Tricks of the trade??

[DAWNMERIE]

What tricks or secrets am I not aware of when it comes to shampooing a newf and not getting mats or serious tangles? Do you only shampoo with the direction of the coat?

I keep my pups a bit on the longer side but I comb and blow before I bathe but I still have mats. This year seems worse that others and only difference I can see is the shampoo (Mane & Tail vs Baby shampoo) and I did not dillute it. I used Ice on Ice afterward but still have to pull those mats and I know it bothers them, any way to avoid this?

 

[new_2_newf]

hmm...are you getting mats in the undercoat or something more like a 'rats nest' and tangles in the longer, wispy hair?

 

[Elizabeth]

Are you using conditioner? I've been using Tropiclean papaya plus 2 in 1 shampoo/conditioner with Ice on Ice afterwards and have had very good luck.
I'd love to try some of the Chris Christensen shampoo/conditioners.

E

 

[Brandie&Maggie]

Maggie has long hair too. I dilute the shampoo and use a rag to rub it in. I use my hands to scrub the really thick parts, but I'm just careful as I scrub. I then dilute the conditioner and pour that over her with a bucket. I work out any little tangles I find while I rub that in. Seems to work ok...I usually only get a couple of small things to pull out after she's done.

I use either Day 2 Day or Earth Bath.

 

[new_2_newf]

i'm not fancy....i use Palmolive, regular old Palmolive. I fill several buckets with water, add in shampoo until it's ready it's sudsy, then use a pitcher to pour it over the boys and rub it in to work up a lather. I do a good scrub down, then rinse. I don't normally add in a conditioner, and sometimes use the fancy expensive shampoo on the feathers and stuff. once the boys are dried, I use "The Stuff" or Ice on Ice as a conditioner as we're brushing.

 

[R Taft]

I only use horse or dog shampoos, but i sponge it on. I have my show shampoos and they are sprayed on. I do use a lot of conditioner and Ice on ice or Cowboy sheen

 

[Tricia2]

Be sure to dilute your shampoo and conditioner (use empty dish detergent bottles.) If the coat is not slippery after the conditioning, apply additional conditioner to the matted areas. Rinse, rinse, rinse and when you think you've rinsed enough, rinse again. Then blow the coat in the direction of hair growth until no water is dripping off and spray the feathers, neck, soft cotton-candy hair behind ears, pantaloons and tail with a leave-in conditioner like Ice on Ice or The Stuff. Work the spray conditioner through with your fingers or a wide toothed comb and wait until the dog is just damp to do your final blow-out.

 

[Jeannie]

I don't think diluting the shampoo will make a difference. I use a scrunchie. I wet the dog then put the shampoo on the scrunchie and scrub away. I do not run in circles - ever. That tends to make mats. When blowing dry blow the hair straight not in a circle. The straighter you keep the coat the less mats you will get. I prefer to use dog shampoo as the PH balance is difference than people shampoos. Horse shampoos are very close in PH to a dog. I don't like Mane and Tail because IMO it coats the coat with a waxy build up.

 

[DAWNMERIE]

It's always the center of their backs...these mats seem to be left over undercoat that gets stuck (really stuck-down to the skin) in the normal coat...I took a picture but forgot the camera to download. They twitch pretty good and even get a bit frustrated when I go to comb them out, just looking to avoid it if I can in the future.

It's my first time using the mane & tail, it seemed very thick, which Vin liked cause he could get a good lather going. I've used Cowboy Magic but I've had greasy spots where I didn't rub it in properly. I like the ice on ice but seems that it works better for me as a spray on after they are damp and partially blown out, not right after the shampoo rinse, which we did this time.

I'm just trying to avoid those mats on the back, the rest of the coat seem to come out normal and pretty easily so I thinking maybe Vin is scrubbing that part in circles to get a good lather???

 

[Tricia2]

I think every groomer has their own techniques and product lines that they like. I dilute my shampoo because I have a power wash system that mixes and dispenses automatically. For felted coats (undercoat matted close to the skin), I use a Zoom Groom soft rubber curry with shampoo and I use Nature's Specialties EZ Shed Conditioner which I comb into the coat, let it sit for 5 minutes, rinse and then blast out the loosened dead hair. Wear goggles...the fur flies.

 

[dumainedogs]

I always make sure I have brushed/combed every inch of Obie before I get him wet. Water tends to "felt up" matted spots and make them even worse, so it is the work I do -before- the bath that helps avoid problems after. Sound like you're already doing that, though. I've also been using the Panagenics products. You actually condition first and then shampoo. I haven't had any problems.

 

[new_2_newf]

Sulley seems to have an extraordinary amount of undercoat along his spine...i'm not sure why, but it's always there, and always coming out. I use a fine tooth comb to run down the 2 or 3 inches on either side of the spine before a bath, or we can get those same nasty mats. I work my fingers to get a good lather, like you would in your own hair. It's a massage for him and he LOVES it, it gets right down to the skin, no circling required. He's a guy and if he has short hair, he probably does wash his own hair by rubbing in circles, but anyone with long hair knows how to work their fingers