What is the best tool to use to pull out puppy coat?

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Harlow hates the comb but she is in that dreaded adult coat transition with all the matting associated with it.  My neighbor loaned me her shedding rake.  Harlow didn't seem to mind it.  She laid there quietly while I got a grocery bag full of fur off of her.  But later I noticed that she had a couple of bare spot where it looked like I pulled out too much fur.

Can folks comment on what tools they use to remove puppy coat please?

[03pilqobzlvp7]

Oh dear. I wouldn't have thought to use that. I have been combing Duff's out, but am really looking forward to the summer cut so it isn't such a pain. He doesn't like to be combed, but he HATES to be brushed, go figure.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Yep, Harlow hates the brush more than she does the comb.

[Susan Crespo]

What does it mean to pull out a puppy's coat? Don't these things just happen naturally?

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

Not for doodles. If you have a non shedder, you have to pull out the puppy coat to get rid of it.

[Donna K & Quincy]

I use a rake for double coated dogs. It gets out lots of fur without pulling it out in clumps. I comb him after the rake to make sure I didn't miss any mats. Quincy is 13 mos and is also at the stage where he gets lots of mats. I groom him with the rake and comb every couple of days and check for mats in between. I also tried a rake with a double row of teeth but that one pulled too much. The name of the rake is Safari. The teeth are about 1/2 in long. I've added a picture of the one I use. Hope this he

lps.

[Cindy]

what about using a slicker brush? Will that work or not?

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

Everything helps. I use a slicker on the tummy sometimes or to start the process, but the tools I mentioned below are the ones I find work the best.

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

The 3 things you need....a steel comb, a Les Poochs brush and patience!

Baby powder helps too. It drys the coat and makes it a bit more slippery. Use a good dematting/anti-static spray after brushing to make it easier the next time.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I have all three of those - thank goodness. Plus a 4th: a 2inch cut during these times certainly makes it managable!

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

Often shedding rakes have blades. These just cut the coat and don't actually pull it out the way it needs to be done.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Thanks Barb. This one indeed did have blades. Maybe that is why Harlow didn't complain. I have the steel comb and the Les Poochs brush. I guess I need to work on the patience part. =o)

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

I comb Simon in layers, making sure to get down to the skin. After I'm done with that, I finish it off with a slicker brush - also brushing him in layers. So far, no mats or tangles, but lots of baby hair.