A long coat that's neglected for a week needs an hour of work to recover. A long coat that's touched daily needs about five minutes.
The daily five
- Comb behind the ears and under the front legs — mats start here
- Check feet for debris and trimmed paw-pad hair
- Wipe around the eyes if your breed tears
- A quick body brush, going with the grain
- A finishing comb to catch what the brush missed
Once a week, set aside 15 minutes for a thorough session: nails, ears, deep brushing, sanitary trim. Once a month, a professional groom if your breed needs it.
Tools matter more than time. A good comb makes the difference between five quick minutes and a wrestling match.
