It is always interesting to talk to exhibitors and find out their problems and the things they avoid doing. Blow drying seems to be a big avoidance and if it is done it is usually minimal. It can and ought to be easy.
The main negative for those with long flowing coated dogs is the tangles they can get into. Some breeds have massive length on their coats and the question is how to tackle this with less fuss.
Understand that the blow dryer has to blow in the direction that the coat grows – in other words, away from the skin so the dryer has to be pointed away from the skin towards the end tips of the coat. It’s the same with people’s hair. Blow it in the correct direction and reduced fuzz and tangles.
You can use a stationary dryer on a stand or one with a hose and nozzle style dryer. You can adjust the speeds and heat for the coat that you are drying. Each dryer type has their own benefits and uses vary with different coat types and lengths. Some prefer a combination of both dryer types on their breed,
Many groomers like to sit in front of the dog and with the air from their stand dryer coming over the back of the dog towards them. They then brush the coat towards their body using various mixes of styling products to ease the brush through the various textures of coat.
Other prefer to stand and hold the dryer nozzle in one hand and brush with the other away from their body.
Best to use your fingers for the first part of the drying whilst it is really wet. Once the coat starts to dry a bit then revert to using an appropriate brush for the coat that you are working on. For the longer coats start with a pin brush. The very best is the Plush Puppy Ultimate Pin Brush. The reason to start with a pin brush is reducing the drag and stretching of a wet coat that causes damage. After 75% dry change to a bristle type brush such as a porcupine oval cushion brush.
For the softer single coats use a pure bristle brush. Plush Puppy has these two brushes available, the Plush Puppy Ultimate Anti-Static Porcupine Brush which is a 1/2 pure boar bristle and 1/2 dialon pin cushion and the Plush Puppy Ultimate Pure Bristle Brush. Some people prefer only using a pin brush, this all depends on the coat type for this use Plush Puppy Ultimate Pin Brush. There are breeds that a slicker brush achieves the best results. For these coats use the Puppy Ultimate Slicker Brush, this is the Rolls Royce of slickers. These are all exclusively designed and made for Plush Puppy.
Best to mix your styling products with water at the strength that will suit the various coats. Some coats can use products stronger, but the infinite variety of the coats necessitates are tailored to the individual to get the best from all of them. Plush Puppy makes various sized Plush Puppy Spray Bottle that have graduated marked levels on the side. This aids to make the correct mixture that is best suited to each dog and coat stage.
For tangle free coats use a variety of things but mostly one of 3. For the lighter less likely to tangle coats I use Plush Puppy Reviva Coat plus water at a rate of 1 golf ball sized to 1 cup/250ml water. For coats that require more and where I want it to hang flatter I use Plush Puppy Blow Dry Cream at 1 tablespoon dilution at the same rate and for the coats where I want more lift and volume use Plush Puppy Volumising Cream and water again at the same dilution rate.
If you want to achieve a straighter coat, you can combine Plush Puppy Swishy Coat and Plush Puppy Blow Dry Cream – a tablespoon of each to 1 cup/250ml water. Make it warm water for easy dissolving. The Swishy Coat is a wonderful product and though it does contain silicone it is a totally water soluble one and therefore will not attract dirt and dust nor build up on the coat.
You can break down/dilute these products as much or as little as your dog’s coat requires. These are a guide line only, however they serve to satisfy the requirements of the majority of coats that need help.
One of the latest revolutionary products in the range is Plush Puppy FAST, recommended to drastically reduce drying time by up to 50%. Infused with natural oils from the Illawarra Flame Tree Flower to protect against heat while enhancing shine in the coat. Containing an ingredient that offers a light hold FAST will boost fullness and maintain smoothness in the coat. FAST is truly revolutionary and is suitable for use on 99% of all coats, the 1% being very soft, fragile coats where this product is still extremely effective but should be diluted by 20%. Fast often can replace both Blow Dry Cream and Swishy Coat however I do know some that still prefer Blow Dry Cream and Swishy Coat. Apply to a towel dried coat, gently brush through and allow the product to break the surface tension of the water and protect the coat and dry as normal.
Then there is Plush Puppy O.M.G this is a multi-purpose grooming spray, wow, what a product for every coat. OMG is available in concentrate and a ready to use formula. To be used whenever grooming a dry coat, O.M.G. detangles while eliminating static electricity and leaves the coat looking as healthy as it feels. A light spray on a towel dried coat and /or reapply during the drying process. Best used at a dilution rate of between 20-40 parts water to 1 part OMG. The higher the dilution the lighter effects on the coat.
The products Plush Puppy have developed and formulated out of direct need. We show dogs just like you and our quest is to find newer and better ways of achieving a higher level of presentation whilst combining the very latest of technology. By using specific products to assist you in better drying dogs improves the coat and results in appearance. All dogs need attention to coat and being able to achieve what you want the coat to do makes that time in grooming worthwhile.
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