Grooming - hints & tips please

[D1ngledanglers]

I have a couple of double coated collie type dogs and wonder whether I'm missing a trick with their grooming regime. They're brushed nearly every day, bathed when needed, dog blaster used when wet. I have slickers ( bit old now), pin head brush, de-shedding comb, bristle brushes.
Is there a routine or a piece of equipment which has really benefited you?

[tabulahrasa]

A tangle teaser was great for my foster collie - think people on here recommended it tbh

[D1ngledanglers]

Thank you @tabulahrasa.
I've looked it up on Amazon.....
Can I please ask.... Why were you impressed by the tangle teezer?
Thanks

[Ylvamoon]

I have an undercoat comb (not a rake!!) on my Tibetans every day, then brush them about 2-3 times a week thoroughly.
I also use a grooming spray with conditioner and of course de- tangle dog shampoo (from groomers) every 3-4 weeks.

[tabulahrasa]

Same reason as on kids hair tbh, lol, works really well as a brush without tugging or being scratchy.

It was really handy with that dog because he was really anxious, and grooming scared him, but he was much happier with the tangle teaser.

[NannyPear]

I have tried loads of grooming tools on my shelties and the Pet Teezer is used the most. I have the shedding one I think. Otherwise, a bath and blow dry every 6 weeks makes the biggest difference. Also like to keep on top of trimming the fur between their pads and digits. Also, and please excuse this awful phrase... Cutting out a "poop chute" under their tail. It definitely cuts down the frequency of having to clean the fur at their back end after toilets!

[moosemama]

I recently bought a Groomi. (Impulse buy from a FB advert when I was bored during lockdown. ) I’ve had all sorts of deshedding tools and tonnes of different brushes and combs over the years, but I am really impressed with this one. I was so relieved it works, as dh was seriously unimpressed with me for ordering it.

My boy is a long-coated Lurcher, who sheds in clouds constantly and the Groomi brings the fur out In bagfuls without bothering him at all. He usually hates being groomed, but he lies there quite happily while I use it, which is also a first. Since we’ve had it he has looked so much tidier and we haven’t had to deal with constant fur bunnies blowing around the house sticking to everything.

This is it.

[D1ngledanglers]

Thank you all.
I will up their regime & look at getting a few more items.
I used to use a conditioning spray regularly ( manes & tails, I think) but fell out of the routine.
I'll look into shampoos & sprays again. I'm wary of chemicals etc & drying skin with cheapo versions from pet shops so I'll look online, unless anyone has any recommendations.
Thanks

[Ylvamoon]

@D1ngledanglers - if you are looking into spray and shampoo, go for the professional grooming stuff. You literally get them by the bucket load (3- 10 litres!). They are initially expensive but will last forever. Groomers & Whal are the obvious ones.... but don't buy the small petshop version, they are overpriced.
I also 2nd the "clearing of hygiene area" - as my groomer calls it - to avoid clumps and stains.
If your dogs go to the groomers, talk to them they can point you in the right direction of products for your dogs coat.

[Borderstotheleftofme]

Are we referring to a ‘lassie’ type collie here or a ‘border/sheepdog’ type collie?

Because the two coat types are totally different.
I have a border collie, long coated and I just use an undercoat rake, the simple type with widely spaced teeth.
Occasionally a quick once over with a pin brush

[RiaRoth]

@Yvlamoon is there a specific reason you dont use a rake?

[ladybee28]

@moosemama I've just been watching the videos on the Groomi homepage for 10 minutes with my mouth open.

That is the most satisfying thing I have EVER SEEN.

[Borderstotheleftofme]

That ‘groomi’ looks like a version of furminator and looks like it’ll cut the guard hair on a long coated dog.
I had a very similar looking tool and it pulled out undercoat (and dog found it uncomfortable) and cut some of the hairs too

[Borderstotheleftofme]

As I thought

IThis product is not intended for use on animals with exceptionally long hair and/or allergies or skin conditions

It’ll cut the guard hair, it’s for short coated animals like horses and short hair dogs like jack Russells, greyhounds, Labradors etc

[moosemama]

I thought it looked like a furminator at first, but thought I’d give it a go, as he was getting so fed up with this hot weather. It doesn’t have a blade, just tiny, wider spaced teeth than the furminator and doesn’t seem to cut the fur.

My boy has an unusual mix of fur though, so maybe that’s the difference. He has long, Deerhoundy fur on his mane chest and shoulders, which I do with a mix of 4 different types of combs, but his body and back end has shorter, silky fur. Then he has some pretty spectacular bloomers, which are also done with the comb combo. (He’s Deerhound/Saluki x Greyhound/Bearded Collie.)

He’s definitely not bothered by it. Whereas he absolutely hated the rubber ‘zoom’ type brushes, curry combs, rakes and pin brushes. With this he just lies there and goes to sleep, I think because you don’t put any pressure on it at all. My old Border Collie x Belgian Terv girl was fine with a rake and wide toothed comb, but her coat was very different to his.

I suppose, as you mentioned upthread, it’s a case of what suits the individual dog’s coat. I would be interested to know what they think is ‘exceptionally long coated’ given they include Golden Retrievers on their list of breeds it’s suitable for. They also say it’s ok for Greyhounds, but personally I wouldn’t use it on one, as the teeth would be scratchy on a sparsely coated dog.

[Ylvamoon]

RiaRoth - I just get on with the comb style... but then my grooming tool of choice is my straight forward metal comb and a slicker brush for slightly mutted areas.

(I have my dogs lying flat on the floor rather than standing up so I can get into the layers easier. )

[RiaRoth]

Thanks @Ylvamoon