Brushing

Every dog has a different type of coat that will require a different type of brush.

Here are some of the various brush types to help you choose what brush will work best for your dog’s coat.

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Types of Brushes

General Use Brushes

Pin Brush

Basic brush for all coats, gentle on skin

Coat type: All

Bristle Brush

Soft bristles for sensitive places like face and ears. Good starting brush to introduce brushing to puppies

Coat type: Short, All

Deshedding/Dematting brushes

Deshedding Brush

Removes loose undercoat without stripping the topcoat.

Coat type: All

Slicker Brush

Useful for light shedding. Also used in fluffing up the fur and feathering.

Coat type: Long hair, curly coats, wavy coats

Combs

Useful for long hair and to feather tails and beards

Coat type: Long hair

Undercoat Rake

Useful for the undercoat and topcoat on double-coated breeds

Coat type: Long hair, double coat

Dematting Comb

Designed especially to remove minor matts

Coat type:

Shedding Blade

Removes loose fur, but can pull topcoat.

Coat type: Short hair

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Step By Step
Introducing your puppy to brushing

Brushing is important to the health of your dog's coat. Brushing should be a positive experience for you and your dog, and getting them started as a puppy can make all the difference.

• Before brushing

  • A great starter brush for a puppy is the bristle brush, which is soft and gentle on their fur.

  • Make sure your puppy has been fed, out to potty, and not tired.

  • Introduce your puppy to the brush itself. Put the brush on the floor and lay some treats around it to encourage your puppy to investigate. Do not allow your puppy to chew on the brush.

  • Reach out and touch your puppy with the bristles of brush followed by a treat, until the puppy is comfortable with the motion of the brush coming towards him/her.

  • Watch your puppy's reactions to each step. If your puppy seems distressed or avoids the brush, go back a step and slowly work up their confidence with praise and treats.

• While brushing

  • Brush your puppy in the same direction their fur grows

  • Give plenty of praise and/or treats while brushing

  • Keep brushing sessions short, because

    • Puppy attention spans are short, so you don't want them to associate brushing as a punishment by forcing them to sit still for long periods of time.

    • Dogs of any age can get "brush burn", which is irritated skin from brushing too hard, too long, or using an improper brush for their coat.

• After brushing

  • Play with your puppy with their favorite toy, or curl up for some cuddles, to end a session on a positive note.

If you have any questions about what brush to use with your puppy or about about introducing your puppy to being brushed, feel free to contact your trainer.