What's the best way to deal with a dog that sheds way too much hair...?

[Relic]

back story - the Relic family just purchased a new home and we're just about moved in. Even the dog.

The problem is that where before we had light-colored carpeting throughout the house that conveniently camouflaged the fact that my dog sheds like a maniac, (yes we would vacuum it daily regardless) we now have dark hardwood floors throughout most of the house and the amount of dog hair now that we can see it is UNBELIEVABLE. I mean we can completely clean the floors until they're spotless, and literally within a few hours you can see dog hair again wherever you look. It's to the point that my wife is going nuts and wants to give the dog away which I personally find an offensive thought since the dog is part of the family and not a stuffed animal to throw away when it's no longer wanted...
I'm figuring that there must be ways to cut down on the amount of hair that she's shedding?? So, dog owners - what are some of the ways that you control/limit your dog's shedding?

[Jim Nazium]

All I can tell you is I sympathize. I have two cats, and it's amazing how much hair they can shed in just a few days. I have wood floors also, so it's easy to see.

Frequent brushing helps to some extent. If your dog is long-haired, you can give him the "lion cut" for the summer.

[Yerf Dog]

Undercoat rake.

Roomba.

[lunarpollen]

A change of diet might be necessary, to something which will help maintain a healthy coat with less shedding. Innova EVO is really good stuff.

[wabbit]

You could just shave the dog. It would make for interesting conversation when guests come over. Either that or possibly encase it in concrete with holes conveniently located for breathing and defecating and such. As an added bonus, you will always know where the dog is. Exactly where you left it.

I'm always ready to help a fellow TBer with absolutely useless advice. It's one of the many services I provide.

[hoyabill]

try the "furminator" brush...(available online or at most perstores) ...it works great !

[Strat-Mangler]

*This* is what you need. It's a de-shedder. It removes the undercoat hairs while leaving the top coat intact.

We own a white german-shepherd and I know exactly what you mean. Since we've been using this product, the amount of hair has gone down tremendously!

We use one called Sun Paws (which isn't the one I linked to), but I doubt the design changes much from manufacturer to manufacturer. They all look the same to me, anyway.

http://www.asseenontvguys.com/shed-ender.aspx

You brush your dog for possibly 10-20 min per week and expect to see a huge difference. However, expect to brush your dog for an extended period of time the very first time you use the product as you'll remove an insane amount of hair.

It's worth it!

[Strat-Mangler]

FWIW, my g/f & I didn't know about this product until we came to get our GSD back from the mother-in-law (after 1 week) who brushed her everyday with the Sun Paws. She lost so much hair because of this that we initially thought she had lost weight!

Yes, it made that big of a difference. Crazy!

[MakiSupaStar]

Give the dog a suck cut.

[wabbit]

lol .... "It's draining my will to live!!!"

[MatticusMania]

Plastic bubble.

[Pilgrim]

Clippers and Nakey Dog.

Actually, the undercoat brushes sound like a great way to go.

[Brick Top]

My wife and I own a dog grooming facility....and your best option is a shave down. It's not to the skin...like it sounds. Depending on the breed...you can either use a 7 blade(2/64th") or a 10 blade(1/64th"). It doesn't sound like much hair....but it's still got hair. Depending on the type of coat dictates the blade to use.

You can use every de-shedder and brush and rake on the market till your arms fall off...and it's still gonna shed. I'm gonna guess you have a Lab.

Lab owners up here in Northern Michigan have their labs every 3 months...even in the winter. Stops the shedding cold. If the dog gets cold...he comes inside.

If you decide to do it yourself....I suggest a selfserve grooming facility first...so you get to use proper tools. The crap you buy that they call "animal clippers" in the stores will just frustrate you and the dog...put the dog through unneeded pain.

[wabbit]

Originally Posted by Brick Top

....and your best option is a shave down...

I was right about something?

I'm off to the store to buy a lottery ticket. Woot!

[Strat-Mangler]

Wrong : shaving a pet will ruin their beautiful coat. I'd never do that.

GSDs are a short-haired breed. Nevertheless, they shed a *lot.* The de-shedder brush worked wonders.

No need for drastic measures when 20 min of TLC with the brush once or twice a week will do the trick.

[Relic]

I have a Black-Mouthed Curr. She looks almost identical to this:



So she's not a long-haired dog by any stretch but the shedding is insane.

[MatticusMania]

Get one of those devices they use to keep flies out of fast food places. You know, those things that jetblast air to the top of your head upon opening the door? Put one of those over the doggy door.

[Relic]

The quickest and easiest solution may be just to give away the wife and not worry about the dog...hmmm...thinking...

[MakiSupaStar]

My chow/lab mix was like this too. It was only twice a year but it was insane.

[funkydjembe]

Bacon fat should keep the hair in place