Shedding Season and Double-Coated Dogs: What Actually Helps

If you live with a husky, a Great Pyrenees or a golden retriever, you already know the sight: tufts of fur drifting across the floor, a vacuum that never gets a day off, and a dog who seems to have an endless supply of undercoat. It's normal for these breeds. It's also something a groomer can really help with.

What a double coat is

A double-coated dog has two layers: a soft, dense undercoat close to the skin and a longer, coarser outer coat on top. Many double-coated dogs shed hard a couple of times a year, often as the seasons change, and shed a little all the time in between. That heavy shed is the undercoat letting go in bunches. Brushing it out before it ends up on your sofa is the whole game.

Eric Morgan brought in a great pyr mix who had never been groomed. He told Google reviewers the nails were trimmed and the "under coat blown out, trimmed." It's a good picture of what a thorough visit does for a thick-coated dog.

What a Shed Control Treatment does

Shed Control is an add-on, and it works alongside a Full-Service Bath, Bath Plus+ or Full Groom. In the studio, here's what it involves:

• A special shampoo
• Water massage and brushing in the bath, which helps loosen the undercoat while it is wet
• A deep-conditioning conditioner
• Spray-in conditioner while the coat is being dried
• Extra brushing and raking to pull out the loose undercoat

The price depends on size: +$20 for small and medium dogs, +$25 for large dogs and +$35 for extra-large and giant dogs. We recommend it for double-coated breeds, and a Bath Plus+ is a natural pairing, since it already includes 10-15 minutes of brushing, a nail trim and file, ear cleaning, pad hair trim and a face and natural ear trim.

One Google reviewer, Nae B, wrote: "we've noticed a huge improvement in her shedding since she started coming here." She added that her dog gets the deshedding treatment and a nail trim. Results vary from dog to dog and coat to coat.

What you can do at home

• Brush a few times a week during heavy shedding. A little every day beats a long session once a month.
• Use the right tool. An undercoat rake or a slicker brush reaches the soft layer, and a plain bristle brush often only smooths the outer coat.
• Brush to the skin in sections, not just the top. Part the coat and work in layers.
• Brush before the bath, not after. Wet, tangled fur holds on tighter.
• Dry the coat fully. A damp undercoat can stay packed down and smell.
• Ask your groomer before going very short. On a double coat the layers work together, and a close cut can change how the coat grows back.

A regular brush-out has a side benefit. You get a close look at the coat, so you'll spot burrs, tangles and bumps early. It also gets your dog used to being handled, which makes the grooming table a calmer place for everyone. Keep sessions short and friendly, and finish with a treat.

If your dog is losing fur in patches, scratching a lot or has red or flaky skin, that's a vet conversation, not a grooming one. We're glad to flag what we see, but we can't diagnose it.

How often to book

Our general guidance for all breeds is every 4-8 weeks, depending on breed, hair type and length. During a heavy shed, many double-coated owners lean toward the shorter end of that range, then ease off when the coat settles. Dogs that go more than 8 weeks between visits carry extra charges, because a packed undercoat takes a lot more time to work out.

Feather trimming on double-coated dogs may cost extra, and matting or extra brushing is charged separately. If your dog has a long, feathery coat, tell us when you book.

Skin and coat treatments are separate

Shed Control is about the undercoat. If your dog also has dry, itchy or flaky skin or a dull coat, we offer a Healthy Skin & Coat Treatment with a premium skin-soothing shampoo, water massage and a mineral conditioning "Mud Bath." It's the same price tiers as Shed Control. Ask your vet first if the skin looks red or sore. Bathing at home too often can also dry the skin out, so check with your groomer or vet about how often is right for your dog.

Add Shed Control to a Bath Plus+ or a Full Groom. Details are at /services/bath-plus and /services/spa-add-ons, and you can call Bark Me Beautiful at 303-776-0332 to book.