How to Use a Strip Tool to Groom Dogs

Dogs with wiry, course double coats look their best when dead hair from the outercoat is stripped away. You can hand-strip your dog's coat, but the process is easier and quicker when you use a strip tool for the job. It's a metal comb with serrated edges on the teeth that pull out loose, dead hair. Stripping your dog's coat makes it lie flat instead of fluffing up and it won't mat as easily.

  1. Using a Strip Tool

    • When using a strip tool to groom your dog's coat, you'll start by grasping a small amount of hair, what you can trap between your thumb and fore- and middle fingers. Place the strip tool on top of the hair at the base of the section, catching the hair between the tool and your thumb. Pull the tool quickly in the same direction that the hair grows. The dead hair will be removed in this quick motion. It will take some practice before you're able to strip your dog's coat like a pro. It may be helpful to you, and probably probably will be more comfortable for your dog, if you get professional instruction from a groomer the first time around.

    Frequency

    • How often you groom your dog with a strip tool is up to you. The Border Terrier Clubs of America say that it can be done as little as just twice a year. You can keep your dog's coat neat by taking a strip tool to it twice a month, though. This will keep your dog's coat looking groomed and will encourage a new outercoat to grow.

    Tips

    • Stripping doesn't hurt your dog, but he'll be more comfortable during the process if you hold his skin taut to minimize pulling during the process. Do this with one hand while you use the strip tool with your other hand. Twist the tool up slightly as you pull it through the hair. Strip your dog's coat in sections, starting at the base of his head and working back toward his tail, then stripping down each of his sides to his stomach and his hind legs. The second phase takes care of the sides of his neck and down his shoulders as well as his tail. Finally, you'll strip the hair on his head, ears, cheeks, front of his neck and chest. Completely stripping your dog can take quite a bit of time. Once you become proficient at it, you may be able to strip your dog's entire body in two hours or less, but until you master the process you may want to do it over several days, stripping a section at a time each day.

    Breeds That Need Stripping

    • Not all dogs have the type of coat that benefits from stripping. Purebred and mixed breeds who have wire and double coats are usually the ones who could use a good stripping occasionally. Schnauzers and terriers make up the largest group of dog breeds who need stripping. Wirehaired pointers, both German and Griffon, as well as Irish wolfhounds, Scottish deerhounds and otterhounds are a few others whose natural wire coat is enhanced with stripping.