Question about grooming: tools, shampoo, conditioner, etc.

[MTBlueShadow]

So where is the best place to find all the tools I need for grooming Blue?
So far I have an undercoat rake, slicker brush, furminator knockoff from walmart (I know probably not the best choice), and have been using shed control shampoo. I know I need to pick up a pin brush, although I think I may have one around here somewhere.
What do you use for leave-in conditioner? What would be the best shampoo for his coat? Right now it seems pretty coarse and possibly even a bit brittle.
When I got him he was full of grass seeds, so we did a quick bath and brushing, so any help before I go to clean him up again would be great!!

Sorry for the barrage of questions and if they've already been asked a million times before!!

 

[ruckusluvr]

I order most of my grooming supplies from petedge. they are very reasonable!
For a leave in conditioner i like "The Stuff" it conditions, detangles, and even repels dirt, urine, dust, etc.
As far as shampoo goes I like the Espree brand. or Kenic Emu Oil shampoo. The emu shampoo is ultra moisturizing and would be great for a dry coat. It also helps with skin issues.

Good luck!

 

[Caro]

Plush Puppy Coat Rescue is fantastic for getting a coat back into shape. Its an intensive conditioner and works miracles. This site lists the US retailers (www.plushpuppyusa.com).

Get a spray bottle for when you are brushing as it helps save the coat from breaking. I mix in a little oatmeal conditioner (Aloveen) with the water to give the coat extra conditioning and make it smell nice.

For trimming up I use single edged thinning scissors. Means you can trim hocks, belly or butt and blend it in nicely. I have a double edged set as well but I dont have the patience for them. You have obviously already worked out its useful to have some hairdressing scissors for the poop chute.

I use a bristle brush most of the time. It is kinder for the dogs and good at getting out tangles (esp behind the ears) and giving the coat a shine.

 

[Chris]

I have a Doggie Man brush, and my girls hate it! I'm thinking of throwing it out and sticking with a pin brush.

 

[BarbV]

I love Chris Christensen products....not cheap

I have two of their pin brushes - 35MM and 20MM - They are well worth the expense.
I love the leave-in shampoo (Show Off) and the leave-in conditioner (Ice on Ice).

For scissors, you'll want good quality - don't do Walmart or even the pet shop. Real grooming scissors are very expensive (over $100), but you can do fairly well if you buy hair trimming scissors at the drugstore ($20-$30). You'll want blunt/rounded scissors, straight edge and thinning shears.

I also use a small lady's personal bikini shaver to trim paw hair (I know some use it on the bottom of the paws, but I use it to trim the top of loose hair - using a very light, even movement. Works great for getting those cute little Sheltie "cat feet"

 

[Smudge]

I love Chris Christensen products....not cheap

I thought the prices weren't that bad. The brushes are a bit high (I still haven't gotten around to ordering mine yet!), but some of their other products aren't that bad. I'm placing an order online for Plush Puppy, but the Chris Christensen shampoo isn't that bad for what you get. You're not going to give your dog a bath everyday anyway. So if you were planning on buying a shampoo or conditioner from a petshop anyway then it's not that much higher. Did I mention that I LOVE shampoo and conditioner that comes in a pump or spray bottle? It makes it so much easier! Holding down a squirming dog with one hand and trying to turn a bottle upside down and squeeze shampoo out with the other is no fun at all!

 

[SheltieLuver]

Well, I thought I was the only one who is a plush puppy fan! They do have some super good stuff. And, it smells so gooood. A little bit goes a long way...
I did use Chris Christensen shampoo quite often... but had a pro handler comment that it tend to make a sheltie coat to soft. I still use the ice on ice. It makes the hair shiny, plus has a sunscreen... so nice to have, specially if you own a black.

 

[BarbV]

Well, I thought I was the only one who is a plush puppy fan! They do have some super good stuff. And, it smells so gooood. A little bit goes a long way...
I did use Chris Christensen shampoo quite often... but had a pro handler comment that it tend to make a sheltie coat to soft. I still use the ice on ice. It makes the hair shiny, plus has a sunscreen... so nice to have, specially if you own a black.

I like the coat soft, I guess that's why I like the products so much! Indy is a Tri and his coat tends to feel rough and coarse on the hands. And I do worry about the sun on his coat...he already has reddish highlights from the sun. So his final touch up is a spritz of ice on ice and a brush through - and then his fur feels totally luxorious!

 

[SheltieLuver]

I kind of like it soft too. Makes them much more cuddley. But, for my show dogs it's suppose to be coarse. Oh well... Macy being a blue merle, has a soft coat naturally. I use the Plush Puppy "Ruffy Tuffy" to help make it course. Another, plus, for Plush Puppy... they have the cutest names!

 

[Caro]

I kind of like it soft too. Makes them much more cuddley. But, for my show dogs it's suppose to be coarse. Oh well... Macy being a blue merle, has a soft coat naturally. I use the Plush Puppy "Ruffy Tuffy" to help make it course. Another, plus, for Plush Puppy... they have the cutest names!

I have the reverse problem - a coarse coat that I want to make soft (for nicer cuddles) so I use the Plush Puppy seabreeze oil (and it smells like the sea too which I love). I am a real PP covert - love the stuff. I have found since I have been using the products grooming doesnt take as long - I think that is the benefit of using top quality dog products. Much less matting and the brushes glide through the coat easier.