Coat Handler

[Puppypeoplenj]

Hi Everyone,

Orca's 9 months tomorrow and I'm having a lot of trouble keeping up with the matting on his coat. I got an Oster's rake and that's been helping somewhat, but it feels like every morning I find another mat on him. I'm working part time, now, so I also don't have as much time to groom him as I used to. I've even cut back on his daily swimming, but that doesn't seem to be making much of a difference.

1) I looked through the old threads here and found recommendations for Coat Handler conditioner (and shampoo, I assume?). Do you think this would help with the matting? And other shampoo/conditioner recommendations? On their site I found "Coat Handler Undercoat Control" conditioner. Anyone tried this? I think it might be worth a shot...

2) Orca's a puppy, I know, but grooming him continues to be a challenge because he just won't stay still. Okay, here's the thing, it's really gross but...Orca LOVES to eat hair. Really, it's true. So when I'm grooming him and it's a hairfest, he's just beside himself trying to get to the rake/comb/brush to eat the fur! Does anyone have tips for how to make him better at grooming? He's just getting too big for this!

 

[takemebacktotulsa]

To get him to stay and used to being groomed I'd suggest investing in a grooming table. The table will help keep him still and save your back in the process. I really like the Groom Right table--you can wash, dry and groom on it. Willis used to eat hair, too, but he's now outgrown that. I think it's a puppy thing and will pass. We use Ice on Ice and rarely have issues with matting BUT mine doesn't have the super thick coat others have. Good luck!

 

[wrknnwf]

If you get a table, which I agree will help, DO NOT leave him for one second on that table alone. A fractious dog can jump off and hang himself.

My dogs all ate hair too, but outgrew that stage. I keep a plastic bag close and put the clumps of fur in there.

There's no substitute for regular grooming and I wouldn't put my faith in any product. Some may help a bit, but none will solve the problem. It's just the nature of Newf fur to clump up overnight. SIGH.

I use Coat Handler shampoo and conditioner myself. When Piper was a pup and I was showing her, she got bathed at least once a week. Her coat WAS in great condition then and I was happy with the shampoo, but I think it was the constant grooming that made the difference, more than the product.

However, you may have a totally different experience. Newfs vary widely in their coats, so I think it's worth trying to find a product that works for you.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

A grooming table will help. I distribute GroomRight tables. They are sturdy, are adjustable and come in cool colors! Ice on Ice is a good conditioning spray to help with mats. Eating hair is not unusual.

 

[Puppypeoplenj]

Thanks so much for the advice. I'd love to get him a grooming table but it's just not in the budget right now (he's being picked up from surgery as I type).

It's frustrating because I've brushed him out AT LEAST twice or three times a week since I brought him home in February (and there have been many weeks when I brushed him every single day), and I don't usually have a second person to distract him with treats, and I know we're going to be fighting this battle for a LONG time, so it would be nice if he actually enjoyed it, or stayed still at least! By the way, "not as often as I used to" means once or twice a week, so he's not being neglected or anything. I'm thinking of taking him to a groomer so they can get him under control, and then we can start fresh? I just can't find a groomer nearby who has any experience with newfs, and he's a 9 month old puppy who has suddenly become deaf to commands and fidgets like crazy, so I'm nervous about his bad behavior in a shop full of new dogs and smells without me.

Anyway... I will try the Coat Handler, and keep slicker brushing and raking. It might be time to get his first "real" comb, too...

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

I am far from a expert, but all rakes are not created equal. I have some that I bought that do not seem to really dig out the under coat. All are double row, but I think the longer ones do not work as well.

 

[takemebacktotulsa]

Hey Courtnie, don't get discouraged. He's in the throes of teenagedom and he's going to grow up and calm down eventually. Getting a greyhound comb is going to be a HUGE help! If I had to pick one tool to groom with, it would be the comb. Look up line combing videos and start with a small area on his backside while distracting him with a stuffed kong. Keep up the good work and he'll come to enjoy it eventually, or at least give up the fight!

 

[AngusMcDubhsMom]

I don't have a grooming table in the budget either so I attache Traveler and/or Gracie to the deck railing and that at least keeps them in place. I too use Ice on Ice or Mane & Tail for mats. And I have to fight Traveler for the fur...he devours it as fast as he can if I don't catch him. Glad to hear others say he'll grow out of that habit.

 

[DAWNMERIE]

If the table isn't in your budget, trust me neither is the grooming. My area, all the local grooming places wanted upwards of $150 for grooming Zeke. Mind you, I think Jess's groomer (which is north) is reasonable. I opted to always groom myself.

Orca is under a year and still shedding that puppy coat and it takes a lot of combing and brushing until it comes out. I used to brush everyday, and yes....he fought me every step of the way, but the trick that worked for me...was he loved to chew while I brushed (the rubber handle of my brushes, my arm, a few water bottles-anything within reach) So I ended up with nylabones and a leather toy that was worth every penny I paid. I'd put a high valve treat in his vision and groom about 1/2 then treat and give him a break and go back at him the same way later that night. I still fight with him to this day but now that high valve treat is a cheese stick and it sits in front of his nose until I say he can have it. Work on your commands (leave it, drop it etc), it pays off in the long run

 

[chumleysma]

Courtnie...Wait 'till the adult coat is complete! It was terrible for me. The rear end and feathers matted whenever I missed his routine grooming. I just cut those mats out now, plus the ones behind his ears. I agree about the rakes. They vary widely in their effectiveness.

 

[mrs big dogs]

He looks like a landseer, I have had 2 Landseers and their coats always matted more than my Blacks, just have to keep up with it and use the right tools

 

[dreamchaser456]

I have much better luck controlling the matting by combing more than raking. I have a double row rake I go over the coat with first (make sure it has the longer pins) and then I comb all over again. I have an almost 3 year old Landseer and he will matt overnight as well. I usually comb out every day but if I can't get to him all one day, I will just comb through the spots I know matt up quickly. He's the first Landseer I've had and even his feathers will matt fast!
I didn't have the budget for a grooming table either, so I got a few (3 I think) of 2x4's and half a sheet of 3/4" plywood and built one in about an hour and it's not that expensive. If you know the size you want, most places will even cut it to size for you right there.

 

[DAWNMERIE]

I love those wash/dry stands that they have at the Nationals, if anyone has those blue prints I'd be ever so grateful. Oh and thought I'd also mention the Mars Coat King, it's a big help at thinning the coat out, if needed...but if you purchase be careful cause you can get carried away.

 

[Jeannie]

1. You need to use a comb. Get a med/course comb.
2. You need to separate the hair and comb from the skin out. This takes awhile to do.
3. A Mars Coat King is a must. You can get one at groomersmall.com You want to purchase the double wide 18 blade. Get an extra set of blades.
3. A dryer will help blow out the dead coat. You can also use it on low to separate the coat and comb.
4. You need to get him up off the ground. You can do this by purchasing a grooming table. Or you can put him in a picnic table or something very sturdy. Have someone hold him.
5. There is no magic conditioner that will stop the matting. Just good old fashioned combing. You can make a grooming spray with any conditioner. Just dilute it about 15 to 1 with hot water and shake. If you don't use hot water the product will separate.

 

[Puppypeoplenj]

1. You need to use a comb. Get a med/course comb.
2. You need to separate the hair and comb from the skin out. This takes awhile to do.
3. A Mars Coat King is a must. You can get one at groomersmall.com You want to purchase the double wide 18 blade. Get an extra set of blades.
3. A dryer will help blow out the dead coat. You can also use it on low to separate the coat and comb.
4. You need to get him up off the ground. You can do this by purchasing a grooming table. Or you can put him in a picnic table or something very sturdy. Have someone hold him.
5. There is no magic conditioner that will stop the matting. Just good old fashioned combing. You can make a grooming spray with any conditioner. Just dilute it about 15 to 1 with hot water and shake. If you don't use hot water the product will separate.

Okay, will get a comb. I'm already line brushing with the slicker brush and rake (breeder showed me how). Thank you so much for all the suggestions!