shedding

[ownerof3dogs]

I have a german shephard/akita mix 120lbs. her name is Felice. i love her to death but she sheds like crazy it never stops i could brush her for hours and hair woulds still come out. Anyway has anyone here used Shed Stop or any other products like it? if so does it work?

[carrie]

Hi,
It is natural for your dog to shed but this can be reduced by grooming. The trick is to comb and then brush on a daily basis. I love this time with my dog and so does he. Teach him the command round to do each side and ask him to sit so you can reach his chest area. Start at the head, work down the back and then do each side, head to tail. I always do an all over comb and then an all over brush in that order finishing with the chest and tail. It takes around ten minutes a day once the initial week or two of snow storms!

[ownerof3dogs]

thanks for your advice but I do brush her everyday I even use the shedding tool. I was wandering if the shed reducer produces acually work

[carrie]

I have to admit that I don't know as I've never used one. Combing daily every dog I've had is always enough to reduce noticeable shedding. Using the comb to the best effect is important though, lay it flat against the dogs coat and work it through at no more than a 45% angle. Done regularly and properly you will have no need to resort to anti shed preparations. If it is still a problem you may find the dog is lacking in all round nutrition, excersise or mental stimulation. If I sounded harsh I didn't mean to, honest! Quick fixes for dogs are just that - you are treating the symptom rather than the cause. Even if anti shedding stuff works you are non the wiser why. If nothing else the satisfaction of a "sorted myself" method is worth more than the money spent on "Sorted by someone else for reasons I don't understand. What is in this stuff anyway?"
I have tried to look at these products, sprays, water additives and food supplements with a view to help owners and really quite serious problems with shedding (their dogs had the shedding problem, not the owners,usually!). I have never used one as there is always an answer.
For these products to work they have to do one of three things; give the dog the supplements that his diet is lacking
stop or inhibit natural and healthy hair loss
make shed hair less noticeable to the owner by colour or disintergration

[carrie]

Just reread my last post, still sound like a complete cow, don't I?
One more thought though, your anti shedding tool may be part of the problem. Is it a rake type, scraper or stripper?

[ownerof3dogs]

it is the shedding blade

[karen israel]

I brush Cody every day. I use a flea comb first to loosen hair, then a brush. We have red rugs in the living/dining room, have installed a 62' gate, but he's clever enough to go around the house to go in and scratch or lay. Beige rugs in den, steps, big deal! I no longer have a vacuum attached to my hip. I've gotten to accept beautiful golden hair complimenting my black slacks no matter what I do to prevent it. I gave up making excuses to visitors, it'll never go away, the house is ok clean and if that's the worse thing Cody can do to our house, shed away! Carrie...YOU a cow??? NEVER!

[karen israel]

Ps.. I could've made about 10 dog hair sweaters by now!

[teena]

Karen:

I agree! My motto about not being completed dressed unless I'm covered with dog hair was so true today! Wore long black skirt to work, and when I got out of the car this morning, looked like I was wearing angora!

[carrie]

Mooooo! - I mean there was a very sweet lady who we used to collect all our groomed out Retriever hair for so she could spin it, knit and sell sweaters on behalf of Guide Dogs! It can be done so get those fingers busy Karen and I bet your Mum can't guess what she's getting for Christmas!

[lhg0962]

I learned that a useful purpose for all that dog hair is to prevent slugs!! My problem is that my dogs want to pick the hair up and carry it around!!! My mom uses it around her hostas and other plants and the slugs die when they go through it.

[carrie]

Brilliant tip, Logan. My Hostas were totally nuked by snails and slugs this year! I've never heard of that one before but I'm going to try it out next spring!

[shais_mom]

My greyhound sheds also, and I have her on Linatone now. What worked for me at first was Drs foster and smith "VitaCoat Plus" It is awesome!!! I just read in a home remedy book to give Vit E, so Shaianne has started getting Vit E in her food, we shall see!!

[samualjcat]

My shepherd/husky sheds year round. But in the spring she sheds puppies!!! I've given up trying to stop it. Instead, for weeks on end we spend quality time together in the yard brushing and brushing and brushing. For her thick coat I have found a horse's curry comb is best. Every morning the hair is gone. I can only assume that every bird in the county has a fur lined nest!

Good luck!

[Sudilar]

I know what you mean about the bird nests. It's so funny to see the remains of bird nests in our bare trees all containing GSD hair! What an insulator.