Our first dog...and a quick ?

Our beautiful Scarlette who is a black lab / hound mix was not shedding much until Fall began . It is my understanding that the major dog shedding season are the Spring and the Fall

Her hair is not that long, but she has been continuously shedding since October. I gave her a bath today, and chunks ...and I mean chunks of lose hair where coming out as I rinsed her.

There is hair everywhere!!! I have tried everything.
The Furminator ( I brush her almost every night)
The Furminator deshedding shampoo
The Furminator desheedding dry shampoo and conditioner

I wash my bed sheets every other day (she sleeps with us---thinking about stopping that)

We have a sheet over our sofa (I wash that twice a week).

I used the swifter and clean the floors every day. I vacuum every other day and there is still hair everywhere

We purposely did not get a long hair dog so that I wouldn't have to deal with much of this.

Don't get me wrong I love my dog
and won't even think about giving her up

I was just wondering if anyone else is dealing with this, and what do you recommend?

Any suggestions are much appreciated!

Re: Our first dog...and a quick ?

I think we've all probably felt this way at some point and just gotten used to it.

I caution you about the Furminator though - every day might be too much. It's an undercoat rake and can scratch and irritate their skin. I've also heard people say it strips the hairs, making their coat look worse but we don't use it that much and haven't seen it ourselves. We only use it once a week in shedding season, and the Zoom Groom the other days.

I know your dog is a mix but you should know that Labs should not be bathed that often. Unless they get especially dirty, it's better if you don't bathe them more than say once a month, or you could be stripping the oils from their coat and giving them skin issues.

I actually noticed that our first dog shed more the first year (we also got him in fall) than last year or this year. I don't know why that is, maybe he's less stressed or healthier or his food is better, I don't know.

I feel your pain though!

Message edited 11/21/2010 7:35:01 PM.

Re: Our first dog...and a quick ?

Thank you for the info greenfreak

Re: Our first dog...and a quick ?

I have a lab too and she sheds like crazy. It was frustrating in the beginning, but I guess I got used to it. I would recommend a good vacuum. I sweep daily and I swear there is enough hair for another dog on my floor after I'm done.

I also agree with greenfreak re the furminator. I used to use it and I noticed she started to get some bald spots on her sides. I stopped using it and it's finally growing back in.

Re: Our first dog...and a quick ?

Vacuum, swiffer, broom... that is pretty much the only way I can get rid of the tumbleweeds of fur in my house!

Re: Our first dog...and a quick ?

I got used to living with the tumble weeds, lol! At least your labs let you brush them. Layla tries to eat the brush so I gave up.

Re: Our first dog...and a quick ?

Thank you ladies

I am getting used to the floors..no big deal

The sofa and the bed well....that is another story

I can fix that by not allowing her on the furniture ( I guess)

DH loves to have her on the bed and cuddle

I like to cuddle with her as well

Re: Our first dog...and a quick ?

Re: Our first dog...and a quick ?

try a teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of olive oil in her food. Its helps over time.

Message edited 11/25/2010 10:17:36 AM.

Re: Our first dog...and a quick ?