Getting my puppy Fang was a huge win in my life.
I love my German Shepherd, and she loves me, too.
We have a special bond for sure. Believe me, when I say that there is nothing Fang could do that would make me stop loving her.
However, she does present me with some serious challenges I was not sure I was going to be able to handle.
Thankfully, I was able to use the Internet to get me on the right path and make things better for Fang and myself!
Hi! My name is Nance. I am absolutely elated to be sharing with you my top techniques to get your dog to stop shedding.
Now there is no magic method-you cannot make a dog stop doing what comes naturally.
But you absolutely can exert some control over it.
I first learned why it is important to control your pet’s hair loss from Paula Simon’s article about how to stop your dog from shedding on K9 of Mine’s blog.
There are dozens of ways you can control the shedding, and so it can be hard to choose the very best ones.
That’s where I come in.
I am going to show you the most effective tips and give you some ideas about how to use them.
I finally decided the techniques that follow are the best ones.
They turned out to be very effective for me and my dog, plus my family and coworkers that I told them to!
Why Dogs Shed
First, we should understand why dogs shed. You can’t fix a problem if you don’t know how it starts.
Dogs will shed their old hair to grow new fur.
Like us humans, dogs shed their hair all the time so that old or damaged hair is pushed out and new, healthy hair comes in to replace it.
Your dog’s coat thus looks lovely and full.
Seasons changing can be another big issue.
Summer and winter coats are different-winter is, of course, heavier, and then when your pup sheds the winter fur in the spring, it can be shocking to see clumps of hair everywhere.
It’s normal. Don’t worry!
Breed also makes a difference. Some breeds shed a little, others a lot.
Poodles, for example, shed such little hair, whereas Huskies shed so much you will feel like you could build a second dog from the hairs!
Plus, if you are an allergy sufferer, you will need to get the shedding under control.
Follow along and I will show you my techniques.
The Tips and Tricks
Grooming Is Important
You don’t necessarily have to go to a groomer. You and your dog can bond over the act of grooming.
Grooming is important, as it is not a matter of how your dog looks, but it also affects their physical health too.
It is just like us humans- we too need regular showers and haircuts for good health.
By frequently brushing your dog you can remove old hair and get oils flowing throughout the dog’s coat.
It is also important to bathe your dog.
I was really skeptical of the bathing, because wouldn’t that wash out the oils in the skin?
But then I learned that you should only bathe your dog once every 1 to 3 months. Whew!
Plus, Fang really loves to shake and shimmy after the tub meaning I have to go through with a mop!
I did not know how Fang would react to the brush I had picked up for her at the store.
I should have reviewed the best products for the job because it does matter!
I was using a standard brush I had picked up from the pet store, but it felt like it wasn’t working. I then decided to pick up a glove brush and a ZoomGroom.
The glove brush makes me feel like I am petting Fang, but the ZoomGroom gets rid of loose hairs and massages my dog!
Nutrition Is So Important
Like us humans, it is so important for dogs to eat well. Thus, I just buy the stuff at my local pet store the vet recommended.
I know that if I give my dog bad food, she will feel bad-just like when we as humans eat bad food or drink too much.
And it affects her appearance, too.
The wrong food means a dull and dry coat, a lot of shedding, and dandruff.
I have always fed my dog with good food, but not my mom.
Her dog ate grocery-brand food, and the dog shed like crazy! Thankfully the pup has always been lively and bright, but that hair-no way!
So, I told my mom what I feed my dog, and she made the switch. The hair is still there (she has a golden retriever) but not as bad as before.
Just spend a little extra for the good stuff, and less time vacuuming!
Getting Control of That Hair
So, if you are reading this, you are definitely in the same situation as me.
Hair is just all over the place, and you can’t seem to go anywhere without it! And who else has had a dog hair show up in their food, or on their phone screen!
Don’t all jump at once.
Anyway, Fang sheds her undercoat twice a year, and it is harsh. I brush her 2-3 times a week because otherwise, it would get way too out of hand.
I always brush her outdoors, so the hair just blows around the yard and not in my house. Even in the winter, I just bundle up and deal with it.
Makes it a lot easier!
If you need more help grooming your dog, this page should help!
You can also vacuum the dog, too. Get yourself a vacuum brush, attach it to your vac and get to work.
Make sure you reward your dog-pups often hate the vacuum, so make it a positive experience with treats.
Invest in furniture covers. Don’t be afraid of them-they look fine.
You can also get some seat covers for the family car, and just toss them in the washer when they get too dirty.
Lastly, some pet owners even opt to shave their dog.
This is good if you live in a hot climate but do your best to avoid it. Dogs need to maintain their body temps, as we do.
Do Not Rule Out Medical Issues
Some shedding is absolutely normal. But if it gets way too excessive, do not ignore it.
If you notice your dog is shedding way more than usual, take notice and attack the problem before it gets worse.
Too much shedding can mean that there is an underlying medical issue and you should address it right away.
Poor nutrition was the case with Sundance, my mom’s golden retriever.
But read on for the other culprits.
Fleas
Fleas are super common, and almost every pet owner I know has dealt with them at least once before.
The bites these pests leave behind damage your dog’s skin and makes them itch. For some dogs, this gets even worse as these are the dogs that have secondary skin infections and extreme itchiness.
You can use oral or topical medication.
I also used Dawn dish soap to bathe Fang when she was afflicted. Persistence is key.
Other Parasites
Mites are a huge culprit when it comes to hair loss in dogs.
Mites are the leading cause of mange, which leads to a massive amount of hair loss in your dog.
If you are not sure about mites, talk to your vet-he or she can use a microscope to see what the problem is.
Skin Infections
Infections can cause the skin to be inflamed, which results in itchiness for your dog.
The pathogens that cause this infection may also be the reason behind the damage of your dog’s hair.
Allergies
Like us humans, dogs can experience allergies in food. It leads to itchiness and damage to the skin.
You may wish to consider switching to an all-natural dog food and treats for a possible solution.
Final Thoughts
Those are the top techniques that I have for you to help control the shedding that undoubtedly happens in your home.
Just stay on top of things-that’s all you need to do.
Research how often your dog should be brushed based on hair length.
Make sure to provide regular baths as recommended. Always make sure to reward your dog for good behavior and listen to his body language.
If your dog hates the vacuum technique, even after treats and toys are rewarded, try a new method and reassure your pet.
If he or she feels calm using a brushing glove, use it and offer a treat after for good behavior.
Remember that by taking these extra steps and doing some extra work here and there-regular brushings, good nutrition, and outfitting our homes to be hair-friendly-we can save ourselves some steps and preserve our dog’s health for the future.
Got any techniques for helping the shedding situation?
Share this post, and comment below your own ideas! We would love to hear from you and your pup.
