washing your pooch:

Exercise before their bath

Having a steady dog will make washing them a lot easier! 

Taking your pooch for a walk, or having a quick game of fetch, before their bath should help tire them out, so they’ll stay settled when needed.

Non-slip bathmat

Do you wash your dog in a bath? If so, you may find that sometimes your dog slips, which can scare them at a time you need them to be calm and comfortable.

Non-slip bathtub mats can help to prevent your dog from slipping – making bath time much more enjoyable for your dog and a little less wet for you!

Peanut butter wall

Smear some dog-friendly (xylitol-free) peanut butter on the wall of your bath or on the tiles next to it (depending on the height of your pooch). 

Pet-safe peanut butter is the perfect distraction to keep fidgety dogs still during bath time.

Pet hair cleaning hacks

Window squeegee

Surprisingly, a window squeegee is the perfect tool to help lift all the hair (and other bits) from carpets, sofas, and fabrics, thanks to its rubber blade. Even after hoovering, you might be surprised as to what you manage to collect with the squeegee!

Rubber gloves

If you don’t have any fancy tools for helping rid your rugs of fur, don’t fret – all you need is a pair of rubber gloves. No, really; just put them on, get them wet, and rub your hands along the surfaces you’d like to de-hair.

Hair roller

There are various pet hair remover rollers available that provide an effective way to help keep your home, clothes, and furniture fur-free! Reusable and easy to use, pet hair rollers offer a more sustainable option when it comes to picking up pet hair. 

Do you have any dog grooming hacks that your canine companion enjoys? If so, please share your top tips with our followers on Facebook or Instagram!