How to remove burrs from a long coated dog

Fall is the time of year when burrs are everywhere. When a dog gets completely covered in burrs it can be a real hassle to remove these pesky things.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• "slicker" brush (short, densely packed wire bristle brush) A "kitty" slicker brush is best, it is softer)
• dog brush with widely seperated wire bristles
• scissors may be necessary
• electric clippers may be necessary
• steel comb with one and half inch "teeth"
• patience and perseverance
• grooming table or picnic table

1. If you have a grooming table or a icnig table and your dog will stand for you on this then by all means put him up on the table. It will be much easier on your back.
2. The key to removing the large cockleburrs is to hold the BURR in your left hand (if you are right handed). For large masses of burs, you still must begin basically by grasping the burr or colection of burrs in your hand. Reverse the process if you are left handed.
3. Pick up the steel comb in your other hand and seperate the hairs away from the burr, five or six hairs at a time.
4. Put the burr into a container so it won't drop on the floor or the ground. Either your dog will EAT the burr or will pick it back up in his coat again.
5. If the dog is covered with the little tiny burrs (often called "stick tites" these can be easily removed by simply brushing with the slicker brush, lifting the hairs back with one hand and brushing with the lay of the coat with the other hand.
6. Follow through with a combing out with the steel comb.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't care about saving the dog's coat, then you can use scissors. A clippers is better as it will seldom cut your dog's skin.
• If you don't care about preserving the dog's coat and you are planning on being outside in the brush a lot, then trim the dog's coat to a length of two inches all over for ease in removing burrs later. it is never wise to shave a dog down completely if it is a long coated dog, mother nature insulates and protects the dog with its coat.
• If you use scissors, do be careful if the burr is close to the dog's skin.
• To avoid pain to the dog it is vital that you hold the burr and the hair so you are pulling the hairs away from the burr without pulling the hairs away from the SKIN.
• Always remember that a dog can bite if it is in pain. Muzzle any dog that you believe may be a "biter".