My current dogs are the first smooth coated ones that I have ever owned - I used to prefer dogs with natural clothes on, but thought these would mean less grooming in my declining years. Big mistake! Both Ed and Merry are moulting like mad at present, and are needing fairly vigorous daily grooming, but my big problem is that they are giving me static electric shocks. Today I made a point of wearing all cotton jeans and sweatshirt, and also wore rubber beach shoes. I still got quite sharp shocks, especially from Merry, so I tried wearing a cotton glove too, - and the shock moved to the restraining hand rather than the grooming hand! Although I have always been prone to static shocks from cars, I have not had a significant problem grooming until Merry arrived. Does anyone else have to put up with these shocks, or better still, have found a way of dealing with them? All suggestions gratefully received.
Do you add eggs and coconut oil to there diet? Gives Mouse a richer coat, and that generally means less dry coat with static.
That is food for thought Larry. They have both been on coconut oil, but I had left it out lately because they both tend towards being overweight. No eggs for the same reason. Their coats are soft and have a good shine, but I do think that Merry's topcoat is a little coarser than Eddie's. I have lots of coconut oil in stock and will try putting Merry back on it, to see if it makes a difference. Thanks for the input, I will report back.
I used to get it with the Akita's especially after bathing them, I used a Spray conditioner which did the trick.
Rubber mat under her when you groom and spray on (dog) conditioner or even a light water spray while grooming should help
OK, thank you for that Chris and Vee. I did used to use a spray on the toys to prevent fly away coats. I'm off to Birmingham Nat. tomorrow, so I'll look out for an anti static spray. Eddie does have a little swim quite often, and Merry will only paddle, so that could be another reason why she is worse. OH's suggestion was rubber gloves - I tried it this morning, and it does work! Not the same feeling though. I shouldn't moan but perhaps it's the recent dry weather which has made it worse.
I know I shouldn't laugh But I don't have this problem because I don't have carpets - your dogs are charging themselves up when they walk on carpets/mats, even some pet bedding can charge your dogs with static shock. I do know that grooming parlours use anti static mats in the holding pens & on their grooming tables, they also use boar bristle brushes not nylon grooming brushes.
Yes they do have Vetbeds, and are on carpet. I don't use nylon brushes though, a Spratts 73 comb, and a rubber hound pad seems to be the most efficient way to get rid of loose hair, and a bristle brush gets rid of any residual dust. I bought a BioGroom Anti Static spray at the Nat, and have given them a good grooming on a rubber mat today. They are back on a little coconut oil as well. Today is hot and dry, but there were no static shock problems. Problem now solved, thank you all!
