Puppy Grooming Question

Subverto

Subverto

New member
Nala is 19 weeks now, and in the last week has really begun to shed a lot! We have been using a slicker brush on her, but when should we transition into normal Newf grooming with a rake and Mars Coat King?

Also, how does the transition from puppy fur to adult fur go? Will she blow out her entire puppy coat and grow in an adult coat? Should this transition be treated as a regular seasonal blowing of the coat?
 
shellyk

shellyk

New member
Someone more experienced should chime in soon! But when I asked about the Mars Coat King they said to wait. I just kept brushing and combing while my pups fur changed. It went in spurts starting with her tail first. She is 9 months now and still has a little puppy fur on her legs. She is growing her adult coat but it's still short. We love the Mars Coat King to take out the undercoat. It really works great.
 
Brandie&Maggie

Brandie&Maggie

New member
Use the rake for sure.

There is a great booklet about grooming that you can order from Capri. It's under the "newf stuff for sale heading" - I have it and its very helpful. It talks about puppy grooming too!!
 
OodlesOfNoodles

OodlesOfNoodles

New member


As to how the transition will go...if Finn was any indication, it'll be awkward and hilarious haha. Note the puppy fluff head, mixed with some gorgeous curly adult fur, and spoiled slightly by tufts of random armpit fluff. His tail also seemed to be split between puppy fur and adult. He was 7 1/2 or 8 months here. At 9 months now, he's mostly adult fur (albeit short, still waiting for the length) except for some puppy fluff behind his ears and at strip on the very top of his head.

Others know best on this and will chime in I'm sure, but so far we've really only been using the slicker brush for his tail and a comb on the rest of him. I think his puppy shed combined with his first summer shed - he literally has zero undercoat at the moment. He gets brushed out about every 2nd day and we get a good handful of hair each time. After the initial big shed (which only lasted a few days for us and during which we brushed him every day), there's been noticeably less shedding.
 
new_2_newf

new_2_newf

New member
that pretty much sums it up....it will come in spurts, and they will look a little less than awesome for a while between that and the random growth spurts. just keep at it with a rake and the puppy fluff will come out, but it's different than a full coat blow. you might get away with a slicker brush in some areas, depends on the coat.

shy away from the MCK for a while yet (like a year). It's good for pulling out undercoat, but that's not what your puppy is shedding right now. if you find the puppy coat is getting tangled and hard t brush out, give it a little trim to bring back the edges a bit..it will make it easier to maintain until it's ready to come out.
 
Tricia2

Tricia2

New member
Go to PetEdge dot com and order the Oscar Frank larger slicker $3.23. This is your every day "go over the coat" slicker. http://www.petedge.com/product/Groo...e-Slicker-Brush/pc/214/c/276/sc/478/43320.uts

Then order the Master Groomer Flexible Slicker (it is amazing for getting out matts and puppy fuzz. ) This is your shedding and dematting slicker for heavy duty once a week sessions. http://www.petedge.com/product/Groo...Slicker-Brushes/pc/214/c/276/sc/478/47391.uts


Order the double-wide dark blue firm one. ($9.99) If you're going to be doing your own grooming and you're feeling flush order a second one, a single, at $7.99 If you hit a matt that you can't untangle, you can cut it (carefully, pinching it with your fingers next to the skin and clipping it with your scissors lengthwise, not straight across.) Then lay the matt against your hand and brush with your single width slicker. Don't yank, just brush until the matt breaks up. You may need to make several clips with the scissor, always protecting the skin by pinching the matt next to the skin. This works great for behind the ear, under the armpits and those pesky "pants" area tangles.

When you have all the matts out use your rake. I happen to like this one because the double teeth are good a 'catching' the undercoat. (and it's cheap, too. $7.99) Once you're matt free with your slicker, this will get out most undercoat.
http://www.petedge.com/product/Groo...Slicker-Brushes/pc/214/c/276/sc/478/47391.uts

When grooming your puppy, always start at the bottom (bottom of legs, bottom of tummy, bottonm of chest) and work upwards. Lift the coat with your hand and brush down in the direction of growth in a line. When you remove coat and are tangle free, move up an inch or so and repeat. This is called 'line brushing' and a it's very effective way to work on your dog, looking around for boo-boo's, lumps, bumps, rashes, ticks, fleas and examine your dog as you groom.

You don't have to do the whole dog all at once, pups can be done a section at a time. It's a great way to introduce grooming if you do a little bit every day, passing out liberal treats for cooperation makes it less stressful for pup.
 
Jeannie

Jeannie

Super Moderator
I rarely/never use a slicker brush on my newfs especially one like the Oscar Frank listed above. IMO firm slickers tend to damage the coat. In fact I use to have the Oscar Frank and threw it away. I didn't like it on any of my grooming dogs. (I'm a certified master groomer for 18 years and before that I groomed for a Newfoundland kennel) I am not saying a slicker is not good, I just don't like them for newfs or any drop/double coated dog.

I tend to stick to combs, brushes, the MCK and occasionally a rake for the pants. I see no reason why you cannot use the MCK to help pull out the puppy coat. I've used it when both my newfs were going through the coat change. I've also used it on many grooming newfs for the same reason.

I do use a soft slicker on the paws when grooming. the slicker brush I use the company went out of business. When I heard that I bought 10 of them. I have 5 left. Of course they get a lot of use around here with the newfs and my grooming dogs.
 
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Tricia2

Tricia2

New member
I've never had puppy coat damage from a slicker. I bred, groomed and showed Himalayan cats for 30 years. As you know, cat's skin is as delicate as rice paper and easily abraded. I have a light touch with a slicker and never drag it through a matted coat. I, too, favor combs, I use the Geib greyhound comb as my go to tool for a comb out on an unmatted coat. I own an MCK but use it sparingly because I find that it has a tendency to break guard hairs on some coats. I guess it's what tools you're comfortable and that fit your techniques.
 
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new_2_newf

new_2_newf

New member
as you can see, everyone has their own method to grooming. each dog's coat is a little different, so you might need to experiment with a variety of tools to see what works best for you guys during the coat change. just be sure you are getting right down to the skin when you brush with whatever tool you use.
 
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