As a professional groomer, perfecting your grooming finish is one of the most important ways to wow your customers. The key to your success, the perfect dog grooming finish, could be why you retain your customer's groom after groom.

But did you know that achieving that perfect finish starts with how you prep a dog's coat? A smooth finish, easy grooming or an outstanding style all starts with the right preparation products.

In this blog, we've rounded up our favourite shampoo and styling products to help you achieve great grooming success no matter the dog's grooming needs.

Whether the dog has a matted coat or a breed that requires scissoring, here are our top tips and products to help you master the perfect finish!

Table of contents:

Understanding the dog’s coat type

How to prep and finish a matted coat

How to prep for and finish a hand strip

How to prepare a dog’s coat for scissoring

How to prep for and finish a bath and brush out

How to prep for and perfect the finish of a dirty dog

Understanding a dog’s coat type

Before prepping any dog for a groom, it's paramount that you understand its coat type.

At a very basic level, dogs fall into two main categories: single-coated or double-coated. These two main categories help to dictate the type and the amount of grooming a dog will require.

Single-coated dogs

Single-coated dogs have a single layer of fur, which is typically short and smooth. They shed less than double-coated dogs and don't usually have a shedding season. Instead, they shed throughout the year.

Generally, single-coated dogs are easier to maintain since there is only a single layer of fur to groom, with regular brushing usually enough to remove loose hair and dirt.

Example breeds with single-coats are Maltese, Greyhounds and Poodles.

Double-coated dogs

Double-coated dogs have two layers of fur; a soft and dense undercoat which provides insulation and a coarse outer coat which offers protection against the elements. As opposed to single-coated dogs, they shed seasonally, usually in spring and autumn, when they lose their undercoat to prepare for seasonal changes.

Double-coated dogs require more frequent grooming to manage their undercoat and prevent matting. German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers and Jack Russells all have double coats.

Once you've identified whether the dog has a single or double coat, the next thing to do is to assess its overall coat type, as different coat finishes require different shampoos to keep it looking at its best. Coat types vary by breed and can determine how often a dog will need to be groomed.

Here are the four main coat types:

Smooth coat

Both single and double-coated dogs with smooth coats typically have hair that is short and close to the body. The main issue when caring for and grooming smooth-coated dogs is that they can be prone to skin issues such as dry skin, so this needs to be considered when choosing a shampoo or finishing spray.

When caring for smooth-coated dogs, the coat and skin must be cared for, and the skin should be kept moisturised to prevent further issues. Groomers Simply Natural Oatmeal and Coconut Shampoo is perfect for smooth-coated dogs as it gently moisturises the coat and skin without irritating it.

Curly/textured coats

In contrast, curly-coated dogs, such as Poodles, benefit from the natural texture of their coats being preserved. Curly coats require a lot of volume, so choosing products that aren't moisturising could cause the coat to flatten, compromising texture. Groomers Crazy Curls 2-in-1 Conditioning Shampoo is an ideal choice for caring for curly or textured coats.

Drop coats

Drop coats are easily identifiable, as they are typically long and flowing with a silky finish. Afghan Hounds and Yorkshire Terriers are examples of drop-coated breeds.

These need a lot of moisture in their coats to keep the hair cuticle smooth and flat, and hair strands stay strong and healthy to prevent frizz, tangles and split ends.

Drop coats are quite high maintenance, particularly if the dog is a show dog and the coat needs to be in champion shape.

Wire coats

Wire-coated breeds must maintain their texture, so they are bathed far less. Products such as Warren London Dry Waterless Deep Cleaning Shampoo help keep wire coats clean whilst preserving their texture.

Even with all coat types considered, sometimes the condition of a dog's coat means that it requires specific products for you to achieve an outstanding finish on its coat. In this next section, we'll look at common grooming scenarios where a specific selection of products will help you achieve the best outcome for your grooming client and a perfect finish.

How to prep and finish a matted coat: Clip-off

If you're grooming a dog with a matted coat, your main aim will be to save as much of it as possible. However, even if it requires a full clip-off, you'll want to prep the coat with products that will intensively moisturise it, helping smooth the hair and coat it enough to allow the mat to slide up the existing hair shafts as much as it will allow.

The crucial element to make a matted coat more manageable is to not only use a moisturising shampoo that will condition the hair but to use a conditioner and a detangle spray as well, and then blast out the coat. The blaster will help push the hair out from the bottom of the hair follicle, and although some coats won't be completely freed of mats, it should allow you to at least save most of it.

How to prep for and finish a hand strip

Hand stripping is a process that involves removing the dead outer coat of a dog's fur by hand with a stripping knife. Hand stripping the coat helps it to retain its natural texture and colour and promotes healthy hair growth. Removing the dead outer coat allows the new hair to grow thicker and healthier, helping it to look more vibrant.

Hand stripping involves small sections of the dog's fur being pulled out toward hair growth using a stripping knife across the dog's body, including the back, legs and stomach.

Although some groomers advocate avoiding bathing the dog before stripping their coat, hand stripping opens up the hair follicle, meaning bacteria can enter the skin, which could lead to an infection. With this in mind, bathing first can help to keep the coat and skin clean, preventing infection.

However, washing a dog before stripping softens the hair and the skin, making it more difficult to strip. For easy hand stripping, you'll want a coat that is as coarse and oil-free as possible, making it easy to grip and, in turn, allows you to use a smoother motion to achieve a better result.

To handstrip easily, we recommend bathing the dog with an antibacterial shampoo to reduce the risk of infection or with a degreasing shampoo, such as Wahl Dirty Beastie, to remove as much grease from the coat as possible for easy grip.

Hatchwells Chalk Powder is ideal for running through the coat pre-strip to absorb grease and aid grip, whereas finger cots help to protect the dog's skin from infection and provide extra grip when removing each hair.

How to prepare a dog’s coat for scissoring

Some breeds, such as poodles, require their coats to be scissored when groomed; preparation is key for this technique to be mastered effectively. A coat that requires scissoring must be clear of mats and knots so it's able to be fluffed up without any issues.

To prepare the coat for scissoring, we recommend a deep-cleaning or volumising shampoo that will lift the coat so it stands on end, reducing the time you need to fluff it. Finish with an anti-static spray to keep the hair in place before you use the scissors.

How to prep for and finish a bath and brush out

Single or short coats that are easy to maintain, requiring less prep work for an outstanding finish. For these breeds, focus on moisturising the coat to make it shine while adding products to smooth down the hair.

Start with a good moisturising shampoo, such as Groomers Evening Primrose Oil Shampoo and Conditioner, then finish with a coat conditioning spray for the ultimate, shiny finish. Or, if you want to enhance the colours of the dog's coat, why not opt for a colour-enhancing shampoo such as Groomers Colour Enhancing White Coat Shampoo?

How to prep for and perfect the finish of a dirty dog’s coat

Some dogs love the great outdoors, so it's inevitable that you'll be faced with a dog that needs a deep clean at some point. Whether mud, grease, or fox poo, with dogs like these, the emphasis is just as much on helping them to smell nice again as it is helping them shine!

If you're faced with a dirty dog, wash it twice. The first wash will focus on rinsing the coat to remove anything nasty; we'd recommend an antibacterial or deep-cleaning shampoo to clean and nourish the coat.

The second wash will help ensure the coat is completely free of dirt and debris. For this, you can use the same shampoo again. Still, it may be worth opting for one that will help you achieve your desired finishing results, such as a deep-cleaning shampoo for degreasing before stripping or a volumising shampoo for scissoring.

Shop shampoo and finishing products at Groomers

Now you know the best shampoos and styling sprays to enhance your grooming efforts, why not shop for them at Groomers? Find everything you need, irrespective of coat type, when you explore the collection today!

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