Reddit mentions: The best dog conditioners

Lots of big dog stuff here! Here's some nice things for the little guys (~25 lbs and under). Many of these items are good for big dogs, too; will note them with a * sign and list them first in each section.

Treats

• Himalayan Dog Cheese Chew*: Long-lasting hard cheese chews; can be microwaved to make "cheesy popcorn" for your dog when it gets small enough to pose a swallowing hazard. Comes in a variety of sizes.
  
  
• Brushless Toothpaste*: Our dog LOVES this stuff, and it keeps his breath smelling awesome. Also helps keep his teeth clean. May want to introduce these into the dog's diet slowly, as some are sensitive to the ingredients but acclimate over time. Comes in an even smaller size for the really tiny dogs, and bigger sizes for the big dogs :)
  
  
• Freeze-dried chicken*: Easy to break into small pieces and sprinkle over your dog's kibble or regular food.
  
  
• Stella & Chewy Meal Mixers*: Great to sprinkle over your dog's regular food for both nutrition and novel taste.
  
  
• Fruitables Minis: Small and low-calorie; great for clicker-training your dog. Comes in a wide variety of flavors.
  
  
• Crazy Dog Bacon Treats*: Also small and very-low calorie; another good clicker-training tool.
  
  Toys
  
  
• KONG Mini Squeaky Tennis Balls*: Great for dogs who like either balls, squeaky toys, or both! My dog had zero interest in balls before these, and they're still the only ones he'll play with. Come in lots of sizes; not good for strong dogs who like to chew up their balls.
  
  
• Dog Tornado*: Easy introductory puzzle toy that's not too big for little dogs. Good for kibble, wet food, and treats. May be too big for dogs under 7 lbs.
  
  
• Dog Tower: Another great introductory puzzle toy suitable for small dogs. Good for kibble and small treats. Not sure how this'll hold up to big dogs, although I think it'd be fine with the gentler ones.
  
  
• JW Treat Pod: Kind of like the Kong, but better suited for gentler, 'licking'-type dogs. Easier to clean out as well, IMO; the small Kongs are so hard to get completely clean even with a brush.
  
  
• Outward Hound Flirt Pole: Fun and easy exercise, the Outward Hound version is more lightweight and suited for small dogs.
  
  Harnesses, Collars, & Safety
  
  
• Pet Stairs*: Large collection of pet stairs. Some on this page are suitable for large dogs as well.
  
  
• Hurtta Active Dog Harness*: High-quality dog harness for dogs that love to run around the outdoors in all kinds of weather and elements. Comes in a variety of sizes; for dogs 7+ lbs.
  
  
• Ruffwear Swamp Cooler*: Comes in XXS, XS, and S. Great for keeping your dog cool in the summer if you don't live in a humid area.
  
  
• Hurtta Pet Overall*: Great for rain and snow; comes in a variety of small sizes. Fit perfectly on our Pom mix and very high quality.
  
  
• Musher's Secret*: Protect your dog's paws in cold weather.
  
  
• Sleepypod Clickit*: Crash-tested car harness, comes in a variety of sizes.
  
  
• Sleepypod Mobile Carrier/Car Seat/Pet Bed: Crash-tested dog bed/car seat/carrier!
  
  
• Lil Pals Step-in Mesh Harness: For the seriously small dogs.
  
  
• Ollydog Marin Collar: Completely waterproof, rustproof, extremely durable, easy to put on...the perfect collar!
  
  Grooming
  
  
• The Stuff Detangler and Conditioner*: Keeps your dog's coat looking clean and glossy; easy to apply and doesn't have a strong odor.
  
  
• Lil Pals Grooming Kit: Miniature grooming tools for your miniature dog at a very affordable price.
  
  Edited to add more+formatting!

Hey! I'll gladly share what I use:

• This is the grooming table, it makes brushing and drying them a lot easier.
  
  
• This is the dryer I use, but you don't need something as powerful, there are plenty of cheaper alternatives, I just like that one because it does the job quickly. Here is a cheaper dryer that some of my Sammy owner friends also use.
  
  
• Comb
  
  
• Pin Brush
  
  I can't find the brands of some of the other brushes I use as I bought them at dog shows but here are some alternatives:
  
  
• Slicker brush
  
  
• Rake
  
  
  For shampoo you don't really need to spend money on show quality whitening shampoo, I only use it for show bathing, for a regular bath I use this shampoo, it is sold at Petco.
  
  
• Conditioning/Detangling spray that you can use during the weekly brush to get the tangles and matts out easier and to moisturize the coat.
  
  So these are the basics :) For the regular weekly brush what I usually do is spray the detangling spray all over the coat, paying particular attention to the more matted areas (behind the ears, on the thighs etc.) then I start gently brushing the dog with the Rake, this will get the largest tangles out. Then I line comb using the Comb, line combing means you comb the coat in small sections (lines), here is a good video that shows how to line comb. Then I use the Slicker Brush on their legs, brushing them against the grain. To finish off I brush the tail with the Pin Brush and lightly go over the rest of the coat with it as well, brushing against the grain around the neck. Never use anything but the pin brush on the tail because it is the gentlest brush you have so it won't break the hair on the tail which regrows very slowly if you damage it.
  
  I know it sounds complicated but it really doesn't take a long time, takes me about 20 mins per dog once a week and their coats look great :) Bathing is a whole other story but you don't need to bathe a Samoyed very often at all.
  
  
  

I own and love this comb and this looks very similar to a fantastic comb one of my coworkers uses.

For slickers, Les Poochs makes some pretty awesome ones - their red one is amazing at dematting! Unfortunately they're also really expensive! If you don't mind spending, the Pro Brush (F/F) would be the way to go. If you're cheap like me, this has very good reviews and should perform acceptably as well. I personally like flexible slickers, so I recommend them.

Truthfully I seldom use undercoat rakes. A high velocity blow dryer (k9 brand is good - don't bathe at home without a blower, it's a good investment) serves the purpose for me both with my own dog and with the dogs at work. Still, if you want an undercoat rake, stay away from things that have blades - Furminators, Furminator knock-offs, Mars Coat Kings, coat king knock offs. There's a time and place for those but I would not personally use them on a spitz of any breed. Something like this will do. I also like shedding combs though I haven't found one without a handle yet.

Additional stuff: you need a good pair of nail clippers, and I also recommend spray like The Stuff or Ice on Ice to keep things feeling nice and fresh.

Is that your poodle in the chair? Omg too cute lol

I recommend using “The Stuff” to help keep the tangles out. Some ppl hate it because it’s a silicone spray but I consistently use it on client dogs that are in long scissored trims (havanese, Maltese, yorkies, Bichons, Standards) and come in every 6-8 weeks. Their owners do not brush at home. I have not had a problem with keeping tangles out. In fact most times I can toss them right in the tub without having to brush first. Regardless of coat type. It smells good, and leaves the dog hair soft and manageable.
One of my Maltese clients asked me what I used because she washes her dog at home between visits, and her dog was matting up overnight but after I groomed the dog it would last for weeks... I told her the same info.

It’s a leave on spray. You can get it ready to go, or in concentrate which you mix with distilled water so it doesn’t spoil. Wash your dog, towel dry lightly, spritz sparingly on his hair and rub your hands over where you sprayed to get it into the hair. You don’t need much.

Make sure you spritz this in an area where you won’t be walking. It is slicker than snot on the floor and you will break your neck!! Works great for the bottom of sleds during winter, by the way lol. Try putting a towel down before you spray it on him so no overspray gets on the floor (or in your tub if you’re washing him at home). Then dry him like normal.

You can also lightly spritz this on his dry coat if you have a problem area that has a mat, but it’s designed to go on wet hair. No other demat tools needed. Just a good brush (I’m old school and still use a slicker).

Here’s a link to it on amazon. The Stuff


Hope that works for you. :)
https://imgur.com/gallery/5DjoG

So, we avoid undercoat rakes and combs on the advice of our breeder (don't want to pull out or cut any of the active undercoat). It took us a while to really get that she was right (at least for our pup), but it is what we've had the best luck with. We use a metal comb to do the line-comb technique as /u/cpersall suggests, and then we finish with just a normal human pin-brush (which he likes quite a bit) for the topcoat. We also brush him at least every other day while we're watching TV of the evening.

You asked about shampoo and such: we've had enormous luck with The Stuff spray in conditioner while we're brushing him out. Makes him look purty (seriously got so many compliments at the herding-dog park parties that we now have half the town using it on Corgis, Aussies, and BCs). We've been using AvoDerm for shampoo (about once every two-three weeks depending on how much mud he's gotten into). Aussies tend to be great self-groomers. We only really give him baths when he's muddy and we don't want it in bed or on the couch. Also he loves bathtime, so sometimes I give him 'baths' sans shampoo on hot days. Drying off with the towel is the Best Game Ever!

Oh I've been there with my own doodle. I took to grooming her myself after I was charged $60 for a 3 hour session (I know it is well worth the money and groomers deserve every cent, I just can't afford that!)

I have found that a slicker brush works well to brush/fluff out the coat, as well as brushing/pulling apart matts (instead of just cutting them out). Also, to prevent matting close to the skin, a pin brush works well because it reaches the base of the coat. A good detangler used regularly will help make brushing an easy, painless process. I use Isle of Dogs products, this shampoo and conditioner has saved my life and my dog's coat! I also use a detangler by them, bought it on amazon. I use this product at my work, and it is amazing although a little pricey.

Also, it generally helps to brush out the coat before bathing. This includes brushing out all matts as best as you can, as getting them wet makes it harder to get rid of them. After bathing, dry the coat by toweling them off in direction of hair growth (vs just toweling them off all willy nilly every which way) and take breaks to brush out the coat as it dries. This process can be sped up with the use of a blow drier. I like to spritz detangler in here and there as the coat dries too.

I hope this helps!!! That doodle coat is high maintenance but oh is it worth it :)

I’m not a vet but my Pyrenees mix gets dry skin too, I think it’s because he’s so pink. In the winter his tummy gets dry like that, I use this dog lotion I buy on amazon. I just apply it after baths and when he’s looking a little dry. It seems to help him. It also makes him easier to brush, helps with tangles. Smells really nice too.
Here’s a link: Warren London - Hydrating Butter For Dogs Skin & Coat,8 Oz,Pomegranate & Acai https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EVPQ1L2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_n3MIAbTSJXECK

Ive got a couple, because I have no impulse control.

for difficult tangles I use cowboy magic.

For just normal brushing when theyre a LIL tangly, but nothing serious I mostly use this one. It smells like those strawberry candies old people sometimes have. It's the go to when theyve come in from rain or snow, or when theyve had an excessive amount of fun at the dog park.

and this one is what I generally use to brush em out after a bath/towel dry cause it makes them super soft.

Biggest thing in the winter is to make sure you keep their paw pads trimmed, and any extra side fluff trimmed down to foot size. The fluffy feet are like mud sponges.

I highly recommend The Stuff after bathing and conditioning! Its a finishing spray that leaves the coat very light and in most cases will even keep your dog feeling cleaner longer. You can even use it in between baths when you brush to keep his/her coat feeling nice and soft.

Another great thing about it is that you never need much and a bottle will last you months for a little yorkie :)

For my two kids (Siberian Husky and Akita) I use any old hypoallergenic dog shampoo that smells good, then the furminator conditioner. We tried the shampoo too, didn't do much, but holy crud, they look like sheep as they dry because their dead undercoat hairs starts to slide loose of the guard hairs. Then a shedding blade once they're dry, and a slicker brush as needed after that. If you use the slicker brush, which is awesome because it keeps those clumpy stripes my kids get from forming, start at the booty and push the hair back towards the head with one hand with you brush, moving your way up towards the head. You'll really get into the undercoat that way, and just continue up in lines until you've worked the whole dog. Brush every three days or so, more if you like, and you should see a decrease in hair everywhere else.

You could try switching to a fish flavored food. However, Earthbath makes a few deodorizing sprays that work as leave in conditioners. Our groomers use The Stuff its concentrated so it lasts forever. Smells amazing and definitely helps keep flakes away!

He's a cutie! Mine doesn't really have a smell, a few people have commented on her not having 'that' beagle smell. I bathe her fairly often & I use an oatmeal shampoo/conditioner to keep her skin happy. She's 11 years old & I've been using this brand most of life. She's suuuuper soft, too!

We groom her at home using thinning shears. If you use regular scissors it will look choppy. We also use a spray conditioner called "The Stuff". It makes her fur so soft and easier to brush through. Amazon link to "The Stuff": The Stuff Dog Conditioner 16oz Ready to use https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0081XZWT2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_HGMuzb76RKS5S

I like https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FQCWTVY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_5CTDCbJ7QVAHW for my shih tzu. I spray on and work in https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0081XZWT2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_0ETDCb9M8DPAQ or Tropiclean Tangle Remover, 16oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000634IUO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_NFTDCb0CWPPGB first. And if puppy is getting too fussy... Bzzzzzzzz go the tiny clippers. Cause it's better than a matt from a snowball.. snowballing.

If you want to untangle dog hair you need some of this called The Stuff. This stuff works WONDERS! At my job we sometimes have to groom dogs like Shih Tzu that really tangled. I sprayed some of this stuff my boss said to use and rubbed it into the coat. The brush started to just flow through!

http://www.amazon.com/Pet-Head-Detangling-Strawberry-Yogurt/dp/B00B568K5U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368664897&sr=8-1&keywords=pet+head+detangle

I use this while I brush my dog if he has a LOT of tangles. He smells fruity :)

My lab gsd mix gets that and I like both this one and this one

I use The Stuff detangling spray. It really helps. Bizarre word of warning though, don't spray it over a wood or tile floor. Any spray that doesn't land on your dog will land on the floor and make it very slippery! I only spray it over carpet or rugs.

I also use Kinky Curly Knot Today as a leave-in conditioner on problem areas like the arm pits. It's a product for humans but it works on dogs as well. I've also rubbed a bit of this into a mat and then combed it out.

Before brush time you can try some dry conditioner or detangling spray. Have her chew a no-hide, cow hoof, treat filled kong, or any other chew to keep her distracted. Even peanut butter or cream cheese on a spoon could keep her distracted. Make sure to give lots of high value treats when she's behaving (not whining, not struggling, etc) and after you're done grooming.

My smoothie hated brushes but he loves stealing attention from my other dog more. I would brush my bulldog in front of him and he decided he wanted in on it. That's also how I got him to like his nails done and teeth brushed

have you tried conditioner?

https://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Isle-Dogs-Conditioner-Tangle-Prone/dp/B002LAS72K

I've used a variety in the past and have recently switched to this one

I use this one and the scent fades pretty quickly but keeps him from getting stinky: https://www.amazon.com/BarkLogic-Sensitive-Conditioning-Detangling-Tangerine/dp/B01ESAIR1G/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539047015&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=dog+leave+on+conditioner+tangerine

It cuts down on the shedding and loose underfur. Must have for any double coated dog. In addition, get a doggie detangler spray (I highly recommend this product) so that the brush does not snag on knots and cause pain to your dog. Bonus: it makes your dog smell so good!

No, don't use a furminator on a puppy yet!! Wait for the adult fur to fully grow in. In the meantime, buy a lighter brush (like a baby brush) so that you can train your puppy to not be afraid of/chew on the brush. My dad used to be very impatient of grooming one of our collies, would pull on tangled fur and make the dog cry that it trained the dog to run away in fear anytime it saw the brush. We literally had to hold him down or tie him to a post to brush him as he cowered. Very bad experience we could not train out of him... damage was already done. As a result, I have been extremely gentle that my corgi sees brushing as a bonding experience because of early, gentle exposure.

In addition, I would also take your puppy to a groomer so that he/she gets accustomed to the tools they use (nail filers, blow dryer, shower head, tub, clippers, etc). The earlier the exposure the dog has, the less problems they will have with a groomer (and groomers will LOVE your dog for it). Corgis are one of those breeds that require a professional groomer because of the amount they shed (especially if it's a fluffy like mine!). Interview your groomer- ask about their experiences handling puppies and make sure one will NEVER shave or buzz clip your dog. I have discontinued my business with two groomers because they were either physically PINNING my dog on the groomer's table (never do that to a puppy) AND buzz clipped him because she "wasn't paying attention the the level she set her clipper" (hell no, we're done). A good groomer knows to NEVER shave a double coated dog.