Shedding problems

[krink85]

I have a 6yo black lab who sheds a good one. Since moving to AZ it has seemed to get worse. My wife sweeps twice a day with some amazing hair piles at the end of every session. I give him a bath once a month and try to brush him when I can remember. Are there any tricks, tips, or solutions that you all have found to help with this problem? I love my dog as if he were a human child and cant bring myself to shave him (plus a shaved lab would look rather funny). I will go to almost any length, other than shaving, to help with this problem. Thanks.

Pics of my Toby

 

[High Binder]

Re: Shedding problems

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: krink85</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

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Good technique on that rear naked choke! That kid is out and didn't even tap.

 

[Legba]

Re: Shedding problems

Use a vacuum on him if he will let you. Makes things a hell of a lot easier. Took awhile but our lab came around to it. Sounds funny but it works. A lot less hair floating around.

 

[Phylodog]

Re: Shedding problems

Won't stop the shedding but they're pretty effective at controlling it if you use it regularly. Makes pretty quick work of the chore also.
FURminator

 

[ColoWyo]

Re: Shedding problems

Expensive, but it looks like there is another dog in your trash can when you are done using it.

link

It's called the furminator.

 

[Jthoss0837]

Re: Shedding problems

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: krink85</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

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Hand in the pants when you sleep too?

 

[dlc356]

Re: Shedding problems

+1 on the Furminator. We've got one and Willie loves the damn thing. I have to be careful not to get too close to the "Furminator drawer" or I have to use it. He's got a coat a little shorter than a lab but sheds enough in a week or so to make another dog.

We had a Sheltie when I was a kid that got shaved at the beginning of the summer every year. It does look weird but you can tell they feel a lot better. They would stop right behind the ears so it looked almost like she had a lion's mane

 

[oldgrayone]

Re: Shedding problems

We have 2 labs and a english setter and a lot of hair. The wife runs the vacuum every day and we still can't keep up with the hair but the Furminator did make things some what easier

 

[MinorDamage]

Re: Shedding problems

Another vote for the furminator. Also, I buy a shed control shampoo and use it every two weeks. The shine comes right back and the little guy doesn't seem to mind. We have hard wood floors and the difference was night and day with the furminator/shampoo approach.

Josh

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: Shedding problems

Make sure to use a good quality shampoo. Some of the horse shampoo's work real well. Make sure there are no skin conditions or allergies. Use a good conditioner on the skin and get some vitamin E in the capsules and bust them in his food. Also if you don't mind the smell give him some fish. The oils in it are great for the skin and hair.

 

[Alaskaman11]

Re: Shedding problems

I show dogs, and my two lads shed like there is no tomorrow, the Furmiator is the best tool there is. You gotta do it for about a week, but you will lift the dead hair out.

 

[Kells81]

Re: Shedding problems

I just got my little girl a Chaco Lab puppy, 9 weeks old now so shedding is not an issue yet but will pass the Furnimator link on to my wife. We had Labs growing up and there aren't many breeds out there that are as good or better than a lab especially when it comes to children. He would look pretty funny shaved.

 

[BobC]

Re: Shedding problems

We have a Husky/Lab mix that sheds like there is no tomorrow. It is so bad that when we first got her I was ready to take her to the vets because I thought she had mange lol. That FURminator looks like it might help a lot.

 

[Drumie]

Re: Shedding problems

Check some of the groomers around your area. I take our Husky to one that has a Anti-shed bath. They use some type of preasure washer and compressed air to blow a lot of the hair out. It works really well. Only problem is it loosens up a lot of the hair and he sheds even worse for the next day or so. They recomend doing that once a month. The dog seems to love it too.
And a big thumbs up for the furminator also.

 

[flounderv2]

Re: Shedding problems

Go to walmart, They sell a generic furminator called the
Furbuster for something like $20. Exact same thing as the furminator. We use it on my girlfriends husky and it helps. Ultimately, if a dog sheds allot, there's not much you can do other then constantly brushing, bathing, and sweeping.

 

[krink85]

Re: Shedding problems

Thanks for the info. I will go out and get the furminator and some shampoo. I hope this helps but if not then I will live with the hair.

 

[KHOOKS]

Re: Shedding problems

If he likes to ride and you have a pickup just load him up after work for a few mile ride. It will not stop the shedding but will blow some of the hair out of his coat.

 

[fx77]

Re: Shedding problems

Get a Labradoodle
No shedding at all

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: Shedding problems

Shedding is probably the heat and dry skin - throw a bit of grease on his kibbles once in a while...add some doggie Omega 3/6/9 fatty acids (They make em)...

 

[Switchblade]

Re: Shedding problems

We got a short hair breed so now we find short hair all over the place

 

[krink85]

Re: Shedding problems

I went out to Wal Mart and got the generic brand of the furminator. It pulled a lot of hair off! I also got the shampoo and his coat has not felt this soft in a long time. I will see how well it works over the next week. I am moving at the end of the week as well so hopefully I have it under control by then.

 

[Witch_Doctor]

Re: Shedding problems

When you bathe him use a good shampoo, and one of these

It will take the shedding down.

 

[Bryan27]

Re: Shedding problems

I give my dog a bath about once a week to keep the loose hair from getting all over the place. I went to tractor supply and picked up a big bottle of "Mane and Tail" horse shampoo and a horse brush, I think it's called a curry comb, but it's just a rubber comb that fits in the palm of your hand with a jagged edge all around it. Shampoo the dog up and scrub him down with the comb and it seems to get all the loose hair out for a week or so. The tub looks like I shaved him after his bath. The vet told me to use Head 'N Shoulders on him when I first got him to help sooth his skin when he had the mange, I still use it on him sometimes since it seems to keep him from smelling like a dog for longer than the other soaps I've tried on him.