undercoat rake

[Sir Max II]

Max is shedding big time, I am using slicker brush but I dont think it is getting at that under coat, Can I use a undercoat rake on him? And how do I use them do I have to be carfull with it?

[Deb's Tiny Dogs]

I've always been told not to use an undercoat rake on a puppy under a year old. I'm not sure why though. Maybe so as not to yank at that new undercoat until it's fully established. Others will post with their experience.

[MysticRealm]

You must be VERY careful with a rake. At our grooming shop you never use a rake without a dryer on the dog b/c with a dryer on you can see to the dog skin so if it is being hurt you can immediatly see and stop b4 mking it worse. We don't seem to get a whole lot of young dogs that have undercoat for whatever reason so I don't know about age (though I wouldn 't think it would matter)

[dirtydogdepot]

I am a groomer by profession, I would be careful, but you can use it... lightly !!!! And no more than 3 strokes in any area.... remember..... LIGHTLY !!! If you hurt him, he will remember it next time you try to use it on him... bathe him first, then dry him.... it loosens the hair.

[bernicesmama]

I had the same problem with Bernice and I purchased a rubber brush for horses, works like a dream. It is completely rubber and the actual brush side looks like little cones upside down. I can't remember the brand, but i will check when i get home. It seems to grab the hair beautifully without pain. Bernice actually likes it, i think it kind of massages her. I brush her every other day and i have reduced the shedding to almost nothing. The bush doesn't catch the hair very well so i would use it outside. They cost about 5 or 6 dollars at petsmart. I love this brush and it helps so much since i have horrible allergies. I'll look what brand it is tonight for you and report back.

[HeartSong]

Instead of getting a different brush, you can use one hand to hold the coat back against the grain so that you can see the skin and undercoat, and then brush out the undercoat. Then hold back a different area and repeat. It's takes quite a bit of time since you're working in small areas at a time, but I've done this with a Golden and a Chow who both had thick undercoats and it works really well.

[Sheltiemama]

I have a sheltie and groom her myself. I use an undercoat rake in the spring and fall when she blows her coat. I also have two long haired cats that just love it when I use that rake on them. They just flop from side to side and purr like crazy when I us the rake. I guess it's all in how you handle the rake itself.

[Ayla]

Originally Posted by bernicesmama

a rubber brush for horses

I believe you are speaking of a curry comb. There are several brands out there, you can find them at any (horse) feed store. They are cheap, under $5. They come in rubber, metal, and plastic. I think the rubber works best, especialy on a dog.

[bernicesmama]

my brush is called unigroom. I'm not sure if it is a curry comb, but it sure gets the hair out. I don't know if it will work wonders on your dog as it has my dog, (and a few family members' dogs) but I hope it helps you out of your furry mess.