Sometimes it’s a good thing to brush up on basics. Maybe a fundamental grooming skill that you were never taught or one you were taught but sort of forgot about. Sometimes it is something you know about, but it is so ingrained that you do it without thinking, so you can’t teach someone else about it. In this case, the topic is about letting the force of water and air help you create the look you desire when grooming pets.
It is an embarrassing fact that I had no idea of this truth during the early years of my grooming career, but the DIRECTION you use the flow of water when bathing and air when drying dramatically affects the finished product you achieve when grooming. I used to scrub the coat in any direction and then would blast the fur every which way with the dryer. I would then wonder why the dog’s fur would not lay in the direction I wanted it to. It was a “eureka” moment when I realized that if I directed the water flow of the bath and airflow flow of the dryer in the direction I wanted the coat to lay when it was finished, I would achieve far better results.
- On Long-haired, drop-coated dogs such as Lhasa Apso’s, Maltese, and Yorkshire Terriers direct the flow of water down the dog’s sides. If bathing by hand, gently work water and shampoo through the coat in the direction it naturally lays. If using a bathing system, direct the flow of water and shampoo with the proper lay of the coat. After towel drying, gently brush the coat until it lies properly, and then fluff dry, using the brush to dry the coat in the desired direction.
- If you use a high-velocity dryer on drop coats, let the power of airflow dry the fur so it will lay properly. Flat dryer nozzles are great for this.
- On dogs with off-standing coats, such as Poodles and Bichon Frise, it is OK to bathe and dry the coat against the grain, as the desired end result is that the coat stands up and away from the body.
- On many sporting breeds (such as spaniels and setters) as well as some wire-coated breeds (such as West Highland White terriers,) where you want the back coat to lay flat, but the leg furnishings to stand away from the body, you can use a combination of techniques, washing and drying with the lay of the coat where you want it to be flat, and against the lay of the coat where you want a fuller look.
- Smooth-coated dogs such as Doberman Pinchers and Pugs will have a smoother, shinier finished look if you work with the lay of the coat as you work, though the results are not as dramatic as with the long-coated breeds.
Allowing the flow of air and water while you are doing the prep work on pets to work in your favor will help you achieve more pleasing results on the pets you groom.
By Daryl Conner, MPS, MCG
Daryl Conner has been devoted to making dogs and cats more comfortable and beautiful for almost 40 years. You can find her happily working at FairWinds Grooming Studio with her daughter and infant granddaughter, or typing away at her latest grooming-related article. Daryl was awarded both a Cardinal Crystal Award and Barkleigh Honors Award for journalism. She shares her meadow-hugged antique Maine farmhouse with her practically perfect husband and too many animals.
