SHED-X® Pro
Our Sadie & Willow pet resort grooming partner, Kennelwood, is known for their patented SHED-X Pro procedure, which helps drastically reduce shedding. SHED-X Pro works best if done every 4-6 weeks. Our Sadie & Willow shedding products (Shampoo, Conditioner, Tangle Remover, DMAT Solution) support the entire SHED-X Pro process.
Our SHED-X PRO procedure has five steps.
- Airbrush with high velocity airbrush (dryer) to thoroughly remove all loose hair. Follow with hand brushing using grooming tools.
- Hydrosurge the pet using a power bath to clean and remove additional hair.
- Airbrush the pet in the tub until the pet is approximately 80% dry, then finish the drying process using the Snyder or fans hung on the cage door.
- Airbrush after the pet is completely dry to thoroughly remove all loose hair. Follow with hand brushing using proper tools.
- Apply anti-shedding lotion.
Healthy Skin and Coat
Extra conditioning for dry skin and hair.
- Hydrosurge power bath to clean and exfoliate skin using Sadie & Willow appropriate shampoos.
- Rinse all shampoo out of coat.
- Hydrosurge with 2 pumps Sadie & Willow Healthy Skin shampoos and fresh water for 3 minutes.
- Towel dry
Approved SHED-X® Treatment Tools and Product
Zoom Groom®*
Removes loose hair, dirt, and flaky skin without yanking, pulling, or scratching. Cat Zoom Grooms are made in the shape of a cat and have longer and softer nubs. Works well for SHED-X Pro step one initial brushing and step three brushing and blowing. Short haired dogs’ benefit from being brushed in a circular motion with a rubber toothed brush. The brand name of this tool is a Zoom Groom, but it is like a rubber horse curry comb. This kind of brush is often best used in the areas where the pet is muscled, such as the shoulder and thigh area. This tool is used so often by Groom Techs that it will wear out.
Fine and Extra Fine Combs
Finely spaced teeth aid in eliminating shedding hair and is often better tolerated than other brushes by long hair cats. his can be used in sensitive areas of other longer coated breeds. It helps assure a mat free coat. Good combs last a long time.
Rubber and Curry Brushes
These brushes are an alternative to the Zoom Groom®*. They work well on short- coated breeds.
Slicker/Pin Brushes
Various slicker brushes are used on dense and long coated pets. The curved Universal Brush works well by design. Curved bristles and curved face lift the hair away from the skin with less wrist action. Slicker or Pin brushes can be used on short and long-haired dogs.
There are many different brands, styles, and sizes of brushes. In general pin brushes, have longer, more flexible teeth than slicker brushes and are often covered by plastic tips. Brushes can also have hard, medium, or soft pins and the pins can be various lengths. Longer length pins are for long coated dogs. Softer slicker brushes like the Ever Gentle™ brushes work well for longer coats with sensitive skin or thinner coats. Care must be taken with both types of pets, but especially with short-haired dogs so that the skin is not scratched by the brush (brush burn). Severe skin injuries can occur if too much force is used or the length of time brushing the pet causes the skin to become red and irritated.
Pin brushes are sometimes used to brush in the reverse direction of the growth of the coat. This method is often used on thick coats or pets with longer length to their coat. Brushing is done in an upward motion against the growth of the hair, and then again in a downward motion toward the floor with the growth of the hair. This process can be repeated several times.
Dust Masks
Provides relief from irritating dust and hair, especially during SHED-X Pro treatments. Molded style comes with adjustable soft metal nosepiece and elastic headband. Dust masks can be provided upon request.
Earplugs
Protection from damaging noise levels. They come corded or uncorded. Corded seems to work better for easy removal and reuse throughout the day. Earplugs are provided by upon request.
Force Dryers
High velocity, low heat dryers that remove approximately 90% of excess water and loose hair. Challengair Dryer is one type. MDC Romani Dryers are used by Kennelwood because of the low noise level. Always use ear plugs during this stage of the SHED-X PRO® treatment.
Knots can often be loosened from thick coated pets (Samoyeds, Collies, etc.) by using a force dryer to blow them out. Steady blowing with high pressure can help loosen the knots. Start by aiming the blast of air toward the base of the hair and move the air pressure toward the ends of the hair. Brushing must follow once the knot is loosened.
Conversely, using the force dryer in an improper manner can completely knot up a pet. Blowing a long-haired dog from random directions can create “whip mats” from the hair whipping around. This will create a lot more work for the groomer, so care should be taken to blow the pet out in an ordered and slow manner. Whip mats will look like little stringy mats. You can see them start to form as the hair whips in circular movements, tornado style. To avoid whip mats, turn down air flow or remove the nozzle (less focused air pressure) when drying these areas. As your skill increases, you may also simply increase the distance between the dryer and the pet to prevent the issue. One trick to help judge what distance to hold the blower is to hold the nozzle the same distance away from the pet as the length of the hair.
One final note for using the force dryer is to remove the nozzle and decrease the air flow when you are working from the area of the ears forward. Removing the nozzle decreases the pressure around the pet’s sensitive ears and head. Holding the ear flap closed near the base of the ear will decrease the noise of the blower and the feel of the air moving the ear around for the pet. Holding the base of the ear closed often helps the pet to remain calm while blowing the head dry. Handlers should protect the pet’s private areas from steady air pressure with their hand or decreased air pressure.
Happy Hoodie
Helps to calm anxious pets during grooming. It is especially helpful for pets that react to the noise of the dryer.
Undercoat Rake
Various rakes are used for the coarse, thick, and long coated breeds. These are used for initial brushing and the final brushing.
De-shedding Blade
Gently used to assist with excessive shedding. Often used with short-haired pets.
Stripping Knives
Often used to remove excess hair from a rough or wiry coated dog. Also, can be used on short-haired dogs to remove the fuzzy undercoat. Use in the shoulder area, the upper area of the outer thigh, and the throat area under the neck because these are areas of heavy shedding. When using Stripping Knives under the throat of the dog, angle the pet’s nose gently up to pull the skin taught. This will make brushing easier and more effective.
Shedding Stone
Used to remove hair from the pet. Must be used before the bath, not after.
Coat Rake (Mars Coat King)
Gently used to remove matts and assist with excessive shedding. Often used with long-haired pets.
Safari Deshedder
Similar to the Coat Rake (Mars) except it has closer teeth. Used to remove hair from the pet. Gently use on all coat types but it works well on rough or wiry coat types.