How to Make Dog Hair Smooth

Dog hair can get dirty and matted and develop an unpleasant odor. To make your dog's hair clean and smooth --- as well as to reduce shedding --- you need to regularly groom its coat. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends that you make grooming sessions fun for your dog while also using them as a way to check for fleas, ticks and other skin problems.

Things You'll Need

  • Rubber brush
  • Bristle brush
  • Chamois
  • Slicker brush
  • Dog shampoo
  • Washcloth
  • Ear-cleaning wipes for dogs
  • Dog conditioner
  • Towel or hairdryer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Brush your dog's coat to remove mats and dirt. For dogs with a short coat, first use a rubber brush to loosen dirt and any dead skin particles. Follow this with a bristle brush to remove dead hair follicles, and wipe your dog down with a chamois to remove any excess hair. If your dog has short, dense fur or longer hair, first brush its coat with a slicker brush to remove mats and tangles. Switch to a bristle brush to remove the dead hair. Brush shorter-haired dogs weekly and long-haired dogs daily.

    • 2

      Bathe your dog after brushing it to fully smooth the hair. Use a mild, dog shampoo or gentle soap such as castile soap. Place your dog in a bathtub with three or four inches of warm water. Use a handheld shower head to wet your dog down. Apply the shampoo from head to toe, avoiding the eyes, ears, nose and mouth. Gently lather the shampoo into the coat, letting it sit for three to five minutes to fully remove any dirt or fleas. Use a washcloth to clean its face to avoid getting soap into its eyes, nose or mouth. Check its ears and clean them with a dog ear-cleansing wipe while avoiding the ear canal.

    • 3

      Rinse your dog to fully remove any soap from its coat.

    • 4

      Rub a dog conditioner into your dog's coat to make it smooth and shiny. Dog-specific conditioners contain detangling ingredients that soften the hair, making it easier to brush after bathing. Allow the conditioner to sit in the fur and absorb into the hairs for five to 10 minutes, then rinse it off completely. You can also use leave-in conditioners on your dog that you do not rinse to add extra softness to the coat.

    • 5

      Dry your dog with a large towel or hairdryer. If using a hairdryer, do not put the dryer too close to your dog's skin to prevent burns or skin irritation.

    • 6

      Brush your dog's coat again to smooth it out after bathing and remove any dead hair you loosened with the bath. Continue to brush until you remove any remaining tangles.

    • 7

      Maintain a bathing schedule of at least once every three months, or more frequently if your dog's coat becomes severely matted or dirty.