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Simple advice on how to let nature do its work and improve any dog's coat - short or long, straight or curly.
By Pet Pro Supply Co. Featured Groomer,
Sasha Riess
One of the most misunderstood tasks when it comes to any dog's grooming care is brushing the coat. In seeking to frequently give our dog that nice "groomed" look, it's common to overbrush the coat. Not only can it be extremely damaging to the coat itself, it also causes great discomfort to the dog if you overbrush a dry coat.
The bath routine I suggest below is not only simple and easy to follow, but it will improve and repair any current damage to the coat.
First: stop brushing the dog between baths!
Bathe your dog once a week at most, using only a mild hypoallergenic shampoo free of all synthetic dyes, perfumes, detergents, and volume boosting agents. Follow up with a conditioner which has these same natural qualities as the shampoo. Natural ingredients work better because they more naturally sync with your dog's natural body chemistry.
Second: after towel drying the excess water, wrap the dog in a comforting warm towel. Don't forget another essential step: give him or her tender love and affection for about 5-10 minutes! Sasha Riess - wrap your dog in a warm towel and give him or her 5-10 minutes of love!
Third: Now the coat should be about 80% dry. Using a blow dryer and brush, brush out all the excess coat which has shed. Brush using long and gentle strokes, working your way from top to bottom.
You are all done!
Incorporate this routine once a week and you will begin to see immediate results as the coast begins to return to its natural healthy state.
This approach takes into account one of the biggest lessons I have learned working with dogs: humans cannot out perform nature. We must take a step back and let nature express herself - your dog was simply not made to be bathed in unnatural chemicals or to endure excessive, frequent brushing (especially of a dry coat). A properly loved and cared for dog's body will naturally heal its coat over time.
But, don't take my word for it: try it out yourself! This highly effective method works on all dog coats and is sure to make bath time the most bonding and pleasurable experience for both. With Love, Sasha
About Sasha:
Sasha Riess is one of the world's foremost experts on dog grooming and, more broadly, the human-dog relationship. Sasha has been a groomer for over 25 years and today trains more than 3,000 groomers each year around the world. Check out Sasha's site at SashaRiess.com for more tips and product recommendations.
