A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Groom a Long-Haired Dog
Long-haired dog breeds like Golden Retrievers, Shetland Sheepdogs, Shih Tzus, and Afghan Hounds can be especially beautiful. To keep their flowing coats shiny and healthy, though, they do require extra attention, and grooming can be even more difficult with breeds that sport a dense undercoat.
As a groomer, you understand the importance of regular washing, brushing, and trimming for any pooch. Long-haired breeds must receive routine grooming to minimize shedding, prevent tangles and matting, and ensure healthy skin.
Fortunately, with key tips and the right equipment and tools on hand — like ergonomic tubs, high-velocity dryers, and quality shears from Waggz — grooming a long-haired dog can not only be stress-free, but fun as well. So how should you go about grooming long-haired dogs for clients or as a pet parent? Here are six essential steps for success.
Step 1: Prepare Your Grooming Space
Grooming is a variable experience for dogs and groomers alike. Some pets remain cool as a cucumber, despite loud noises and an unfamiliar environment. Others are far more finicky and not at all afraid to voice their displeasure with growls, yips, and even nips.
The best thing you can do to put animals at ease, regardless of their disposition, is to create a setting conducive to relaxation and speedy grooming. In addition to engineering a calming space, having the right equipment and tools at your disposal can expedite the process and alleviate stress for both people and pooches.
Creating the Ideal Grooming Environment
There are three main factors to consider when it comes to creating a setting where dogs feel safe. The first thing you need is a quiet area. While mobile groomers enjoy the self-contained setting of a vehicle like a van or truck, a bustling salon might feature some challenges.
Again, some dogs are perfectly fine in a setting with other pets and machine noises. For those who are especially nervous, you might want to set aside an area or even a private room that’s a bit more peaceful.
The second requirement is cleanliness. This is not only important for maintaining hygiene but also for keeping pets calm. While you might not be able to completely remove the smell of other pooches from tubs and tables between every grooming session, thorough daily cleaning tasks help minimize distractions for dogs.
Finally, make sure the grooming area is well-lit to make your job easier and speed up grooming. Tables that incorporate lighting offer task-oriented illumination, in addition to any overhead or natural light in your salon or mobile grooming unit.
Choosing the Right Tools and Equipment
When considering how to groom a dog with long hair, having the right tools and equipment on hand is crucial. It starts with sturdy equipment like Waggz Step-Range XL Electric Grooming Tables that offer convenient and ergonomic functionality.
You’ll want to look for electric height adjustment features that allow you to set the ideal table height for every grooming session. This will help to reduce strain and minimize delays.
You might also opt for a table that features built-in drawers to hold brushes, combs, shears, towels, and dryers so that they’re within easy reach when you need them. The addition of a built-in power strip ensures you can keep your session moving along, instead of crawling behind furniture in search of a power outlet.
Step 2: Brush Out Tangles and Mats
Long, sleek, shiny coats are gorgeous, provided they’re well-managed. A dog with overgrown hair can run into a variety of challenges, including a coat that suffers frequent tangles and even matting.
Daily brushing may not be adequate when a coat is too long, and this can leave pooches dealing with uncomfortable tangles that pull and irritate sensitive skin. Regular grooming, including bathing, brushing, detangling, and trims, can make a world of difference.
Detangling a dog’s coat without excessive pulling that could hurt the animal can be accomplished in much the same way as brushing out fine human hair. Starting at the ends and working your way toward the roots is a good starting point. If you encounter issues with severe tangles and mats or sensitive skin, a detangler spray can help lubricate hair and encourage tangles to loosen.
The right brush can make a difference as well, and it never hurts to have a couple of good options on hand. An Utsumi Long Pin Brush is a functional choice, with durable and hygienic stainless steel pins, a natural rubber airbag for flexible movement, and an ABS plastic handle with comfort grip to reduce hand fatigue.
You might also consider an Artero Juliet Long Protected Pin Slicker brush. Available in four head sizes ranging from XS to L, this brush features an air cushion system and protected pin tips for superior comfort and function.
Step 3: Bathing Your Long-Haired Dog
After detangling, it’s time to wash away dirt, dander, and debris that contribute to tangles and irritated skin. You’ll want to use shampoo and conditioning products formulated for long coats, and possibly products suited to pups with sensitive skin.
Use lukewarm water for animal comfort, and then lather and rinse thoroughly to remove dirt and prevent buildup. The right grooming tubs offer a balance of pet security and easy access for bathing, along with features like convenient height adjustment for safe and comfortable washing.
Consider extras like a built-in handheld sprayer with variable spray pressure for thorough rinsing with gentle to deep cleaning.
Step 4: Drying the Coat Properly
When learning how to groom a long-haired dog, proper drying is an important lesson. If you don’t want to undo all your hard work to this point, start by blotting — not rubbing — with an absorbent towel to reduce excess moisture.
From there, turn to a high-velocity portable or stand dryer to finish the job. This piece of equipment removes water quickly and helps to prevent matting throughout the drying process. You’ll need to keep the nozzle moving to protect animals from overheating, and dry in layers when dogs have double coats.
Step 5: Trimming and Shaping
Once a dog’s coat is clean, dry, and detangled, any pet owner might think a pooch is good to go. However, regular trims and shaping help to prevent overgrowth that’s prone to picking up dirt and encouraging new tangles. As you groom, remember to proceed slowly and cautiously to ensure the safety and comfort of pets.
Tidying Up the Coat
Just like human haircuts, dogs don’t need radical restyling with every grooming session. Often, simply trimming long-haired dogs is all that’s required. Focus on paws, hocks, ears, and the tail area, where new growth is at greater risk of matting.
For this delicate work, stick to curved or straight Waggz grooming scissors that allow for quick, precise cuts. Geib Buttercut Shears are particularly beloved by professional groomers for their durability, craftsmanship, and ergonomic function.
Tackling Advanced Styling
If a dog is due for more intensive styling, a combination of straight scissors and thinning shears allows you to blend layers for a more sophisticated finish. Using an angled scissor technique, you can also create an attractive, feathered appearance on the tail, legs, neck, or head. Thinning shears help to refine the look.
Step 6: Final Brushing and Finishing Touches
When the trim is complete, it’s time to focus on the finishing touches. Brush out the coat one final time to remove any trimmings or loose fur. This will also smooth the coat and make it shine. A spritz of coat polish or conditioning spray can help maintain manageability between grooming sessions, while dog cologne neutralizes unwanted odors and pampers delicate skin.
As a final step, evaluate nails, ears, and eyes. You may opt to offer extra services like nail trimming and cleaning the delicate ear and eye areas, or include it as part of the overall grooming. Nail grinders and wipes make it easy to tackle these additional tasks.
“It’s extremely important to have a good maintenance program for all coat dogs, especially long haired dogs. It will promote a more healthy and comfortable living situation for the dog. Brushing and combing a dog’s fur is essential to not only maintain a beautiful coat, but will also prevent mats, tangles and irritations. Brushing and combing more frequently will allow a groomer to achieve a certain look/style. The key is good tools and good bathing products. Dogs will be comfortable and healthy, and owners will be pleased with the results.” Michael Vo, Sales Manager & Bark Bath Owner
Tips for Success
Understanding the specific challenges of how to groom a dog with long hair helps you choose the right equipment and tools for the job and employ techniques that keep pets comfortable and calm throughout. For lasting success, speak with clients about establishing a regular grooming routine.
Long-haired breeds typically require grooming every 4 to 6 weeks at minimum, although this may depend on how active they are and whether clients like to keep them looking show-quality. During sessions, make sure to use positive reinforcement like gentle petting, speaking in a soothing voice, and of course, offering treats to keep animals calm.
Shop Waggz Grooming Tools for Long-Haired Dogs
Waggz is committed to making the grooming experience a positive one for pets and groomers alike. It all starts with high-quality equipment designed for comfort and convenience, including:
Working with long-haired breeds doesn’t have to be any more difficult than short-haired dogs when you have the right knowledge and equipment at your disposal. Whether you’re a pro or just starting out, Waggz has the tools to make grooming easier, safer, and more efficient.
