Tools for Good Grooming

We all know that good feeling we get after a professional hairstyling session. We feel clean, we feel confident. The same holds true for our dogs. Grooming not only makes our dogs look good, but even the simplest home grooming can help our dogs feel good, too!

Even more importantly, grooming can help our dogs stay healthy.

So, which tools do you need for your dog? The answer depends on your dog’s breed, fur, activities and even the weather conditions. Here’s a look at some of the most popular dog grooming tools.

1. Rubber Friction Brush: This easy-to-use brush with rubber nubs is a win-win for you and your dog, ranking as a top tool among many dog lovers because there’s no need to worry about hitting a tangle. For dogs that shed, we recommend a good soft rubber friction brush. No matter how hard you brush, you cannot hurt your dog, and it gets off more unwanted hair than its metal counterparts.
2. Bristle Brush: Like a natural bristled human brush, these brushes are soft and gentle on fur. Because they’re made from natural material, they don’t create the static buildup of many nylon brushes, and they distribute the oils throughout your dog’s coat while smoothing out the fur, especially on longhaired breeds.
3. Metal Comb: Do you have a non-shedder? Single coat dogs may just need a metal comb to help work out the kinks. For dogs who do not shed, we recommend metal combs over brushes.
4. De-shedding Comb with Blade: The blade combined with the short comb helps remove shed fur, especially important during the spring months when your dog may “blow” his coat.
5. Shedding Blade: Resembling a looped hacksaw blade with a handle, the shedding blade brushes over your dog’s coat to remove loose fur.
6. Shedding Rake: Like the name suggests, this rake features widely spaced, downward-facing tines that rake through your dog’s coat and remove the loose undercoat.
7. Pin Brush: Useful for grooming the coats of longhaired and double-coated dogs as well as wire-haired breeds, these brushes are designed to work through tangles.
8. Slicker Brush: Most often used for curly coated dogs or breeds with medium to long fur, the slicker brush is made of fine wires spaced closely together to remove mats and shed fur. These brushes must be used with care so as not to scratch your dog’s skin.
9. Hound Glove: Are you all thumbs when it comes to brushes and combs? The Hound glove might be just the answer; all you have to do is slip this rubber glove over your hand and pet your dog! The glove helps brush your dog’s coat and add shine to it.
10. Dog Shampoo: Part of good grooming is a bath — but don’t reach for your own shampoo. Human shampoos are too acidic, and using them will dry out your dog’s skin and strip the coat of needed oils. Dog shampoos are specially formulated for your dog’s skin.
11. Ear Cleansers: Our Irie’s long Hound ears provide the perfect environment for yeast buildup. We use gentle ear cleansers and cotton balls to keep her ears clean and dry.
12. Nail Trimmer: Nail trimming isn’t a favorite task for dogs or dog lovers, but it’s a very necessary one. Long nails aren’t just hazardous for your floors and upholstery; they’re a health hazard for your dog as well. Long nails can cause pain as your dog walks or, even worse, they can snag and be torn from the nail bed. Perhaps the most important tool to have when grooming your dog is one you cannot buy, however: patience. Take your time grooming your dog, talk in happy tones, share a special treat, and transform grooming from a chore into a positive bonding experience!