The Best Tools to Get Rid of Hair on a Wet Dog

Getting rid of hair on your dog is part of the grooming process. A long-haired dog may get tangles and matted hair if you don't attend to it. You also want to help get rid of excess hair as summer approaches and the dog begins to shed all over your home. For greater ease with the process, turn getting rid of unwanted hair on your dog into a playtime activity for your pet.

  1. Shampoo

    • Shampooing your dog when it's wet helps remove hair. Shampoo cleans the hair and skin of the animal while working to untangle knots and matted hair. Shampoo for people works for dogs too, but it may contain fragrances and chemicals that your dog finds irritating. Dog formulated shampoos work best. Scrubbing your dog with a wet towel around the head keeps shampoo from getting in the eyes. Bathing or wetting your dog with a long-hosed shower head or a spray bottle also helps keep the eyes free of shampoo.

    Brushes

    • Brushes help keep knots and tangles out of your pet's fur and prevent a matted knot. Although dogs shed naturally, brushing is still necessary. Plus, it feels good for the pet. Brushing your pet after a bath and while the hair is wet or moist makes it easier to remove hair and break knots. Brushes for human hair may work, but because dog's fur is so thick it's best to get a dog brush. They can be metal or plastic and are made for short, medium length, and long haired dogs. There are also dematting combs specifically made for dogs.

    Scissors

    • For gnarly knots and tangles and excessively long hair, scissors are essential. They quickly cut out unwanted hair. Although scissors you have around the house work, dog grooming scissors are specifically designed for the task. Thinning shears are small and help thin out particularly dense patches of fur. Teethed sheers work almost like a brush, picking up and separating hair as you cut it. Eye and ear scissors have blunted tips as a safety measure against poking your dog's eye or ear.

    Towels

    • After bathing and grooming your dog, dry it off if you don't want it lying down wet on a rug or a couch. Towels provide another opportunity to pull out cut hair or shedding hair. It's better that the hair end up on a dog towel than on your bed. Because microfiber towels are absorbent and dry fast, they make good dog towels. Dog towels can be personalized with the dog's name on them or you can use any available towel or clean rag.