Lizzie

Hi!

I have a couple of questions about what I need in terms of equipment to bathe and brush my miniature poodle. She is 5 months now, and so far I've been using a pin-brush together with a comb that I check for matt’s with. This has worked quite well for us, but after reading here it seems that there are some things I have missed and that I might benefit from having. Number one is that I'm getting a slicker brush (I do have one, but it's awful, so I'm getting a better one).

I saw mentioned that some people spray the coat with some sort of leave in conditioner or something when brushing? Can anyone give me some pointers on this? I have noticed her coat sometimes can get a bit dull after a brush, will a spray help against that?

Should I be using a conditioner when I give her a bath? So far I have been just using puppy shampoo. Does anyone have recommendations as to which conditioner to buy? (preferably one that's available in the UK)

Also, after bathing her I usually towel her off and then blow dry her a little bit, but she doesn’t like it that much and I find it difficult to juggle the brush and dryer at the same time. So she’s been air drying after she’s sort of half dry. But I read that drying and brushing at the same time makes the coat less likely to matt, and that it stays nice for longer. Is this something you’ve found? Would it be a good idea to invest in a proper dog hair dryer with a stand so my hands are free? Again, any suggestions to which one I should buy? I guess for using that I might need one of those lead thingys to put on the table, or a grooming table?

Hmm.. I think that’s it! If anyone has any other recommendations based on what I’ve written, please tell me! I’m here to learn. And thanks in advance to anyone who’s bothered to read this!

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organza.evidence

Hi,first about your brush:try to buy Madan or CC soft slicker brush.I'm not sure if you need now so much pin brush since you have puppy,only later for long hair on ears and neck.For example,if you use good shampoo ,I use CC Day to Day now and the same conditioner(but my poodles are now 3 and 4 years,maybe you have shampoo for puppies),but until 9 months old puppy you don't need conditioner when you bath him,only later live on.I used to put CC Silk Spirit or Pet Silk Liquid Silk on coat after bath and live on conditioner Pet Silk.You really need to dry good the coat,as you said,to have not matt and to have nice shine and straith hair.About the hair dryer,maybe you don't need a big stand one but only that arm for dryer so you can put on every table.
I have professional human dryer and that arm and for now it's ok.
And one advice if you want good long hair:don't brush dirty hair,better to bath him :-)

Lizzie

Thanks for the reply! Yes, I was thinking about getting a hair dryer with a stand to put on the table. And thanks for the advice that I don't need conditioner until she's 9 months, that's really good to know! I had her clipped yesterday and now her coat is so short it's not very high maintenance anyway, but it's good to know what to do! Also, interesting that you say the coat gets more shiny if you dry it properly after the bath. I didn't know that! I'll also bear in mind not to brush her if she's dirty, but rather give her a bath. I think that's probably a good idea although she's dirty quite often now as it's so rainy and muddy her wintertime!

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mom24doggies

Brushes: a CC brush would be good...I've never used one but I've felt one and they are nice! I just can't afford it right now. So I use a #1 All Systems slicker brush. IMO, they are just as good. I have like 5 because I use them so much as a groomer. As your pup's adult coat comes in, you will find a pin brush won't be enough so I would definitely recommend getting her used to a slicker now.

Spray on conditioners: I love CC Ice on Ice. Also pure paws H2o spray is great for a dry coat or one prone to breakage. Both will add a shine to your pups coat.

Conditioner for bathing: I always use some kind of conditioner, on both my adult and puppy. Really though it depends on your climate. I live in Texas, and it's very dry here so if I didn't condition I wouldn't be able to keep their hair long it would break off! Depending on how their coat feels, I use either Coat Handler, CC spectrum one, or Pure Paws H2o. The coat handler and spectrum one are mainly to seal the hair shaft they aren't super moisturizing, H2o is pretty heavy and I use it probably once a month, if they are dry, or are getting a lot of breakage.

Dryer: I would recommend a high velocity dryer. That way you don't have to try to brush, dry, AND hold the dog lol. She needs to get used to being dried now or she will be a freak for it later. Yes a HV is a little pricey, but it will last you forever.

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"Love is the emotion that a woman feels always for a poodle dog and sometimes for a man." ~George Jean Nathan

KamelotMom

The CC MK VIII is an awesome slicker. Because it's round you can brush in any direction without changing your grip on the handle. You can also work out any matts by doing a little circle and pull stroke.

Keep in mind when choosing any kind of slicker brush you want it to be gentle. Test the brush by first brushing along the back of your arm. If you see any scratches the brush isn't gentle but cutting your skin and will cut your dogs' skin too.