De-shedding is a job that gives us groomers great satisfaction. When we clean up the large packs of wool in our salon after de-shedding, we know we have done a good job. As a professional dog groomer, you want to work as quickly and efficiently as possible with the best possible result. To do this, you need the right tools and techniques.
For many breeds, it is now time to de-shed the coat. There are different ways of de-shedding the coat in a grooming salon. In this blogpost we will tell you what the two most important methods of de-shedding are and what their advantages and disadvantages are.
The classical de-shedding method
This method means that the coat is first de-shed before washing. Underwool can be removed with a special (shepherd's) rake. Personally, we are big fans of the Saint Roch rake. After that you can use a slicker to remove the remaining excess wool and comb (using the Combi comb or Greyhound comb) through the coat again to make sure all the wool is removed. With woolly coats, the Heavy Duty comb is also a very efficient tool. Its special teeth grip the loose undercoat and help to comb the coat open.
Once you have removed the undercoat, it is time to wash the dog. We recommend a first wash with a deep cleansing shampoo and a second wash with a coat-specific shampoo, finishing with a conditioner to get the best results. Show Tech+ Timaha Shampoo is an absolute must for breeds like the husky, Pomeranian, Bernese mountain dog and Akita. This purifying and restorative clay-based shampoo is one of the best in our range! It makes sure that the dead hairs from the undercoat are easily removable. After washing, dry the coat with a towel (Dry Mate or Microfibre Towel) and then blow 70 to 80% of the coat with a blaster. To easily remove the last loose hairs and condition the coat you can spray the coat with another bestseller: the Quick Fix. You can finish with a slicker and a dryer. Want to make sure you have done the best job possible and that there is no undercoat left in the coat? Then go through the hair with a comb.
Advantages of the classic de-shedding method:
- There will be less hair to wash and dry because you have already removed the undercoat. Consequently, you will need less shampoo and the drying will also be quicker. For frightened animals this is extra interesting, because you produce noise for a shorter time using the dryers.
- The bath and the grooming area become less dirty than with the other method.
Disadvantages of the classical de-shedding method:
- Sometimes it takes a bit longer to de-shed (especially if the coat has mats).
- Physically, it is much harder.
- The skin can become more irritated.
The newer de-shedding method
Over the years, another method has emerged: the wash and blow method. With this method, you first wash the coat and only then blow out the hairs (to blow out the underwool). Upon arrival at the grooming salon, the dog can be bathed immediately. Wash him or her with a shampoo suitable for a first, cleansing wash, then do a second wash with a coat-specific shampoo, and finish the washing process with a conditioner. It is very important to also treat the hair with a conditioner when using this method, as this will loosen the undercoat more easily.
Then dry the coat a little with a Dry Mate and blow out the hairs with a blaster so that the wool comes out of the coat.
The Double K Extreme, the K9 Power Blaster and the Metro Air Force Blaster are a great choice for this. They help to save your arm muscles. Use the blaster at 10 cm from the coat while making circular or eight-shaped movements with the smallest round nozzle. This will efficiently blow the loose hair out of the coat.
Two things are crucial in this technique: your professional patience and the power of your blaster. It takes discipline to blow long enough to efficiently de-shed the coat, but it is also necessary to use the power of the dryer to effortlessly blow the loose and dead hairs out of the coat. It is extremely important that you use the correct blowing technique and have enough patience!
If you don't do this, it can cost you more time and energy.
Normally (when the time is right - this depends on where you live, e.g., in Belgium in May or in other countries when it gets warm) 70-80% of the hair can easily be blown out and dried with a blaster.
Then it is important to condition the coat in order to make it easier to brush the undercoat and to loosen it. Use the Quick Fix for this.
Afterwards, the remaining undercoat can be removed with a slicker and dryer.
Are there still any hair mats in the coat? You can use a dematting comb and slicker to free the hair from knots and tangles. Finally, it is best to check all the hairs with the help of a Combi comb.
Advantages of this de-shedding method:
- Most of the undercoat is blown out of the coat during the drying process. The blaster and the right shampoo and conditioner do a lot of the work for you! This means you have less work afterwards. This method is less stressful for you as a groomer.
- The coat will be easier to detangle and de-mat. Mats are blown open.
- Your brushes and other equipment are spared more.
- This method is also much kinder to the skin. It will be much less irritated.
Disadvantages of this de-shedding method:
- You need more shampoo, and you spend more time with the blaster because there are more hairs to wash and dry.
- There is more cleaning up to do afterwards as there will be more hair flying around when the coat is blown out.
Also important
In any case, it is crucial to always use the right care products and to consider the type of coat. Our professional sales team is always ready to advise you.
Does the coat seem very thin after de-shedding? This is usually no reason to panic. In general, dogs that have seasonal shedding benefit from having their undercoat completely removed once in a while. Show dogs are an exception to this rule. They always need some undercoat to create volume. Some caution during blowing is advised. Keep the dryer a little further away from the coat, so that not all the undercoat is blown out.
Finally, the right pricing policy is also essential if you want to be successful as a groomer. Now is the season for de-shedding, which means that you will have more visits from larger dogs with coats that need to be de-shed. Consequently, you will have more work to do. The de-shedding itself takes a lot of time, but the cleaning afterwards will also take longer. All this needs to be considered. Don't be afraid to ask your clients the right price for the right treatment and dare to adjust your prices if necessary. After all, good work should be rewarded!
