Drying dogs – methods and tips for individual dogs

Drying dogs and equipment used

Heidi Anderton principal of Absolutely Animals and London School of Pet Grooming talks about drying dogs, the equipment used and the effect it can achieve. Heidi is a highly qualified and experienced industry expert as well as an award winning groomer and founder member of the British Isles Grooming Association.

All dogs will generally need to be dried after bathing in one way or another. The methods we use will depend on various factors – these will include, coat types and finishes required, skull shapes and any breathing issues, size, behaviour, health and any individual requirements.

Methods to dry dogs

There are several methods to dry dogs available, each have their positive and negative points and each you will need to assess to the individual requirements of the dog you wish to dry including the desired finish. Ex, fluff or flat dried. Here are some:

It is very important that you have the essential options above available to you as these options will benefit you in the salon to be able to dry all dogs no matter of coat, temperament or health.

Signs of stress in dogs

Whining, barking, whimpering, shaking, urinating, defecating are all some common signs of stress in dogs exhibited in the salon. All the above drying methods can be found in grooming salons. Sometimes we can use a combination of the drying methods to suit the dog in question. For example: Blast body, towel dry legs and head.

We all have our preferred methods of drying but sometimes these may not suit the dog we are working with.

If you notice any signs of stress due to drying it is prudent to stop what you are doing and change to another less intrusive or stressful method.

Some dogs can be very sensitive to noise and velocity of the dryers and blasters that the simplest and quickest methods of drying will be towel drying or air drying with maybe a heat source (dryer) from a distance to produce enough heat without any feeling of velocity or noise to the dog. You could try using a happy hoodie to block the noise from the ears – dogs have much more sensitive hearing than us and this method works most of the time.

Choosing the right equipment to dry dogs

The drying equipment you choose will be down to personal preference and the space, the set up and budget which you have available to you.

Shop around! Go to grooming shows or visit a local supplier and discuss all the options available to you. Feel the equipment, the quality, the weight, look at the advantages and the disadvantages. Will it fit your

Drying Method Advantages Disadvantages Types

Air Drying Essential option No noise No velocity No interaction Great on a hot day Slow Can leave wet patches (ex. under ears) Unsuitable in a cold environment N/A

Towel Drying Essential option No noise No velocity Massaging effect

Cabinet Drying Variable heat/temp regulator Dry more than one dog at a time Dry dog while you complete other work Less time with the dog Circulating air from fan

Blaster drying Essential option Variable velocity Variable heat Head options Massaging effect Minimal handling Dries quickly Portable Use close or further away Use to Dry completely

Finishing/fluff drying Essential option Active drying Variable velocity Variable heat Use simultaneously with a brush to stretch coat Portable Use close or further away

Cage drying Variable heat/temp regulator Dry dog while you complete other work Less time with the dog Quite slow Can leave wet patches

Quite slow Requires stops for brushing Too small for big /giant dogs Inactive drying system (dries hair together) Unsuitable for wool coats or short nosed Expensive to buy Requires daily cleaning-can be time consuming

Noisy Too Forceful for some dogs Hoses can get hot Hoses can be too wide to hold for long

Stand dryers can get hair stuck in the wheels

Quite slow Requires stops for brushing Inactive drying system (dries hair together) Unsuitable for wool coats or short nosed Expensive to buy Cannot regulate temperature of the crate Absorbent cloths Cotton towel

Bottom fan Side fan

Velocity only Velocity/heat combined Wall mounted Stand mounted

Wall dryer Stand dryer

Cage mounted

purpose? Look at the sizes of the hoses, ask if they get hot!? – will they get too hot to handle for long? Or are the hoses too big to hold for a long period of time?

It is important to choose equipment which will fit your purpose. If you groom mostly small dogs, you will not need a dryer with lots of velocity and if you do mostly giant breeds with thick coats, you will require a dryer with a lot more power.

Think before you buy to gain the most longevity out of your equipment.

Top Tips for Dryer Maintenance for Pro Groomers

Your grooming equipment is your livelihood, and taking care of it well means that it will last longer and will cost you less money on repairs and replacements.

Dryers and blasters are one of your most robust pieces of salon equipment, but they are still susceptible to damage. The smallest crack can cause big problems if it isn’t repaired quickly. To make sure your dryer is always in top condition, we have some advice below: 1. Check the plug, cable and switches for damage regularly to help prevent electrical problems. 2. Confirm the casing is undamaged before daily use. Any crack to the case can let hair and dirt in, and this can start to clog the motor. The motor then has to work harder, which can cause damage and reduce the motor life. 3. Clean your filters daily. Build up on the filters can also make your motor work harder than it has to! First vacuum or blow out hair or dust from the filter, then clean them with warm soapy water and allow to dry. 4. Make sure your hose is undamaged and the hose clip is not broken or misshapen. If you don’t use a manufacturer-approved part, the hose can easily come loose and fly off, becoming a health hazard. If your dryer has a heat function, don’t wrap anything around the nozzle. Dryers with heat usually have their heating element within the nozzle, much like a hairdryer, so wrapping it with tape or a sticky bandage can make it even hotter,leading to a melted mess and a damaged heating element. 5. Ensure there is no hair clogging the output nozzle. You will need to remove the hose for this and then take out any protruding or stuck hair. Hair this close to a heating element can begin to burn. 6. If you are confident, remove the rear cover of the dryer once a month. Clean out any excess dust from behind the filters and remove any hair that may be caught in the back of the motor. This helps the motor to move freely, preventing wear and other issues. 7. Make sure your dryer stand is safe and secure, that the wheels aren’t clogged with hair and that your dryer is properly attached. If a dryer falls over, this can cause the nozzle to cave in or the casing to crack. 8. Get your dryer serviced once a year. Don’t forget you can get it serviced with Groomers online! Do all this and your dryer will be in top condition, ensuring your investment lasts!

Safety Warning! Always make sure you complete all your checks and cleaning while the dryer is unplugged.