Long Hair care

[Leslie]

My Sidney has a long, wavey coat that easily gets tangles. I've tried lots of products and some help but they either leave her greasy or leave her smelling like she's been dipped in an antiseptic solution. I'm thinking about trying Pro Dogs Brush and Shine Grooming Spray. Has anyone tried it? It's sold by the gallon which is a lot if it doesn't do the trick. Does it really make combing easier and help keep the tangles down? Does it have a pleasant odor?

[Moo]

Mmm... I just comb every day, every day, every day, to keep the hair straight so that no tangles get to start, let alone build. If I skip a few days, then it will take longer, naturally. Thing with mine is that the area of hair is much less than yours.

[Leslie]

Yes, your adorable little Kirby wouldn't take to long to comb out. Sidney weighs in at 108 lbs (not overweight) and her hair is 12 inches long in places and even with daily brushing she gets tangled. She is a country dog and loves to go out and run in the fields and chase the deer and squirrels which just helps to mess her up. But, she has so much fun, I can't curtail those activities. So the battle of the hair goes on. After a day playing in the rain (we get a lot of that around here so it is unavoidable if Sidney, Gretta and I are going to get the excersize we need) her hair curls up and tangles like a little long haired girl after a shampoo with no cream rinse. I do have a detangling spray I use on her but I'm not real happy with it so I thought I might try the Pro Dog spray. Just wondered if anyone has tried it. Oh my, I sound like it's such a chore don't I? I enjoy grooming her. She's well worth the time it takes to groom her each day. She gives back so much! I'd just like to make it more comfortable for her. She's such a love!

[Rip's Girl]

Leslie, if she's a country dog and can't give up her time running outside, have you considered having her clipped? I don't mean a really close shave, but enough of a clip so that she won't be tangled all the time with daily brushing?

I haven't ever had a real problem with my boys getting tangled, so I've never tried a detangling spray. Sorry.

[Leslie]

I know I probably should consider a shorter coat for Sidney but she has such a great coat (when freshly brushed) I can't quite get myself to go there. A bit hard to see how long her coat is on her sides in this pic but, could you clip this? I love her coat. During the summer months it's not so much to care for because she's not getting wet every day.

[Moo]

Well, I don't know about yours, but mine grows at least an inch per month. I never let him grow past 5 inches... so, if you do an all around shave to 3 inches or so, that would make you life much easier for the next few months.

[Leslie]

Yes , I know you are right. It would make life easier for both of us. Maybe I'll give it a try. It scares me a bit to think about tackling it. Do you cut Kirby's coat or take him to the groomers?

I'm guessing, since no one else has jumped in here, that we don't have anyone that's tried the Pro Dog Brush and Shine Spray.

Thanks for your replies Moo and Rip's girl.

[ChandraRae]

Leslie, I have tried that prod but I have tried several other PD prods and have been happy with them.

I'd go to the groomer at least the first time you're going to have it done and see if they will let you observe. That way you can decide if its something you want to do on your own or if you would rather continue letting them!

[Moo]

Noooo... I don't trust myself with the buzzer on my dog. lol. He's goes in for professional clippings.

[Leslie]

Chandra: Did you mean to say you have or have not tried this particular product?
I'm leaning toward giving it a try before I have Sidney clipped.