Another Furminator question, when to use?

Melissa summed it up perfectly.

I don't use mine often, but I do pull it out when the rake or slicker is just not enough.

That might be only once or twice per year, when the pants get so thick that its otherwise an hour just to get through the pants.

Whatever tool you use, make sure you have a spray bottle of water or conditioner handy. You never want to brush the coat completely dry, else it will break off the guard hair.

And also, no matter what the video shows - for a double coated breed you definitely want to still use a line brush technique. You are trying to remove the undercoat, not the guard hairs.

For Cadbury, you should be able to do a semi-line brush. I wouldn't just scrape across the top, but part the fur a little as you go.
 
Thanks Barb, I'd forgotten about water spray. If I was using conditioner I suppose I would dilute it into a spray bottle and then just mist the dog where I am grooming?

I'm quite looking forward to have a pup to brush. When I was a kid I nearly brushed my toy lassie dog bald because I just loved making it look nice!:lol:
 
OntarioSheltie said:
I just play it by ear. There's no right/wrong time to use it and it also totally depends on the dog.

Throughout the year, I usually start with the slicker brush. If I notice that there's a lot of undercoat coming out, then I'll switch to the Furminator. I find that if the Furminator is needed, its better to start with it, then finish with another brush.

I also use the Furminator to thin their pants, when they get big and fluffy. Again, I use it as needed. I rarely have to think with scissors (Have only done it once with Ginny fluffy butt).

In the early summer they blow coat and the Furminator is definitely needed. At this time of year its obvious its needed because there are sheltie tumbleweeds floating around the house, fur comes out when you pet them and their coats get tangly as the loose undercoat comes out.

During the summer I'll pull out the furminator every couple of weeks to ensure there's no extra undercoat to make them hot. Some times its needed, some times its not.
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I use mine just like Melissa. Not often, but its always ready.

Just remember to use it like a pin brush. You want to line brush just like you would with any other brush on a Sheltie. You certainly DO not sweep across the back or pants over the guard hairs. The videos show this technique on short hair dogs - labs, etc. That's fine for them, because they are mostly single coated.

What you're wanting to get out is the undercoat. So divide and conquer!
 
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