Many new dog owners think shedding is the norm just for big, fluffy beasts like Siberian Huskies, Malamutes, and Old English Sheepdogs. But to the surprise of many new owners, all dogs shed — even the short-furred breeds that no one expects to shed at first glance can actually shed the most! That’s right — sleek Dalmatians, Pugs, and even Chihuahuas are actually some of the biggest shedders. So whether this secret is a new revelation to you or not, you’ll want to learn about deshedding techniques — unless you’d like your house to gradually transform into a big fur pile!

While every dog groomer provides a comprehensive deshedding service, the average price for a visit to the groomer is between sixty and eighty dollars. If your dog is fluffy enough to require regular deshedding, you can save yourself a tremendous amount of money and inconvenience by learning how Groomers Deshed their Dogs and try to recreate the process from the comfort of your home.

The Groomers Deshedding Tools

Before beginning the deshedding process, you’ll need to purchase a few simple tools. The first of these is a dedicated dog comb or brush. Almost any commercially available dog brush will do the trick for this, but if you have a pup with an especially long fur or a double-layer coat, you might want to consider investing in a slick dog brush or undercoat rake that allows you to remove dead fur from the undercoat without damaging longer hairs.

Second, you’ll need a high-quality dog shampoo, as well as a conditioner if you’d like to give your pup the deluxe treatment. 

And lastly, we recommend you purchase a high quality blow dryer — unless you’re a fan of the classic wet dog smell! If your dog is of the fluffier variety, you will need a high velocity dog dryer to significantly speed up the deshedding process.

Getting down to deshedding

Once you have all the proper tools on hand, it’s time to get down to the fun, fur-filled process of deshedding your doggie. The most popular groomer-approved deshedding method is called “The Four B’s”: Brush, Bathe, Blow-Dry, Brush again. That sounds pretty simple, but to reach that groomer level fluff-free fur, you’ll need to spend some time learning to properly execute each step with care. 

1. Brushing

The golden rule of brushing is to treat dog hair as you would want someone to treat your own. So if thinking about brushing through a nasty tangle makes you wince, remember to use the same level of caution when brushing your dog! Always be as gentle as you can when brushing your dog by gradually working out tangles until they disappear. 

In terms of technique, always try to brush down and away from the dog’s skin, moving in the direction that the hair is growing. Beyond these two tips, brushing technique varies tremendously depending on the type of dog you own — long-haired dogs will require a much more thorough combing through their undercoats than short-haired breeds. Do your research to see the exact technique you should be using so you don’t irritate your canine companion during the deshedding process.

2. Bathing

Bathing your pup can be one of the most heartwarming parts of owning a dog — our furry friends are often as thrilled to get all sudsy during bathtime!  Before you begin, however, be sure to check what level of bathing is appropriate for your breed — too much bathing can sometimes damage the fur of longer-haired breeds. 

When bathing for the purpose of deshedding, you’ll find a lot more success with specifically designed deshedding shampoos and conditioners. These products work their way deep into dogs’ coats and help smooth out their fur so that loose fur and dead skin can more easily rise to the surface. Simply work these products deep into your dog’s skin under running water and they’ll be a happier and less fur-producing pup by the end of the bath!

3. Brush again

A second brushing is the step that amateur groomers most often neglect, but it’s a crucial one if you want to administer the perfect deshed. Just repeat step one after your pup hops out of the bath, and watch in awe as at how much fur comes out after a hearty soaping.

4. Blow-drying

Few of us like a soaked, smelly creature walking around our houses, so blow-drying is a very important step after any bath. One of the best-kept secrets of the professional grooming industry is the use of high-powered blow dryers to complete the deshedding process. Blowing long haired breeds with high velocity dog dryers can be the magic bullet in flushing out all of the dead fur matted in the underlayer of their coats and is the easiest way to deshed your dog. After a solid high velocity blow dry, even ultra-heavy shedders like Malamutes and Huskies can go weeks without leaving piles of fur on your couch.

Deshedding: Final Takeaways

No groomer can keep a dog from shedding altogether — dogs need to shed to keep themselves cool! But by following the Four B’s of professional deshedding, you can make this process easier for your dog — and house-cleaning much easier for you. Happy deshedding!