Reddit Reddit reviews Safari Dog De-Matting Comb, Stainless Steel with Soft Handle, (1-Pack)

We found 24 Reddit comments about Safari Dog De-Matting Comb, Stainless Steel with Soft Handle, (1-Pack). Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.

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Safari Dog De-Matting Comb, Stainless Steel with Soft Handle, (1-Pack)
1-Pack Safari Dog De-Matting Comb made of Stainless Steel with soft handle.Designed to easily remove mats and tangles from coarse or long, matted coats.The stainless steel, serrated blades will comb out most tangles.The De-Matting Comb can be used on most medium to longhaired dogs.Removes mats and tangles from your dog's matted coat.Suitable for use on breeds with medium to longhaired coatsEspecially helpful for coarse or long, matted coatsBlades can be reversed for right or left handed useRecommended by professional groomersAlways comb in the direction of the hair growth
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24 Reddit comments about Safari Dog De-Matting Comb, Stainless Steel with Soft Handle, (1-Pack):

u/burninrock24 · 51 pointsr/rarepuppers

Get a brush like this

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002ARR2W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_FpNTDbKBCZN4J

It’s basically a blade that will cut through the knots and mats. Then you can brush them out with much less protest from the pup!

Best investment for our golden doodle

u/JerryLupus · 14 pointsr/cats

It's not a razor like an electric razor and your cat has no idea what a "razor like comb" is, he's a cat. If it feels good (which all the cats and even dogs I've used it on unanimously agree) they don't care what it looks like. There are many different models too.

This one is fine but not sharp enough IMO. I've used it and it tugs.

http://www.amazon.com/Safari-W6116-Safari%C2%AE-De-matting-Comb/dp/B0002ARR2W/

Of all the tools this style is the best. The perpendicular blades work better than the straight handle type. These are also very sharp blades, so they cut rather than detangle or pull.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B014DY5YNG?psc=1

u/mybotanypowers · 6 pointsr/dogs

When you get a dog that requires grooming, you must not be "scared of hurting him". You won't hurt him if you use the right tools and you're patient. If you try brushing him and he wiggles around a little, that just means he's unsure. You aren't hurting him, promise. You have to brush your dog, and using that tool above, you are not using the right brush, at all. You would never need that type of brush for a cavapoo. Those brushes are designed for short hair dogs with undercoats-- that is a deshedding comb.

Your first step would be to take the dog to a professional groomer, and bite the bullet for the cost. Although typically unless your dog is a real handful, at least in my area the cost for a cavapoo ranges from $45.00 up. Depends on where you go, really. There is no way to get 'dreadlock' mats out of the coat save for shaving them away completely. To try to comb those out is extremely painful for the dog. From there, keep up with the brushing yourself. You will have to get this dog clipped if not every six weeks, every eight weeks, roughly. As you said this dog doesn't shed its hair, it just keeps growing. Even with regular maintenance you'll be looking at a little mophead eventually.

Please, take him to a groomer. Look up groomers in your area and find the one with the best reviews for being gentle and patient. Dematting even through shave downs can be stressful on the dog if they're very bad, although they're by far the gentlest option.

I am a groomer, and just as a tip for the future here are the tools I would use to take care of this pup.

  • Firm Slicker Brush. You need something with longer bristles to get through his thicker coat, and something that won't bend as soon as you start brushing. When you brush, use gentle pressure so that you aren't scratching him.
  • Soft Slicker Brush. For less intensive brushing around sensitive areas like the muzzle, ears, tail, paws, and belly.
  • De-matting Comb. Used to maintain the coat before any bad mats occur. This comb has blades on it and cuts through clumps of hair gently. Do not use this if mats are down to the skin!
  • Metal Comb. A wide-tooth and fine-tooth comb, used just as you would use a comb. Use the slicker first to kind of 'loosen' the coat a bit, then go through with the wide-toothed side, then the fine-toothed side.

    Make sure you're combing through his tail, ears, and muzzle as well as those are all prone to matting also. Check between his toes, as that area with dogs with a lot of hair like him also gets matted up quickly.

    Best of luck and I hope this helps.
u/eastcoasternj · 3 pointsr/Goldendoodles

Ah yeah, totally get that. We had a shorter than intended cut too with our 10 month old F1. He did ok at the groomer, but it's really hard to specify what we want sometime. Also, ours gets crazy matting right behind his ears, its a bummer - but we got this awesome dematting comb that works wonders with mats.

u/ThePatches · 3 pointsr/Goldendoodles

I figured since I've never taken my dog to a groomer I may be able to help with this. I'm not a professional groomer at all and the equipment is expensive but I figured that if it's going to cost me $80+ every time I take her to the groomer then the expensive equipment pays for itself in no time. The thing is, it does take forever and I personally recommend having a second person to help you only because I've never done it alone and can't imagine how long it would take if I did. The other thing too is that it will depend on your pup. Have you spent time getting them used to being handled or learning to basically hold still while you groom them? I knew this would be important for me and my pup was exposed to blow dryers, scissors, and the electric razor regularly from the moment I got her at 8 weeks. I have regularly trimmed her nails since she was a pup too so she is very used to being handled. I also taught her that if I'm working on her fur (when she was a young pup I would use a comb and brush regularly for this) she is to hold still. I didn't give her her first real hair cut until she was 8 months but she was already used to the strange sounds and holding still by that point. Before the 8 month mark I did trim her paws and around her eyes though.

If your pup isn't patient with you, its going to be a challenge and may not be worth it. Mine holds still for everything and it still takes my husband and I about 3 hours to get the job done. That said, here is my process.

The first time we groomed her it was awful and it took us almost 6 hours start to finish. This was because her fur had a lot of mats. If you can't get a regular comb through the fur then you aren't going to get the trimmers through either. So taking them to the groomer first is probably a good idea to stick with because they will handle the mats and such for you that first time. After that, you need to keep up with the grooming regularly (mine is groomed every 6 weeks) in order to make the process easier for yourself because the mats won't come back if the fur is trimmed regularly so it won't be an issue. The other issue we had the first time was that we tried to use these and they really didn't work out. They would snag in her fur, they also seemed to kinda push her fur down and out of the way so that it wouldn't get cut. It was just a huge waste of time trying to use them and now we just use this blade directly and it works perfectly.

So basically this is our process. We use a regular folding table because you do not want to do this on the floor. We did it on the floor the first time and it was awful on our backs so you want to be standing. One of us is always holding her so that she will not fall off of the table and we take turns trimming her fur going along with the grain. Be sure to check the trimmers temperature regularly because they can get hot. When they get hot, set them down and use the down time to trim the paws, face, tail, or ears with scissors or comb out any mats that may be in the way (we no longer have a problem with mats since she is groomed regularly). Once the blade is cool again continue trimming the entire body, taking breaks to cool down as needed and repeat the scissor trim every time the clipper needs to cool. We trim everything with the electric clippers except for around the eyes, ears, snout, tail, paw pads, and around the paws. Those extra areas are scissors only for us but you can do whatever you like. After her entire body is trimmed we switch to the shorter blade and trim her sanitary areas. We like the poo area to be extra short in order to avoid the dingleberries. You can also use the short blade to help with trimming around the paw pads. Finally, after everything is cut she gets a bath and blow dry.

It really is a lot of work but we both think that the 2-3 hours we spend doing it is worth it over the cost of a groomer. But it's definitely not for everyone and I also think it depends on the dog. If the dog won't cooperate it's going to make it that much more time consuming and difficult. Here is a list of all of the grooming tools I use:

  • Andis Detachable Blade Clipper - For all of the trimming that doesn't use scissors.
  • 3 3/4 Blade - For most of the body, switch to the short blade that comes with the clippers for the sanitary regions and around paw pads.
  • Scissors - I use these for everything that needs to be trimmed with scissors. I like that they have the ball tip making them less pokey.
  • Thinning Shears - Not required but they do help make her snout and tail less choppy looking after they've been cut with regular scissors.
  • De-matting Comb - This has been a must for me! It is great at getting out those mats.
  • Comb - I recommend having a regular comb. If this comb can't get through then your clippers won't either.
  • Blow Dryer - I don't know if it's absolutely required to blow dry after baths but I do and I recommend getting a powerful one.
  • Shower Hose - Not required but I use this for her in my shower and it has made bath time much easier.

    I think that covers everything, I may be forgetting something but that's all I've got for now. If you do decide to do it just make sure you have a decent time block for it since it may take a while. Good luck!

    Also, here are some pictures of my pup right after being groomed with the clipper size I've mentioned above.
u/extranachocheese · 3 pointsr/poodles

The wife and I really like this de-matting comb.

Safari® De-matting Comb

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002ARR2W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Nz5qxbNDCQE50

u/asvinni · 3 pointsr/Goldendoodles

My doodle has tight curls as well. I use a slicker brush, a wide tooth comb and a dematting comb for matts that can’t be brushed out. These are the tools I use
Chris Christensen Long Pin Slicker Brush, Large, Coral https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KAJQJ74/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_jLorDbT0ZDW58

OmniPet Leather Brothers Cocker/Poodle Wooden Handle Comb https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003E71QEA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_lMorDb60BC8E5

Safari De-Matting Comb for Dogs, Pet Supplies for Dogs, Dog Grooming, Dog Gifts, Dog Accessories, Dog Supplies, Dog Brushes for Shedding https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002ARR2W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_HMorDb1BAJBTH

I really love the Chris Christensen slicker brush, it’s pricey but the quality is great. It has long firm pins and the tips are soft, so it won’t hurt your doodle. Also it’s highly recommended for doodle coats. It’s best to get a slicker with long firm pins to really get down to the skin. I then follow up with the wide tooth comb to check for any missed tangles. I prefer to use the wide tooth comb because it’s not harsh on the coat and does not cause hair breakage. I rarely use the dematting tool, because I usually can get matts out with the slicker brush, but for the really tough ones I use it sparingly. You should never use a furminator, it’s harsh on the coat and skin, it can damage it. Also I supplement fish oil in my dog’s diet and I’ve noticed his coat is much more shiny and softer. The fish oil I feed is the from the brand fera pet organics. Also I really think it helps to have your doodle on a grooming schedule such as every 5 to 6 weeks, especially with super tight curls. Also be sure to brush and properly dry when ever your doodle gets wet. Might be a good idea to invest in a high velocity dog blow dryer. There’s some great affordable ones on amazon. Brushing your doodle twice or even three times a week is ideal.

u/Futurames · 3 pointsr/doggrooming

This tool changed the game for me. It gets through mats so much quicker than a normal brush and comb. A few people are suggesting you use shears to saw through the mats; this tool is basically designed to do something similar but it’s a lot safer for you and the dog. You do need to use caution though because it’s sharp (I’ve cut my thumb on it twice while cleaning hair out of it 🤦🏻‍♀️) but it’s a heck of a lot safer than carving at knots with your scissors. I never use it on areas with lots of loose skin or where I can’t fully see what I’m doing.

Also, surprisingly this brush has been my go-to for a while when I’m working on a matted dog. The bristles are super stiff so it gets through tangles very well but the balls on the end help prevent irritation (although it can obviously still cause irritation if you’re not careful). I own several Les Pooch brushes, including their very expensive mat breaker, and I still always reach for my $11 no name brush 😂.

Make sure you’re charging for all of this dematting. My rule of thumb is the customer gets 15 minutes of it at no extra charge but after that it’s $1/minute. This will push a lot of customers to just let you shave the areas that are the most problematic to save money.

u/goots · 2 pointsr/dogpictures

My god, he's my first dog and I can't stop thinking about him. My wife doesn't like the typical schnauzer cut, so I think little Oscar may be looking like Otto soon enough.

BTW, we just got this for him and I used it yesterday. It's awesome. Highly suggest to get one if you don't have one already.

u/alabardios · 2 pointsr/dogs

Hi there. I'm not sure if it is the same for all breeds. I had a Pyrenees and we had two mats saved out and that never grew back. There was a lot of debate about it when I was looking if it grew back or not for pyrs. Some said theirs grew back just fine others said it never grows back at all.

I do know that the furminator is damaging to the top coat regardless of it growing back or not. I never recommend it for any dog with two coats, but if the dog has only one then I think it's a fantastic tool.

I linked to what I used in my last comment, it worked great was durable, survived my pup chewing on it for a few minutes too.

I'm told that slicker brushes work great for removing undercoats, stainless steel combs too, my groomer used a combination of tools for my pup.

Here's links to what they used

https://www.amazon.com/Andis-2-Inch-Steel-Comb-65730/dp/B004UTDHP2/ref=zg_bs_2975366011_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WXPAQEGMAZBGCYFVXDRA

https://www.amazon.com/Safari-W6116-De-matting-Comb/dp/B0002ARR2W/ref=zg_bs_2975366011_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WXPAQEGMAZBGCYFVXDRA

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00O0WOME4/ref=mp_s_a_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1494480770&sr=1-11&keywords=pet+brushes+for+dogs

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01MUABBQS/ref=mp_s_a_1_71?ie=UTF8&qid=1494480894&sr=1-71-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=pet+brushes+for+dogs&psc=1

I thought it was a lot of different tools myself, but it's hard to argue the results because he came out looking fantastic Everytime.

I removed the undercoat myself, which the two ladies really appreciated, with just the comb but never made him look as good as they did.

u/Chili_Time · 2 pointsr/Goldendoodles

Bully sticks work well. They smell a little but it's better than needle sharp teeth on your fingers non stop. The pups like them so it's easy to substitute a bully stick for a finger. We tried other stuff but these seemed to work best for us. Hold the stick on one one end and let them chew on the other while they sit in your lap.

Eventually you'll want a slicker brush and a de-matting comb but you won't need them right away.
I like this one because the button on the back makes cleaning it easy.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OIP3QEU/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

De-matting comb - google you tube for how to use it if you need to.

https://www.amazon.com/Safari-W6116-De-matting-Comb/dp/B0002ARR2W/ref=pd_bxgy_199_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0002ARR2W&pd_rd_r=YTN6ZJW7MQGCSKSJDW80&pd_rd_w=iR5st&pd_rd_wg=lxJ1D&psc=1&refRID=YTN6ZJW7MQGCSKSJDW80

u/StuddedMohawk · 2 pointsr/Havanese

My 1 year old Havanese has never been cut. We put his hair up with a hair tie so it's not in his eyes and he gets a bath once a week, brushed nightly, and sees a professional bi weekly.

This is the brush I use, Its pretty standard.

Here's the de-matting tool - This is a super important piece to the home grooming puzzle. It will allow you trim the matts into smaller matts that can be brushed out. I highly recommend watching several youtube videos of people using it so you don't hurt your little guy.

Detangling spray - I use this at every brushing. I use one hand to push his hair up and i pat and swoop the hair down to make sure I get every little hair on his body. It's a process.

and finally Leave-on conditioner - I give him baths with a 2 in 1 puppy shampoo and then i use this leave-on conditioner. Hydrated hair knots less so using as much moisturizers as you can will help.

​

I understand I spend a lot of time and money on my dogs hair, but for me, I wasn't going to spend thousands of dollars on a purebred to just shave him. I want my purebred to look like a purebred and he's the happiest boy ever! I hope this helps!

u/idyllically · 1 pointr/CleaningTips

Just brushed out our dog with this. Loved it, he has long hair and it did the trick. (Labradoodle)

I LOVE our hand vacuum. I get annoyed with dusting things that don’t really do the trick because I can still see things floating around. But I really see things get sucked with this guy.

Third the roomba suggestion. I forget the brand we have but it’s so easy to leave it on while we leave for the day. The legs get stuck or fall off around the apartment here or there so that’s annoying.

I got a steam mop Wednesday for my laminate floors. Meh. I don’t know how I feel about it. I was expecting miracle worker given what I’ve read on this Reddit group. But I also cheaped out and bought a highly rated one because it was $20 off so $40 total compared to some $80-$120 alternatives. I linked it below but now it’s only $10 off so I don’t know if I’d recommend going with it. But my boyfriend did remark it looks like no one has walked on our floors and it’s a good way to finish off a vacuum.

Safari De-Matting Comb for Dogs,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002ARR2W?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Lithium Ion Cordless Hand Vacuum, Purple https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CB6RBSP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_u08NDbAC66TT4

Steam Mop Cleaner ThermaPro Elite 12 in 1 for Hardwood/Tiles/Vinyl/Carpet - Easy-Detachable Handheld Steam Cleaner for Kitchen - Garment - Furniture and Clothes, Multifunctional Whole House Steamer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VPRGLK7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_o.8NDbWDTKKCS

u/Zoobles88 · 1 pointr/Random_Acts_Of_Amazon

A couple of things - nothing huge and nothing any one individual did for me specifically. I'm one of those shutdown people - it sucks as much as you'd expect. But...my leasing office has agreed to let any of us effected negotiate a payment plan to cover rent after the government opens back up. So basically, if I can't pay rent - I can make it up to them in small increments later. Then, there are a lot of companies giving away things at a huge discount OR completely free to people like me (I've seen restaurants, hotels, and EVEN a company giving away free vibrators) just to try and help cushion the blow.

Honestly, this would be awesome, as I'm trying to teach myself to groom my dogs, that way I don't have to decide between forking over $120 at the groomer or letting my dogs get matted and shaggy and sad.

u/arklow13 · 1 pointr/greatpyrenees

Try this: Safari De-Matting Comb for Dogs, Pet Supplies for Dogs, Dog Grooming, Dog Gifts, Dog Accessories, Dog Supplies, Dog Brushes for Shedding https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002ARR2W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_xW57CbR1P8YCM

I cut matts out all the time, but that comb helps.

u/nunca · 1 pointr/doggrooming

Whew lad. Sounds like you're in for a bad time but don't let me tell you how to live your life. I'll try to help you as much as possible, but I'll tell you right now that you're better off spending the money you'd be blowing on professional grade tools (which are absolutely necessary on a Newfie, those are one of the breeds you can't cheap out on, even for home grooms) on having a professional groom your dog instead. Newfies are a challenge even for professionals, taking 3+ hours to groom even with all the tools and experience available to them.

All that said, you're going to want to get a good shampoo and conditioner. I personally really like the Espree brand for shampoos, especially the hypo shampoo, because it's gentle on dog's skin and this particular brand still smells good. I recommend the Furminator conditioner. When you're washing your dog, you're going to want to really make sure you're working the shampoo and conditioner all the way down to the skin. Do shampoo first, rinse thoroughly, then conditioner, and rinse forever because holy hell it's gonna take a while to get all that out.

I'm just gonna tell you to not even bother with the hair dryer. That sounds like an exercise in futility. You're probably just going to want to wash your dog one day and then cut the hair the next when it's dry.

You can brush your dog's hair when it's wet, but I caution you to be extra gentle and to be sure to keep an eye on the skin to make sure it's not turning red. If it is, stop immediately (and possibly reconsider your decision to groom at home-- if the coat is in bad enough shape that you're irritating the skin by brushing, you probably need to see a professional). In addition to a slicker brush, undercoat rake, and greyhound comb, I would get one of [these] (https://smile.amazon.com/Matting-Dematting-Detangler-Grooming-Pet/dp/B0002ARR2W/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=safari+mat+remover+for+dogs&qid=1558802854&s=gateway&sprefix=Safari+mat&sr=8-3). It's great for breaking up mats and loosening undercoat, but a word of caution: they are extremely sharp and you will cut yourself badly on it if you're not careful. Fortunately they're designed such that you're much more likely to cut yourself than your dog.

Assuming that your dog is now thoroughly washed, dry, and brushed out, you're going to want to take your clippers and put an attachment comb on them. I prefer the Wahl stainless steel set. You can buy the combs individually, as well. You can put your comb on over the #10 blade that comes with the clippers, or a #15 or #30 for a cleaner cut. Then you just go to town. I very strongly recommend against going no shorter than 3/4" (that's an A comb in the Wahl set). Anything shorter than that is going to ruin your dog's coat. (So don't do a #10 blade either, for the love of god). Use a decent set of grooming scissors to clean up the clipper work when you're done.

I hope that helps. Good luck!

u/bindsaybindsay · 1 pointr/Pets

There are a few ways you can avoid this.

  1. Keep her fur clipped short. If she is already matted, the safest way to be rid of them is to have them shaved out by a professional and start fresh.

  2. Brush her daily with a slicker brush and a metal comb. Consider a dematting tool as well for small tangles that you can't get out with either of the other two, that haven't reached the skin yet. Be careful when using this, as they are quite sharp. Be sure you are fully brushing all of her fur, and not just her top coat. Pay attention to areas that a easily forgotten, like her armpits, tail, and behind her ears.

  3. If you are unable to brush her daily, but want to keep her fur longer, take her for professional grooming more frequently. This will increase the chances that she won't have as much matting, so it will be easier for the groomers to get out. If it isn't severe they could also just clip out the matts as needed and keep the rest of her fur long.
u/chmt88 · 1 pointr/Shihtzu

I was struggling with mats in my shih for a while and then settled on a decent routine that has kept him mat-free for the last few months. I keep his hair grown out to some degree, but not to the floor (yet).

I brush every other day for around 30 min with this comb:
www.target.com/p/comb-pet-grooming-tool---up-up--153-/-/A-52305812

It isn't the greatest quality, but I like the design and it gets daily maintenance done. If you want a higher quality comb, maybe consider the style and order a better one?

When he gets mats (it's really wet and snowy where I live and he usually gets one or two a week from running in the snow), I like this brush:
Safari De-matting Comb
www.amazon.com/dp/B0002ARR2W?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

It is basically a curvy one sided blade, so read the directions if you end up trying! It is kind of sharp. My dog doesn't care for this one, but it is so efficient at removing mats I have been convincing him with treats when using it haha.

I have found the best technique is to brush daily to every other day at the latest. I was shocked by how few mats he gets now with the every other day routine. It takes a long time the first few brushes, but once in the habit and mostly mat free, it goes pretty quickly.

Hope this helps!

u/Sieberella · 1 pointr/Random_Acts_Of_Amazon

I have a husky named Koda! He is four years old and a bundle of energy! I'm quite sure he thinks he's a cat as he doesn't really act like a dog. He likes to lay on the back of the couch and climb on things lol. He also purrs when you pet him (he's really growling but I call it purring). He would absolutely hate this but he gets bad mats on his hips and this would be the easiest way to get them off :(

Let's see.... the no stuffing part is kind of hard... but Koda loves these kong tennis balls he can now surgically remove the squeaker with his k-9's lol but they still get a lot of play before they finally give out. Thanks for the contest!

u/dimesfordenim · 1 pointr/goldenretrievers

Congrats!! If you've never had a puppy before, my #1 recommendation is to get a trainer who will come to your house and work with you. They are more for you than for the dog. We did that and while it was really expensive, it was a blessing!

One thing our trainer told us is to let the puppy have access to only a little bit of the house at a time. A crate helps with that, but we didn't want it to feel like punishment and we wanted to be able to let him play around just as a dog in a controlled area. So we bought this playpen and zip tied it to the crate. You can also get linoleum to put underneath the playpen area, but make sure it's all one sheet (otherwise he'll chew on the ends). That also helps clean up potty mistakes!

Speaking of potty, we got a little bell to put on the door. We made him nudge it with his nose or paw (basically picked him up) every time we went out. Then when we finally let him explore more, he knew how to let us know he had to go. Of course, he also used it just as an excuse to go outside, so there's that.

You mentioned you're good to go on crates--did you get one that is life stages and lets you adjust how much room is available? Not a huge deal if not, but if you did, make sure you use it. They don't need a whole lot of room in the crate because they'll just pee on one end and sleep on the other.

For grooming, you don't really need a lot for a puppy (at least in our experience, and our older dog grew up to be a HUGE fluffball). You're more likely to hurt him and turn him off. For our grown up guys, we use a pin brush, a rake brush, a de-matting comb, grooming scissors, and dremmel. We also do your normal ear cleaning solution (we get ours from the vet, so I don't remember the brand offhand, it's the same thing as online) and shampoo. This is what we used when they were puppies. Another essential is puppy wipes for pesky danglers and muddy paws.

For a puppy, though, I really wouldn't use all that stuff. We used a little kong brush to get him used to a brush on his fur, but we didn't even use that until his fur was a little longer (but still too short to use the other brushes). The big thing with grooming a puppy is getting him used to you touching him EVERYWHERE. Stick your fingers in his ears and mouth, rub all over his paws, make him lay down on his back in your lap, etc. Definitely start on nails asap--even if you don't actually trim them, just holding the dremmel up to their nails and getting them used to it helps A LOT. Also the ear cleaner is an essential for golden puppies. Our trainer and vet both told us to drop it in their ears, let them shake their heads, then use q-tips in all the nooks and crannies.

Other essential products are LOTS of toys. You'll figure out real quick what your guy likes. Our first dog was more of a casual chewer, so fabric toys worked, but our second dog LOVES to eat fabric so we had to go with hard toys only. I highly recommend toys by West Paw! As you know, golden puppies will chew on LITERALLY EVERYTHING so you need a backup distractor toy at all times to replace the flavor of the minute. Keep in mind that if you give up trying to stop them chewing on something (say, for example, your computer chair), they will think it's ok to chew on that for the rest of their life. :(

We also got a slow-feeder bowl because our guys gobble down their food like it will disappear if they don't. And if your guy is really annoying with the water bowl (i.e., repeatedly knocking it over), don't worry too much--he'll grow out of it. I recommend keeping a towel under it until he learns all he wants to know about water!

Have fun with your little guy!!!! I'll add anything else I can think of later but feel free to ask if there's anything else you're curious about!

u/scarlet88 · 1 pointr/puppy101

My girl (Bernese Mountain Dog, 3) is very sensitive and HATES baths, so I do it myself to make sure she doesn't get overwhelmed / have a negative experience. We go to one of the self serve dog washes in our city and it works great. It costs $10 to use the bath, shampoo, and blowdryer. Best of all is that when she shakes and gets water everywhere, it's no biggie. I use their shampoo, but bring my own brushes:

  • Undercoat rake for getting out the loose hair
  • Dematting comb to thin the tail / skirt feathers (she's not matted, but a groomer friend showed me how this comb can be used to trim longer fur without breaking out the scissors. It's a great technique!)

    We go once every 2 months(ish) during the winter, and 1-2x / month in the summer.

    I don't trim her nails in the summer (plenty of off leash excursions to wear them down) but in the winter I use a regular clipper. She hates it, so I just try to do 1 per day as I notice them getting too long.