Dog Clippers

[cattitude]

Not sure if this will work for the elkhound, but for the shepherd we use a Grooming Comb - We have the medium and fine we use on our German Shepherd... once we got the Medium through her coat, I went to the fine tooth and it makes a WORLD of difference. I comb her about every week with the fine comb and it takes about 5 minutes.

If I get lazy and let her go, I have to go back to the Medium comb if I wait more than a couple of months. Mostly in the spring/summer I stay on top of it.

Finishing Touch Long Hair Dog Grooming Rake

I always used this type of rake on my Shepherds, worked really well.

 

[ICit]

Finishing Touch Long Hair Dog Grooming Rake

I always used this type of rake on my Shepherds, worked really well.

I hear ya! I love this rake. And it works like a champ on the undercoat.

 

[Cowgirl]

Mig, it might be worth it to take them to the groomers, even though it might be a pain to put them in the car. The blowers they use to dry the coats are awesome at getting out hair. When I worked at a grooming place on summer, I could brush and brush and still not get the results the blower would get. Just a suggestion. :shrug:

 

[migtig]

Mig, it might be worth it to take them to the groomers, even though it might be a pain to put them in the car. The blowers they use to dry the coats are awesome at getting out hair. When I worked at a grooming place on summer, I could brush and brush and still not get the results the blower would get. Just a suggestion. :shrug:

I've taken the little one (though when I say little it is in comparison) to groomers before and he survives quite well and even acts as if he feels "pretty" when done. He really isn't a problem. But the big dog is a real concern. Number one is his sheer size. Number two is the fact that he's a rescue. He really doesn't have any manners. We've been working on it, but he's not been well socialized in the past. Which is a shame, cause he is such a big loveable monster, IMHO. I barely survived him getting his shots, I don't know how a road trip to the groomers would go. I'd probably be banned for life.

 

[Cowgirl]

I've taken the little one (though when I say little it is in comparison) to groomers before and he survives quite well and even acts as if he feels "pretty" when done. He really isn't a problem. But the big dog is a real concern. Number one is his sheer size. Number two is the fact that he's a rescue. He really doesn't have any manners. We've been working on it, but he's not been well socialized in the past. Which is a shame, cause he is such a big loveable monster, IMHO. I barely survived him getting his shots, I don't know how a road trip to the groomers would go. I'd probably be banned for life.

You never know until you try. :shrug: I've had two greyhounds in the back of a small car. They were really big dogs. Even if you have to take each dog by itself, I'm sure it would work. Unless you drive one of those SMART cars...then maybe not. But how big can he be? My friend's Great Dane goes in the back of her small car. If they have to stand on the seat for a bit, so what? And groomers have muzzles....and maybe if you explain his issues you can find a groomer to take the time to work with him, and not just rush him through.

 

[ICit]

You never know until you try. :shrug: I've had two greyhounds in the back of a small car. They were really big dogs. Even if you have to take each dog by itself, I'm sure it would work. Unless you drive one of those SMART cars...then maybe not. But how big can he be? My friend's Great Dane goes in the back of her small car. If they have to stand on the seat for a bit, so what? And groomers have muzzles....and maybe if you explain his issues you can find a groomer to take the time to work with him, and not just rush him through.

Great thought! They may even let him stay to help hold him if he is that big. I have met some Shilo's that are HUGE!

 

[migtig]

You never know until you try. :shrug: I've had two greyhounds in the back of a small car. They were really big dogs. Even if you have to take each dog by itself, I'm sure it would work. Unless you drive one of those SMART cars...then maybe not. But how big can he be? My friend's Great Dane goes in the back of her small car. If they have to stand on the seat for a bit, so what? And groomers have muzzles....and maybe if you explain his issues you can find a groomer to take the time to work with him, and not just rush him through.

Any suggestions on who would be brave enough to take him on? He's about 3 feet tall, longer than I am tall so 5 feet plus length wise and he weighs in at more than me at around 150 lbs. He was dragging me all over the place for walks, but now he's in a harness and doing much better. He takes up the whole car, and cries the entire time for car trips. Baby's traumatized.

 

[Cowgirl]

Any suggestions on who would be brave enough to take him on? He's about 3 feet tall, longer than I am tall so 5 feet plus length wise and he weighs in at more than me at around 150 lbs. He was dragging me all over the place for walks, but now he's in a harness and doing much better. He takes up the whole car, and cries the entire time for car trips. Baby's traumatized.

I'd love to do it! But I'm not sure when the next time I'll be down in St. Mary's will be.

 

[ICit]

Any suggestions on who would be brave enough to take him on? He's about 3 feet tall, longer than I am tall so 5 feet plus length wise and he weighs in at more than me at around 150 lbs. He was dragging me all over the place for walks, but now he's in a harness and doing much better. He takes up the whole car, and cries the entire time for car trips. Baby's traumatized.

Have you ever tried a gentle leader/halti? People say they work wonders... it just takes time for them to get use to them? Just a thought. Call around and chat with a few people to get a feel for how they would handle your dog.
Good Luck

 

[migtig]

Have you ever tried a gentle leader/halti? People say they work wonders... it just takes time for them to get use to them? Just a thought. Call around and chat with a few people to get a feel for how they would handle your dog.
Good Luck

I did try that, but it didn't give me the upper hand in controlling him. I went to the harness on the suggestion of a friend's husband who said his mom used it. I swear the harness is a miracle worker. Now I can not only say no, but I can prove I mean it. He turns and looks at me sometimes like - "wow you stopped me from dragging you across the yard chasing that rabbit...how did you do that...I'm bigger"

 

[migtig]

You're welcome to use my truck.

Actually tell N I love the harness.

I'm gonna give you a holler when I get out of here today - K?

 

[SamSpade]

What's the deal on Peticure, for nail clipping?

 

[Parrotmomm]

I know everyone has different opinions on shaving double coated dogs, but I have a Japanese Akita and a Husky x (she looks like a Carolina dog) and I shave them both. I hate shaving our Husky x, she has the most beautiful saddle that I lose for over a year, but she LOVES being shaved! I always shave our Akita, she is a beautiful silver brindle and when she's shaved down her stripes are so defined She also loves being shaved, they both act like they have been relieved of such a burden and run around the house in the "My tail is on fire" run afterwards - they can't help it they know their cute One thing I think that should be mentioned in that shaving a double coated dog can ruin it's coat I know both Storm and Savannah have a thin patch where their tails curl over their backs that takes a long time to come back in (I've seen lots of dogs, poms especially, that grow back really patchy all over - although one shave down shouldn't be so detrimental)

I wish you/your groomer (go to a professional with coats like that, it's worth it) the best of luck, because that is a JOB! Storm is the only Japanese Akita I've ever shaved, but her hair is not like the American Akita's (which to clip is similiar to your Elkhound ) and Savannah our Husky x is decent to clip too, not normal for a pure Husky (Thank God!) I have a pair of Andis that I love, I have small hands and I like how comfortable they are to hold, I also use a 7F backwards on my girls *ducks to avoid smacks from other groomers* but I like it really close and I don't have to worry about leaving/blending lines and it comes back in so quickly with in no time they have a soft fuzziness all over to protect them from the sun.

Good luck - they might look silly but it's only hair I just have to say my girls love a good shave down and are due again now

BTW - Cowgirl is RIGHT ON about those dryers, I wouldn't even try to shave my girls without washing them and blowing them out (I have a K-9 II that rocks), it would be so hard to get the job done without it!

 

[RareBreed]

Yesterday alone, I brushed out two full Food Lion bags worth of my dog's hair that she is blowing. She is losing her hair in patches so her coat looks all lumpy. Although I am sure she was happy to get rid of all that extra fur, she fought me the entire time.

 

[CRoyal]

Yes Cattitude I do, but I am telling you it doesn't make a difference. And yes, I do think they are hot, when they sit there for hours straight panting and go through bowls of water like crazy while they are inside with AC on.

I appreciate your concern, but I would like to shave both the dogs. I'm not making either one "bald", I am making both more comfortable and I am getting the mats and knots out of the big dog's hair so in the future I can brush him better and it won't be so painful for him.

I see that I am a bit late on this.. but at both grooming facilities I have worked at/owned we require a release form to shave down the double-coated dogs. Imagine going into the hot sun with a t-shirt on vs being bare chested. You will feel cooler with the t-shirt on because it is protecting you from the sun. That is essentially what a dog's coat does. It insulates them in heat and cold.
I have seen instances where a double-coated dog had been shaved and the hair NEVER grew back or grew back in patches. One case the dog had been getting shaved for years, and then one time it didn't grow back properly. Double coated dogs are not meant to be shaved.
Maybe with your matted shep, just shave out the areas that are matted. A LOT of people shave their dogs and I know this, but it truly is better (and cheaper) to get them a really good bath, brush, and blow out. Good luck!!