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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!

Great job on maintaining him! For quick clean ups on his muzzle, feet or whatever i very much recommend a spray or rub on product such as Show off or Plum crazy. They are made to clean, brighten, and deodorize the fur (such as around the mouth or feet) daily. Just make sure to brush the fur after it dries. If your really worried about tangles you could always spray or rub, then comb, then when it's dry brush and comb again.


My favorite is Show Off from Chris Christensen. It's a product many show people use as dogs in full coat get dirty extremely easily. Just spray some on a towel or cover the eyes and spray if he doesn't mind. It's totally ok to use daily but I would recommend just when he comes home nasty as I've never used it daily. Here's a link to it on Amazon but you can get it cheaper on other sites. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ES7WNG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_WsTUCbPCQPE9R

Another option is Plum Crazy from Nature's Specialties. Not quite as deep cleaning but it smells AMAZING. Absolutely would get rid of and also cover the smell if that's the bigger issue. It's a detangler as well. And it's meant specifically for faces (though show off is just fine for the face, it even says recommended for faces in the description), and it comes out on an easy to apply foam. The only downside it it's more expensive.
Here's an Amazon link but again may be cheaper elsewhere. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005SX9ANC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_yyTUCbAVH1H2T

YES it's called a miracle brush, buy this, it will make your life better.

Also, while you're at it, invest in a greyhound comb. It has two sides. Use the wide toothed side to find matts, which you shave out with a clipper with a #10 blade. The fine toothed side will be used to check your work. DO NOT USE THIS TO DEMATT. Also, DON'T USE SCISSORS TO DEMATT. (I yelled this, I actually yelled this).

Next, for double coated dogs, i use a Furminator and a Zoom Groom. Furminator is a blade. Don't do the same area for too long, your dog will get skin irritation. It gets out the undercoat. The zoom groom is good for top coat, and the dogs love how it feels.

Hope some of this helps.

I would also look in to mobil groomers to come to your house. You may have to drop $100, but it'll be worth it. Promise. We professionals know best.

I love this lotion http://www.amazon.com/Earth-Therapeutics-Gardeners-Repair-Fluid/dp/B0006O0UAU actually all their products are pretty awesome. :)

Coat King and a nice metal dog comb works great. Oster brand makes a good coat rake sold on amazon for a decent price https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00061MWJ0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_GNLBDbY3WNHMG
The furminator tends to rip healthy hair out.

"The Stuff" is a great de-tangler, but I've also had good success with PetHead brand stuff that should be available at any Petco/Petsmart. I use this slicker and any metal "Greyhound" style comb will work.

I ditto what’s been said about clipping a clean well brushed coat. I’m not familiar with your clippers but I would skip the lower speed and stay on the highest speed you can. A new blade is fairly cheap. You can get some from Amazon for around $15-20. You kind of contradict yourself saying you want him fluffy but also he gets too warm? Why not get a good 5f blade (the Andis Ultra Edge are my favorite) take him down shorter and in about 2weeks he’ll be fluffy like you want. You won’t have to groom him as often and I find the 5f goes thru better than any 4 blade, be it a steel clip on 4 blade, or an ultra edge 4f blade. Or you could 5f his back and 4 his legs... Kool Lube (sprayed onto the blade as it’s running, will not hurt the coat or the blades) is another product that might help your blades to glide through a cottony coat. Just start the clippers, point away from pet or you, and spray the blade as it’s running. You will hear the blade start to run smoother and faster and know you’ve sprayed enough onto it. Always make sure your blades are not hot, that tends to make them drag. Touch the blade occasionally to make sure it’s not too hot. A hot blade will also hurt your dog. Hope this helps :)

Okay, thank you! I'll keep that in mind. I have an undercoat rake (the kind that has straight pins, not curved - similar to this one) but I've heard mixed suggestions on how often to use it. Is once per week about right?

I also way overspent on a Chris Christensen buttercomb lol, the one with a fine and a coarse side. I almost certainly could have just gotten a cheaper Andis one but here we are. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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.

This brush: Miracle Coat Slicker Dog Brush, Small https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000QFRY76/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_AhnHDb03FP7BJ

Saves me sooo much time dematting, it just glides through way easier. If the coat is very long then

This brush: Chris Christensen Long Pin Slicker Brush, Large, Coral https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KAJQJ74/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_zwnHDbP5YZG89

This one is a dream, pricey but will save lots of time, there is a learning curve with this one though so don't be discouraged if it's a bit awkward at first. Pair each one with a metal grey hound comb.

This might be a weird suggestion, but a month ago when I was looking at buying cordless clippers, one of the reviews said they oiled a part of the clippers with mutton tallow. So then I looked for mutton tallow on Amazon to go with my clippers, and in the reviews for that a few people said that it's a super awesome remedy for cracked heels/feet. Might help with hands? The reviews said it has a musky smell to it which did bother some people but I just opened up mine and smelled it and I don't think it's too bad.

Here's a link if you wanna look

Best slicker brush I have found on the market. It works great for long coated dogs and imo a must have for poodles and doodles. https://www.amazon.com/Chris-Christensen-Slicker-Brush-Large/dp/B00KAJQJ74

Thank you for the compliments :)

>Personally I loathe the Furminator

That's interesting to hear. I don't know much about it, outside of the fact is will get a lot of fur off of him. I only used based on info online so I'd interested to hear more if you don't mind.

Specific kinds of brushes you mentioned are talked about here:

• Rubold Pet Rake (rake)
  
• HaloVa Pet Comb (pins / bamboo bristles brush)
  
• Chris Christensen Oval Brush (pin brush)
  
  For a weekly routine at home, what would you recommend for day to day brushing (without bathing)?
  
  We plan to take him to the groomer for a bath (either by them or ourselves) every 4 - 8 weeks (once we figure out what works).

Yeah, I looked at our Shed Ender Pro, and it's either naturally got round edges, or was used heavily before (quite possible, we've had quite a few dogs. And judging by the teeth marks on the handle I'd say it saw some action with our St. Bernard puppy when he lived with us). Would a brush like [this one] (http://www.amazon.com/M2Pets-Long-Snap-N-Clean-Brush-Small/dp/B0009YYMZG/ref=sr_1_3?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1406397017&sr=1-3) work as well for topcoar? I know that it says it's for undercoat, but it seems like the pins are set too far apart to be effective for that (granted,I know next to nothing about dog grooming). I know we used to have a zoom groomer, but I have no idea where it may be.

You're very welcome!

(I may have learned how to format links properly! Holler if they're not working. )

My personal preference is the 'greyhound' style with a combination of tooth spacings and no handle.

[Resco] (https://www.amazon.com/Resco-Professional-Anti-Static-Grooming-Spacing/dp/B0006ICB1W/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?keywords=pet+grooming+comb&qid=1557699998&refinements=p_89%3AResco&rnid=2528832011&s=pet-supplies&sprefix=pet+grooming++comb&sr=1-6)

[Safari] (https://www.amazon.com/Safari-Pet-Products-Medium-Grooming/dp/B01H5OEDV0/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=pet+grooming+comb&qid=1557700495&refinements=p_89%3AOster%7CSafari+Pet+Products&rnid=2528832011&s=pet-supplies&sprefix=pet+grooming++comb&sr=1-3)

[#1 All Systems] (https://www.amazon.com/All-Systems-Ultimate-Metal-Comb/dp/B017WIQCTU/ref=mp_s_a_1_41?keywords=pet+grooming+comb&m=A1BMD17SWWHE8J&qid=1557700781&refinements=p_6%3AA1BMD17SWWHE8J&rnid=2661622011&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-41)

If you think you'd prefer a handle, I'd look at:

[Resco] (https://www.amazon.com/Resco-Professional-Anti-Static-Grooming-Spacing/dp/B002PNIY80/ref=mp_s_a_1_34?keywords=pet%2Bgrooming%2Bcomb&qid=1557701193&rnid=2661622011&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-34&th=1&psc=1)

[Artero] (https://www.amazon.com/Artero-Professional-Wooden-Handle-Comb/dp/B00O4BR0XQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_73?keywords=comb+with+handle&qid=1557701845&rnid=2941120011&s=pet-supplies&sprefix=comb+with+&sr=1-73)

If you come across something that catches your eye, I'm happy to chat about tools if I have any experience that might be of any use!

Foaming face cleanser followed with a flea comb!! Nature's Specialties makes a nice one, no rinse needed and it smells great!

Here is the best book to setup a business for house call. https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Guide-House-Call-Grooming/dp/0692916377

The only thing I've found that saves my hands is called Corn Huskers Friend and it's aaaaaaaaaamazing. Works better than any lotion I've ever tried.

Andis ProClip 2-Speed Detachable Blade Clipper, Professional Animal Grooming, AGC2, Black (22340) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018KVHBM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_FtJ1Cb1RETZRM something like these? With a #7 guide?

It seems that your comment contains 1 or more links that are hard to tap for mobile users.
I will extend those so they're easier for our sausage fingers to click!


Here is link number 1 - Previous text "5/8"



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Heres the link: Oster Dog Rake and Shedding Brush, 18-Tooth Coarse, Wide (078928-300-000) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00061MWJ0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_THd1Cb7T5B6T1

Would you suggest a rake over a pin brush for under coat then? And do you have any advice for brushing out spots the dog is sensitive to?