Heavy Undercoats
Newfoundland, Collie, Great Pyrenees, Goldens, etc.
- Slicker Brush – brush while using the force dryer (if long coat begins to whorl and mat, pull dryer back to equal distance of coat length or remove black reducer nozzle, turn down the air flow).
- Mars Coat King (Rake) – 10-12 teeth remove undercoat and can be used with the dryer (do not overuse, or it can cause bald spots or damage the skin and 20 tooth works well on finer or thinner hair).
- Undercoat Rake – use with force dryer.
- Safari Deshedder
- Stripping Stone – do not use after bath (this is the only rough tool that may be used on head, legs, and tummy area).
- Stripping Knife – use on shoulders, neck, and outer thigh area (these are heavy shedding areas).
- Comb – comb starting at the base of the hair or from the skin out (use the fine to medium side of the comb).
- Zoom Groom – use on legs, head, and body in a circular motion (this tool is gentle and will not usually harm skin).
The undercoat must be removed before the bath, or the pet will not get clean. Bathing while the pet is still matted and has loose undercoat will tighten mats down to skin. This will make it harder for you to get the mats out, and it will be more painful for the pet.
Medium Coats
German Shepherd, Husky, Malamute, Akita, etc.
- Slicker Brush – use with force dryer.
- Mars Coat King (Rake)- use with force dryer.
- Undercoat Rake – use with force dryer.
- Safari Deshedder.
- Stripping Knife – use on shoulders, neck, and outer thigh area (these are heavy shedding areas).
- Stripping Stone – do not use after bath (this is the only rough tool that may be used on head, legs, and tummy area).
- Comb – comb starting at the base of the hair or from the skin out (use the fine to medium side of the comb).
- Zoom Groom – Use on legs, head, and body in a circular motion (this tool is gentle and will not usually harm skin).
If the pet has medium length hair, you may use the “Wet Rake” method during bathing to remove unwanted undercoat. Use a long, smooth toothed Undercoat Rake or wide comb. Add water to the tub. You can add Kennelwood shampoo or conditioner to the water as well. Turn on the Hydro-Surge and place the rake against the end of the hose nozzle. The water pressure from the hose will run over the top of tool. Hold the hydrosurge with the brush on the end of it close to the pet’s skin. The force of water and product will push undercoat from pet and not damage the outer coat. Focus your brushing close to the skin where the undercoat is located. Keep the water flowing through the rake while you brush for the best results. Be gentle; wet skin can irritate quickly. This will not work on soft matted undercoat.
Short Coat
Labradors, Beagle, Pugs, Hound Breeds, etc.
- Slicker Brush – brush gently while using the force dryer.
- Stripping Stone – do not use after bath (this is the only rough tool that may be used on head, legs, and tummy area).
- Safari deshedder
- Stripping Knife – use on shoulders, neck, and outer thigh area (these are heavy shedding areas) and be careful of wrinkles and folds on pugs and bulldogs because skin must be pulled taught before the use of metal tools on these breeds.
- Comb – use the fine side of the comb on Labradors and other short-coated breeds with an undercoat (comb the back side of rear legs from the tail to the hock and comb the tail too) because you will be surprised at the amount of fine undercoat that will be combed out of these areas.
- Zoom Groom – use in circular motion and don’t forget the head and legs (you may also use this in a circular motion with the hydro-surge during the shampoo or conditioning process).