FURminator Slicker Brush (not the shedding tool)

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Has anyone seen or tried these?  Still looking for an acceptable flexible bent-pin slicker to replace les pooch.

http://www.furminator.com/pet-grooming-products-supplies/dog-groomi...

[Anita - Thunder, Noodle, Sparky]

Which dryer did you end up with?

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Metro Air Force

http://www.amazon.com/Force-Commander-2-Speed-Dryer-Motor/dp/B00063...

[Star and Goldie]

Jay, let me know when you get the mat zapper and how you like it. I'm considering getting that.

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

I will let you know.  I've been getting by with two main weapons:  

A $9 Safari Dematting Comb:

and an $11 Les Pooch knock off from Petsmart:

Also detangling spray (kind of like cowboy magic), a good forced air dryer and occasionally, the thinning shears.  Lola is 11 months old and keeping her free of mats is kind of like painting the Golden Gate Bridge - by the time you get to one end, it's time to start over at the other end.

Although truth be told, I realized today that she is virtually mat-free at the moment.  This regimen may be working better for us than the expensive stuff.

[Anita - Thunder, Noodle, Sparky]

What dryer did you get. I want to get one. I tried a normal blow dryer on my dogs feet (pool+always wet=yeast) and he freaked out on me and all 80 lbs of him were shaking on his dad's lap. I am not sure a different dryer will make a difference. Hoping it will!

[Star and Goldie]

WOW! Glad to see this! Thanks for the link to this discussion, Jay.

It's interesting that they are much cheaper there than anywhere else I've seen them sold. That's a bonus! I wonder how much she has in stock. With Les Pooch production halted, she could really do some serious business!

[Anita - Thunder, Noodle, Sparky]

I got my Furminator firm slicker brush in the mail yesterday. I love it for my curly doodle. I think it was a little too firm on my two softer-coated doodles but boy-oh-boy, the first brushing he has had that hasn't hurt (when he has longer, curly hair). I love that it is like a paddle, it is separated down the middle so it has flexibility and curves with the dog a lot better. One side has straight bristles and one side has curved ones. I have't watched the tutorial yet so I am not sure when to use which side. My son came home last night and loved on him and said he felt like a sheep. Thunder loved our one-on-one time and the treat afterwards!

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Wow, that is a great review.  I think I am going to order it.  As far as the dryer, I have the same issue.  Lola goes in the water, at least up to her "armpits", at least once per day.  I don't blame her because it's hot and she needs to keep cool. But it causes a lot of matting in areas that aren't much fun to deal with if you don't stay on top of it.

I would not use a regular hair dryer.  They say you can burn the dog's sensitive skin because of the heating elements.  Plus, if you are like me and your dog is getting wet before you've had a chance to get all the mats out, it really helps to have the forced air to blow some of that matting out before you start to brush.

I have a metro air force, something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Force-Commander-2-Speed-Dryer-Motor/dp/B00063...

They come in different HP and speed settings.  There is also a little handheld canister one, but it's not very powerful and I've heard mixed reviews.  The one I have is great, especially for the money.

It will probably be a little stressful on the dog at first, because it's loud - but unless the dog is very insecure I am sure they will get used to it if you give them a chance.  Like anything else, just don't reward them for being afraid and do reward the while you are using it so they know they are doing something right.