Coating

We are well and truly into the coating stage of a dogs yearly life.  Coating is another word for moulting which means when a dog looses its winter coat and starts to develop its summer coat.

Now for many dogs coating happens and is quite normal and sheds little and that is it.  But for some dogs for what ever reason they may take up to 12 weeks or more to shed their coat.  Coats can looks yellow, spotty, brittle and won't come out if you brush them.  It takes its own time.  But for those types of coats which take longer these are some tips for you to help the process.

1) Bath weekly.  
2) If you can blast the coat with a blaster (Strong hairdryer in other words), it blows out dead coat.
3) Zoom groom the coat - a little rubber grooming tool which helps.  But do not I repeat do Not over brush the coat.  You can damage new coat coming in.  Do not groom when wet with a zoom groom as you'll destroy new coat.  Use a scurry comb when putting conditioner in.  Just scurry the coat little. 
4) Buy a protein shampoo.  This nourish the fur and skin.
5) Buy a conditioner and leave in coat for ten mins before washing out. 
6) Give either omega three oils, or salmon oil, krill oil.
7) Kelp powder gives nutrients which benefit the coat.
8) Flax oil is also beneficial. 
9) Vitamin B tablets and wheat germ oil can benefit the coat.
10) A Daily egg with shell. Ideally free range fed on corn, alfalfa, and good nutrients over battery reared hens.  In the eggs is more nutrients in a well fed chicken. 
11) Patience and oodles of it.  If you show your dog, well just rest it until this is all over.  Most experienced judges will understand, but odd ones thing your dogs got mange lol.  It hasn't.
12) Dont flea or worm in a spot on because the dogs coat needs to get condition.  Ideally your holistic anyway, especially if you've read my hidden pages.
13) Spinach in the diet helps good coats. 

I hope this helps. their is a page on the hidden pages, which I shall update soon.  Ive got some pictures of a bad coating experience to share which will help you realise your not alone.  Also ask in our group on Facebook if you have any problems and we can help you.  

One last thing although I mention all things that. help, don't over dose the dogs on oils.  Pick one and see if that in fact helps.  For example some people find that omega three doesn't help with their dog. So try flax seed oil instead.

Regards Rachel x