How often should I brush Van Gogh? I just recently picked this up;

FURminator deShedding Tool for Large Dogs - FURminator Deshedding Tool and Large FURminator from petco.com

I'm trying to see if brushing him with this every day will harm his skin / coat?

What else should I use, and he doesnt have any tangles, and or knots - let me know the correct way to groom him.

Thanks,
Joseph

I have to admit, when I read the title of this thread the answer that immediately came into my mind was "don't get a golden!" But seriously, Furminators (and other tools like it) cut the guard hairs on the dog, which aren't usually the culprit with shedding. They also can scratch the skin if used too aggressively....I would return it. The guard hairs are the ones you want to keep, not get rid of. The undercoat is usually the issue when a dog is shedding a lot (unless there is an underlying health issues). I use a wide toothed metal comb or an undercoat rake on our dogs and it's pretty effective. Also weekly bathing and blowdrying with a forced air dryer will help get rid of loose undercoat.

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Well I've not given Van Gogh a bath for nearly 5 or 6 weeks, beleive it or not, hes VERY clean.

I just brought him to Petco and paid 64.99 to give him a "bath & extras "
Yes that was the last time my wife was allowed to use the credit card too.... I just purchased all new supplis from IODOGS.com where can I get the blow dryer you spoke of?

A rake like this one is what I was talking about: Heavy Duty Rake w/ Wood Handle (Coarse)

As for the dryer, I have this one: Chris Christensen Kool Dry Dog Dryer It is a bit expensive, but if you think about how much you will spend on grooming him monthly at Petco for $65 a pop, you can use this yourself and buy it once. There are less expensive (and more expensive) options for dryers (if you search dryers on that site you will see the options) but I love this one and many golden people I know use this one. I have also heard good things about the Double K Challengair...which I think is on that site as well.

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I second the recommendation for the undercoat rake. I've used a furminator in the past, worked great on my cat & left my golden looking like she had split ends.

Be very careful with the furminator. When I was grooming, we had to watch the skin like a hawk. The furminator tends to irritate the skin.

I would second the forced air dryer. We'd get huskies in and blow their coat prior to bathing and again after bathing and it worked much faster and more efficiently then the furminator.

When you use the forced air dryer, keep the nozzle about 18-24 in away from the dog. The closer you get, the faster you'll get tangles with long hair.


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Where can I buy a forced air dryer? I have a vac like this at home, one side sucks, the other side blows; for the time being until I can order one would this work?
http://www.autogeek.net/vacnbloporva.html

whats the difference from say, the one on Petco http://www.petco.com/product/115713/...er=51515394475


Or would you recomend something else?

Look at the link I posted above. They have a good selection of forced air dryers in all price points.

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Thank you so very much, I'll buy the heavy rake this evening.

I need to convince the wife to allow me to buy the dryer, whats the difference from using this dryer then say a regular hair dryer.

Weekly bathing and blow drying until 100% dry with a forced air dryer!!! It gets the dead hair out really well. I have the Double K Challengeair.


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