Overcoming Grooming Fears: The Hairbrush and the Blowdryer

The condition of your pet's fur may be less than flattering due to their affinity for romping in mud and sifting through garbage cans, but what can you do if your mangy-looking friend is terrified of the grooming tools needed to clean up their act? The razor-toothed hairbrush and loud, scary blowdryer may send many pets bolting to the nearest hiding place, but there are ways to help your pet become accustomed to, and possibly even comfortable with, these grooming necessities.

The Hairbrush
Once you're ready to combat your pet's tangles, put them into proper grooming stance. "While you are brushing your pet, it is often best if it's in a standing position," says Jen Quick, Director of the Fur Institute, a grooming school located in Alberta, Canada. "You can keep them standing by placing one hand between their back legs and resting it on their belly."

Another crucial step in maintaining your pet's patience with grooming is to give them frequent breathers. "You may want to give your pet a little bit of a break if it is taking more than a half hour to remove all tangles from their fur," suggested Quick.

Some animals may become agitated while you're brushing their tangles out, and could wiggle or even try to snap at you. In this situation, "place your hand around the animal's muzzle to keep their mouth closed, and in a stern voice, tell them 'no,'" advised Quick. If your pet continues to bite or growl, you must regain control over the situation. "You can flip them on their back, make eye contact, and tell them 'no,'" said Quick. "Do not break eye contact until they look away first." If all else fails, you may need to muzzle your pet to avoid getting hurt.

It may seem easier to forgo brushing between visits to the groomer, but the benefits outweigh the difficulty of struggling for your furry friend's compliance. If you neglect your pet's fur, it may become matted which "can restrict blood flow and air reaching that area of the skin, and there can be serious health issues," according to Quick.

The Blowdryer
"If your pet is afraid of the blowdryer, they may need to be reintroduced," said Quick. The first step is getting your pet comfortable with being in the vicinity of the blowdryer. This can be done by leaving the blowdryer in an area where the pet spends a lot of time, and it cannot be accidentally turned on. Once the presence of the blowdryer is no longer frightening to your pet, leave it running for a while so they can become accustomed to the noise. "Make sure to have a safe place for your pet to go (like a kennel) if [the noise] scares them," said Quick.

Quick cautions that it may take several attempts, but once your pet is comfortable with the noise of the blowdryer, you can start blowing air onto them. "You always want to start at the back end of the pet and slowly work towards the front, leaving the head last."

When all else fails, treats can often save the day. Acting as a positive distraction, treats will often convince your pet that sticking around to get dried off may not be all bad. "Pets often respond in a positive manner when they are rewarded for doing a good thing," said Quick.

The Lowdown on Doggie Shedding

Most dogs shed. Even the ones that the breeder or pet store call "no shed dogs" are still bound to leave some fur behind. It's a nuisance, but it is the small price we pay for our pet's love and companionship.

Still, shedding raises many questions: Why do dogs seem to shed more in winter? Does heavy shedding indicate a health problem? Is it possible to prevent or reduce shedding? Dr. Donna Spector, a board-certified veterinary Internal Medicine specialist from VCA Animal Hospital gives us the lowdown on the shed.

Do dogs shed more in the winter?
Dogs appear to shed more in the winter, however, this is most often an illusion! Most dogs shed year-round. In the winter these dogs spend more time indoors and therefore owners tend to see more hair, giving the impression that they are shedding more. Some breeds do indeed have a seasonal shedding pattern and they tend to lose their heavier winter undercoat in the spring.

Can brushing your dog reduce shedding?
Shedding is an expected part of dog ownership and the hair is going to fall out one way or another. It is best to remove it and throw it away, rather than to let the hair fall out all over your house! I recommend brushing your dog once daily. Brushing cleans the coat, removes loose hair and stimulates the oil glands of the skin to keep skin soft and supple, which is especially important during the dry winter months.

It is also important to not bathe your dog too frequently as this can be very drying to the skin. Do not bathe more than once weekly and choose a natural and fragrance-free shampoo that doesn't strip the coat of natural oils.

Does dog diet affect shedding?
It is important that your dog is eating a complete and well-balanced diet to insure no nutrient deficiencies are contributing to hair loss or dry skin. Supplemental fatty acids (commonly provided as fish oils) can often improve the quality of the skin and hair coat.

Which brushes work best?
There are three basic brush types and your veterinarian can help you choose the brush that is right for your dog. Bristle brushes can be used on all coat types, and in general, the longer the hair coat, the more widely spaced and longer the bristles should be. Wire-pin brushes (with or without rubber ends) are the best choice for dogs with medium to long hair and those dogs with curly or very thick coats. Slicker brushes have very fine wire bristles and are useful for removing tangles.

Combs can also be used and are often helpful for removing mats. Curry-type combs are great for massaging the skin and removing loose hair from short-haired dogs.

Can shedding be a sign of disease?
Medical conditions such as skin infections, cancer, mange, ringworm, and even hormonal problems can cause increased shedding. If your dog has abnormal amounts of shedding and hair loss, leading to thin hair and bald spots, be sure to see your veterinarian.