Seasonal undercoat removal in long coat

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

It looks like have yet again lost the genetic doodle lottery in terms of seasonal shedding (Luna shed seasonally as well).  The last few weeks as it's been getting warmer there's been an increase in hair "tumbleweeds" around the house and I've noticed more mats in Riley's hair during her daily brushing.

I spent a good part of my day today attacking Riley's coat with a de-shedding rake and got about a soccer ball sized amount of undercoat.  She feels a lot less "bulky" now but I'm definitely not done yet!  

I initially started using a combination of the pin brush and metal comb:

It worked okay but the comb felt quite inefficient and the pin brush wasn't getting a ton of hair out.

I switched to this style of undercoat rake:

That seemed to work a lot better but I'm not sure it's the right tool... though it does sound like that's what it's supposed to be for.

Any tips?  We have a furminator too though I think it's the kind that's supposed to be for short coated dogs and would damage Riley's hair.

I may just be in need of some technique tips since with Luna I would just brush her hair in short strokes with the grain and that's all that was needed.

Riley's hair is quite long though and the short strokes don't work too well.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yep. 
And for dogs with pollen allergies, it's tough. You have to wipe them down when they come in from outside, bathe them and wash their beds, blankets etc frequently, and limit their time outside during peak allergy season. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Do you have Mane ‘N Tail Detangler spray there? I really like that product. I think Chris Christensen has a product also.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

I've seen a few of their products at wal mart so I checked their website... $42 a bottle, yikes! Chris Christensen one is $100 on Amazon..who would buy it at that price?  The mane n tail might be cheaper in store their website is wacky sometimes.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

NOT worth those prices.  There is something called The Stuff - that I heard people like a few years ago. Maybe it is still around.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

$26 on Amazon, still around!  I'm going to go with the cheapie stuff I found to start with since it has good reviews.  We trimmed Riley this morning so it should be easier to brush her out.  I'll post pics when she is done drying and I fluff her up a bit :p  I don't know if it's the trim or just that she is still wet but she is SO curly right now!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I wonder if I ordered on Amazon Prime and had it sent to your address.......

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

There are always crazy duty fees buying from Amazon.com and sending to Canada.  Thank you for the thought though:)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Sigh!  I thought perhaps if would work......

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Ok I can't get a good picture of her she won't stop moving when she's standing.. but here is a pic from Friday and two from today after her cut.  I basically hacked at her like scissors and then thinning shears like an explorer with a machete in the jungle.  (I used my hand as a length guide).  I still need to tidy up her legs and haunches but it went ok for a first try!

Her coat is so curly and wiry now!  It's crazy how different it is when it's "short" (still about 3" long).  She looks so TALL now too!

Before: "Fat" looking furry bear

After: Skinny bear

(this ear needs a little adjustment at the back)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

She looks GREAT!

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Thanks :) 

I think I need to explore clippers further because scissor cutting was very tedious ( I actually bruised my finger from using the scissors). I'm not sure clippers really go as long as I would want though (3-4"). I do like the more "natural" look of a scissor cut but I could always use thinning shears after clipping.  The new thinning/dematting tool I bought might make things easier too we will see.  I think if I trim more often too it will be easy to keep up with scissor cutting, it was just a really monster initial cut.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Got a pic of her standing finally.  She is so leggy with her short hair :p