Grooming Guide: Dogs with Double Coats

There is a wide variety of dog breeds with double coats, including retrievers, terriers, and herding breeds. It’s very important to understand how to properly care for your dog’s double coat year-round to keep it healthy and happy. We want to help you better understand the grooming needs of dogs with double coats. 

What is a double coat? 

A double coat on a dog is two layers of fur: an undercoat and an outer coat. The undercoat is soft, short, and dense. It keeps your dog safe from both hot and cold weather. The outer coat keeps out dirt and moisture, so it is a lot more tough and protected. These two layers work together to keep your dog warm and cozy in the colder temperatures and cool and comfortable in the warmer weather. Dogs with double coats typically shed twice per year as the seasons change.

Why does my dog have a double coat?

Dog breeds with double coats originated from colder climates. Common breeds include Shiba Inu, Siberian Husky, Australian Shepherd, Newfoundland, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and many others. These breeds have thick, fluffy coats that are very obviously double coats. There are several smaller breeds, like Havanese, Pomeranians, and other terriers, that also have double coats but aren’t as well identified as they have a more wiry top coat. 

PRO TIP: The fluffier your dog is on the outside, the more dense their undercoat may be. More grooming is suggested to prevent mats and tangles from forming. 

Benefits of Grooming Double Coats

If you keep up with regular grooming of your double-coated dog, you will have a very happy and healthy dog! It’s obvious that a dog with this type of coat will shed far more than dogs with a single coat. Brushing your double-coated dog at least twice weekly is a good routine, but regular professional grooming is highly recommended. There are many benefits to a properly groomed and maintained undercoat, such as:

• Ability to repel moisture and keep your dog dry

• Releasing body heat to reduce overheating

• Allowing the shed fur to fall from the body and reduce warmth in the dog’s body temperature

• Reducing risks of bugs and outdoor germ infestation

How to Maintain a Double Coat

We recommend regular visits to the grooming salon for dogs with double coats. These grooms should be regular, about every six to eight weeks. 

Outside of the grooming salon, you will need to maintain good home grooming to prevent mats and tangles. Between grooming visits, a slicker brush is a good tool to remove dead hair and loosen any tangles from the undercoat. It’s always best to follow up with a metal comb to check for any missed tangles, and this will also pull any extra undercoat. Undercoat rakes can also be used once the coat is tangle-free but should be used in moderation as overuse can damage or even cut the top coat. Once the dog has a mat-free coat, you can use a bristle brush to give your dog’s coat a healthy shine. 

Bathing Your Double-Coated Dog

While brushing is the best place to start before grooming your double-coated dog, baths are still absolutely necessary regularly (every eight to twelve weeks). You may want to increase the frequency of baths during the warmer months when your dog is shedding the most.

Baths in warm water with dog shampoo will keep your dog’s coat healthy. Once your dog is washed and rinsed, we recommend using a blow dryer to help your dog’s coat feel softer. Compared to just a towel dry, it helps prevent the growth of mold or bacteria in the coat and against their skin. 

De-Shedding Treatments Can Help 

We’ve said it already: dogs with double coats shed A LOT! This is especially true during the changing seasons. We use a special tool as part of de-shed treatments to remove as much loose fur as possible. We do this to help your dog avoid mats and tangles and to help you reduce the amount of hair that the dog sheds in the house. (Trust us—we know your vacuum gets a workout!)

Don’t Shave Your Dog with a Double Coat

We do not recommend shaving your dog’s double coat, even to keep them cool in the warmer weather. It’s tempting, but it’s unnecessary and unhealthy for your dog’s coat. It can cause long-term damage to the dog’s hair growth. We understand that double coats are different and require special care. Still, regular maintenance, like bathing and brushing, is the best way to keep your dog happy and cool during warmer temperatures. 

How to Avoid Matting and Impacted Shedding

Many double-coated dog owners do not understand the difference between matting and impacted shed coats. Matting refers to tangled clumps in your dog’s coat. Dirt, sticky substances, or a lack of brushing and bathing typically cause these mats. Mats can be avoided by frequently brushing your dog’s fur. Impacted shedding is as it sounds. It’s caused when a dog is unable to shed its undercoat and it becomes impacted or tangled into the topcoat. This can cause matting. We recommend regular de-shed treatments to prevent this from happening, but in some severe cases, these mats do need to be shaved out. 

Even with the best grooming, some treatments are too late to help fix severe matting. The only option may be to shave the coat and start fresh if the matting is too far gone. This type of decision to care for severe matting is not taken lightly, as we want to avoid any unnecessary stress in your dog’s grooming experience. Your dog’s health and happiness is our number one priority. 

Grooming Your Dog With a Double Coat

Caring for your dog with a double coat can be a lot of work. Maintaining their basic hygiene and keeping up with their shedding can oftentimes feel like a part-time job. When you’re ready to turn to the grooming professionals, we are ready to step in and make your dog feel healthy and happy at Shear Standards of Grooming. 

Top 10 Tips to Prepare Your Puppy for Professional Grooming

It is an exciting experience filled with joy as you welcome a puppy! As you anticipate life as a puppy parent, it's vitally important to consider every aspect of your new furry friend's overall health and care. This includes preparing your puppy for its inaugural visit to the grooming salon!

Beyond the aesthetic benefits of having a well-groomed puppy, our professionals at Shear Standards of Grooming understand the initial experience at the grooming salon sets the tone for a lifetime of grooming experiences. It's crucial to foster good behavior and set reasonable expectations for your puppy's health and happiness. We have just the advice you need to lay the groundwork for a stress-free and enjoyable professional grooming experience for your puppy.

Why Get Your Puppy Professionally Groomed?

Professional groomers are trained to detect early health issues in puppies, including skin and ear infections. Regular grooming appointments prevent the build-up of mats and tangles in your puppy's fur and allow for thorough inspections, helping to ensure your puppy's overall health is maintained. Proper coat care is very important to each dog breed. Professional groomers are knowledgeable about the needs of each breed and provide appropriate grooming techniques for your puppy's coat type, including trimming, brushing, and de-shedding. Professional grooming is an important aspect of pet care.

When Should I Get My Puppy Groomed for the First Time?

Most puppies typically have their first grooming appointment between 8 and 12 weeks old. This is after their necessary vaccinations have been completed. We always explain to our clients that your puppy's coat type and length are a large determining factor of when a puppy should need their first groom. Some breeds need more frequent grooming than others, especially those with more dense and longer coats. If your puppy's coat looks unkempt and may need maintenance, it's time to bring your puppy in for its first grooming appointment.

When you’re thinking about scheduling your puppy’s first grooming appointment, we encourage you to schedule it sooner than you think! Grooming is something your puppy will experience through its entire life again and again. We want to show them it’s nothing to be scared of and that it is a positive experience for them. Getting your puppy groomed early in life allows them to form trust with their groomer and build a strong bond. Our professionals at Shear Standards of Grooming recommend that puppies come in more often at first to establish the routine and help your puppy build confidence.

If you’re unsure when you should come in, consider scheduling an “Introduction to Grooming” appointment. This service involves our professional groomer giving your puppy a bath, brushing it out, and cleaning it up - without a full haircut. From there, your groomer can provide personalized advice based on your puppy's breed, coat type, and individual requirements. That’s the Shear Standard. 

How Much Does It Cost to Get Your Puppy Groomed? 

When it comes to your puppy’s groom, as you can expect, the cost varies. Typically, the costs for puppies to get groomed are lower when they are babies because they are smaller and the coat is easier to care for. 

As your puppy grows, its grooming needs will change. You can expect the price to increase as your puppy grows to full size and their adult coat comes in. Many breeds require more grooming maintenance, which will also result in higher grooming costs. No dog is the same, so discussing pricing with our grooming professionals is best. 

What Should I Expect at My Puppy’s First Grooming?

It’s likely that your puppy will be nervous at its first grooming appointment. It’s also likely that it may be excited to meet new people. It’s possible that it may act like it’s done it 1,000 times! All of these reactions are perfectly normal for a puppy’s first groom. We’ve seen it all!

The best thing you can do is to come to your appointment confident that your puppy is in good hands. Your groomer will talk you through the whole process and discuss your puppy’s grooming goals with you. They will create a custom grooming plan for that specific appointment. During the appointment, they will expose them to all of the sounds and sensations in the grooming salon while providing reassurance and staying focused on building trust with your puppy. 

Your groomer will work them through any insecurities throughout the appointment with extreme patience. Please expect your puppy to look different. This can be a big change for some people. Oftentimes, puppies will change colors after their first haircut. Their puppy hairs are trimmed, and the coat underneath is more easily seen. Don’t worry - this is all totally normal. 

After the appointment, you will receive a phone call when your puppy is ready to be picked up. You will be given a full report of where your puppy excelled during the appointment and where it was unsure. There may even be homework for you to practice with your puppy between appointments! 

How to Prepare Your Puppy for a Professional Grooming

The goal is to start grooming your puppy at an early age to establish a positive grooming routine and ensure they age accustomed to regular grooming sessions. Here are the top ten tips from our team of professionals to help you get your puppy ready for its first grooming appointment. 

Test Textures and Vibrations at Home

We always suggest that you introduce your puppy to different textures and sensations by gently touching and stroking their body. Use a variety of surfaces, such as soft fabrics, a spoon, or your hands, to simulate the sensations they will experience during grooming. Another suggestion is to re-create the vibration feelings with an electric toothbrush, back massager on low, or clippers without blades. 

Practice Touching Its Face, Ears, and Paws

It’s important to start handling your puppy's paws and gently touching their face from a young age. Touching and playing with your puppy’s ears so they are used to the touch and feeling is very important to prepare for professional ear cleaning. If you incorporate this into your regular bonding and handling sessions, it makes it a natural part of their routine. Consistency and patience are key to helping your puppy adjust to grooming.

Brush Regularly

Begin with short, gentle brushing sessions to gradually build up their tolerance. Approach brushing sessions with patience and a calm demeanor. If your puppy becomes anxious or resistant, take a break and try again later. This is a common part of grooming and is very important to get your puppy comfortable with. Keep in mind that various coats require a variety of brushes. Please consult with us regarding the best tool for your specific pet. 

Safely Test Noises

As you can expect, it’s common that there will be loud noises, like dryers and clippers. Puppies have sensitive hearing and can easily become frightened or stressed by loud or sudden noises, which may have the opposite effect of what you intend. We recommend that you introduce puppies to grooming-related sounds gradually and at a low volume. Start with quieter sounds, such as a vacuum running in the next room. It’s a good idea to reward your puppy with treats or positive reinforcement when the puppy is calm and ignoring the sounds. You can gradually move the noise closer until the noise originates in the same room as the puppy, and they have little to no reaction.

Encourage Good Dental Hygiene

To help your puppy keep its teeth healthy, you can give it the appropriate chews (no rawhides or hard bones!). This keeps its teeth strong and reduces tartar buildup. You can also practice brushing its teeth regularly. Additionally, you can opt for a water additive to help with tartar buildup and plan for regular dental cleanings with your veterinarian.

Desensitize Your Puppy with Nail Trimming Tools

We encourage you to introduce your puppy to nail-trimming tools, such as clippers or a grinder. Start by letting them sniff and inspect the tools, then gradually introduce them to their paws and nails for short periods of time. You do not need to do this at home yourself if you do not own or are uncomfortable with the tools. Our groomers will work with your puppy to get them comfortable during the grooming process.

Car Rides To and From the Groomer

Some puppies quickly learn that car rides are fun, and some find them terrifying. It’s unlikely that you live close enough to the grooming salon to walk. It is natural to practice taking your pet to/from the groomer—even without an appointment. If this doesn’t work for your schedule, consider taking your puppy on short car rides around the block! The more exposure to car rides not related to going to the groomer or vet, the better! This leads to a positive experience for your puppy.  This is also a good opportunity to learn if your puppy has any sort of car sickness or travel anxiety. 

If your puppy is especially anxious, it’s crucial that you remain calm and reassure it with positive reinforcement tools like a happy voice, treats, and lots of pets.

Give Your Puppy Extra Exercise Before the Visit

Reducing a puppy's energy level before coming to the grooming salon can help them feel more calm and relaxed during their grooming session. This includes both mental and physical exercise! A brisk walk, play session, or interactive game of fetch can help burn off excess energy and promote relaxation during the visit. Mentally stimulating your puppy, like training sessions, puzzle toys, or interactive games, can also help tire your puppy out and calm their mind before their visit.

Utilize Training Commands

Teaching your puppy basic obedience commands, like “sit,” “stay,” “down,” “come,” and “wait,” is incredibly valuable inside and outside of the grooming salon! For example, use the command "stay" while gently holding your puppy's paw, then reward them with treats and praise for staying calm and still. By utilizing training commands effectively, you can help your puppy feel more confident, cooperative, and comfortable during grooming salon visits! 

Get Comfortable with Your Routine

Consistency in daily activities can help reduce stress and anxiety for your puppy. We encourage you to stick to a regular routine leading up to the grooming appointment to help your puppy feel more secure and comfortable when leaving the house and heading to the salon. 

PRO TIP: If kenneling is part of your routine at home, this will be helpful for your puppy’s visit to the groomer. While your puppy isn’t kenneled for a long period of time, it is helpful to make sure they are comfortable being crated and alone. This is also helpful for visits to the vet. If it’s not currently part of your routine, just practice!

Plan Ahead for Your Puppy’s Professional Dog Groom

By planning ahead and introducing your puppy to positive grooming experiences early on, you have set yourself up for success as you venture into its lifetime of grooming. The time you take to start grooming routines at home, introduce your puppy to grooming tools and procedures, and help them feel that the grooming salon is a positive environment can make all the difference in your puppy's long-term happiness and good health. We encourage all pet owners, especially puppy owners, to maintain open communication with your groomer and schedule regular appointments to keep your puppy looking and feeling their best. With patience, consistency, and a little preparation, you can set your furry friend up for success and make their grooming salon visits enjoyable for both of you. 

Appointment Cancellations & No Show Policies

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPOINTMENT CANCELLATIONS & NO SHOWS
We want to give you a friendly reminder that we do have a cancellation and no-show policy in place. Unfortunately, due to an increase in these occurrences, we will be strictly enforcing this policy. 

Repeat offenses will result in being required to prepay for future appointments (where  the payment is non-refundable) or in being declined our future services. Canceling last minute or not showing up for your appointment not only affects your groomer, but also other clients who are patiently waiting to get in.

We understand it is winter, so cancellations as a result of bad weather will be exempt from the policy. We want you be safe, too.

​Thank you for your continued support of our small business. We look forward to seeing you and our furry friends soon! 

Pick Ups & Drop Offs

As a reminder, we are an in-and-out grooming shop that cannot board animals before or after appointments.

We ask that our clients drop off their animals for grooming services at their scheduled appointment time and plan to return promptly upon completion of their services. When your animal's services are complete, you will receive a phone call from your groomer and it is very important to pick up your animal within 30 minutes. We do not have the kennel space to accommodate animals and we have found that this is much less stressful for our furry clients. 

Animals who are not picked up within 30 minutes of the conclusion of the appointment or after-hours may be subject to an additional fee.

We appreciate your understanding. Thank you for helping us keep your animals happy! 

Yep. Anal glands.

This is a wonderful video on anal gland care for your pets. Many clients ask us about having their pets’ glands expressed. Unless there is an issue, there is no need to express them. If you pet is having issues, we highly encourage you to see a vet. We want to keep all your pets happy and healthy.