In the grooming threads some time ago you all talked about misting the coat before combing. I've done it a couple times and sort of forgot about it. Tonight I hit on the jackpot. . . rain water is phenomenal at softening a dog's coat (I noticed today after a long potty break) so I caught rain water in a container, used a funnel with 1-2 coffee filters inside it, strained the rain water, and put it in a squirt bottle. Before combing, I misted the dogs to dampness but not wetness, and combed. The damp fur not only made the comb slide through nicely without pulling and making the dogs miserable, but the rain water made the coats come out delightfully soft. I am saving up some in a jug for a dry day and refilling the spray bottle as needed. According to online, if you live in a really acidic or polluted city, you might want to just used distilled or even bottled/filtered. It is close but not quite as good as rain water. I guess soft water is the key which rain water is. After watching how much happier the dogs were during the combing and just how soft they came out, I am totally never going to dry comb again, and will use rain water as often as I can. Heck, doing it this way I probably won't have to bathe as much either. Wonder how it would do on the cats? Hmmm.
Damp combing
- Thread starter Mom2Melli
- Start date
jomuir
Forums Enthusiast
They finally ran out of water in SoCal? jk jk 
I may save some rainwater to try your idea, love it being so much softer on their coats. I too will always use water on them when brushing now, it makes it so much easier on them.
I may save some rainwater to try your idea, love it being so much softer on their coats. I too will always use water on them when brushing now, it makes it so much easier on them.
Caro
Moderator
That's an good idea. I've got a big container of pure water from when my cousin visited and was wondering what to do with it. After decades of drought I can't throw good water away, but I prefer to drink tap water. So now I can use it to keep the dogs pretty!
VallejoSheltie
Forums Enthusiast
You can get the same great result by mixing a little vinegar in a bucket of water and doing a full rinse with it.
Slightly acidic water whether due to vinegar or rain water seems beneficial.
Also:
http://chemistry.about.com/od/waterchemistry/fl/Can-You-Drink-Rain-Water.htm
Slightly acidic water whether due to vinegar or rain water seems beneficial.
Also:
http://chemistry.about.com/od/waterchemistry/fl/Can-You-Drink-Rain-Water.htm
softer
we are getting rain in the rockies and last night it was POURING, but my girls don't like to perform their biz in the wet. It was a battle of wills last night to have the girls get their last potty break in before bedtime. Savannah is so stubborn, when it is cold, she doesn't like to go outside. But I wasn't gonna give in to her, because I know the results. She FINALLY relented and squatted, phew. All of us were soaked through. Got them all dry and warm and they were so soft. Rain water is amazing, and it leaves them so fresh scented after they get past the essence of wet dog stink, ha...
we are getting rain in the rockies and last night it was POURING, but my girls don't like to perform their biz in the wet. It was a battle of wills last night to have the girls get their last potty break in before bedtime. Savannah is so stubborn, when it is cold, she doesn't like to go outside. But I wasn't gonna give in to her, because I know the results. She FINALLY relented and squatted, phew. All of us were soaked through. Got them all dry and warm and they were so soft. Rain water is amazing, and it leaves them so fresh scented after they get past the essence of wet dog stink, ha...
Hanne
Forums Sage
Yes, we have very often rain here in spring - including today. 
- Minnie do not mind to walk in the rain, she just goes wide berth around the the puddles.
When we come home, I dry her with a towel so she is brushed very well through it all, she has the finest soft coat when she is quite dry.
(and I have no excuses not to do it
)
- Minnie do not mind to walk in the rain, she just goes wide berth around the the puddles.
When we come home, I dry her with a towel so she is brushed very well through it all, she has the finest soft coat when she is quite dry.
(and I have no excuses not to do it
)