Course 15 · Double Coats · Lesson 3 of 12
What routine suits a double coat week by week?
A double coat routine suits weekly combing to skin, friction checks, paw and face checks, and more frequent deshedding during blowing.
A routine that suits a double coat week by week is weekly combing to the skin in sections, friction area checks, face, paw and mouth checks, and more frequent deshedding during blowing, with bathing only when dirty and full drying afterwards. The routine should be short, predictable, and split across the week, rather than a single long groom. A weekly rhythm that is kept consistently prevents undercoat packing, catches mats early, and keeps skin observable, without over grooming or tiring the dog.
What should happen every week, outside blowing coat?
Every week, outside blowing, comb the whole coat to the skin in sections, using a wide toothed comb and an undercoat rake where appropriate, checking skin as you go. Check friction areas, behind ears, armpits, groin, chest, and under collars, by feel, for tangles or mats. Check paws, pads, and toe hair, check eyes and face hair, and do a brief mouth look if the dog accepts it. Check nails for overgrowth or cracks, and note anything that needs a separate lesson or a groomer visit. Keep the session to 20 to 30 minutes, split into two shorter sessions if the dog prefers it, with breaks and rewards. Record what was done and any findings in a few words, so the next week starts with clear information. A weekly routine should also include checking equipment fit, bedding cleanliness, and tool condition, because those affect coat health. Bathing is not a weekly task for most double coats; it is done when dirty, as in lesson 4, and it is always followed by full drying.
How does the weekly routine change during blowing coat?
During blowing, the weekly routine becomes a two to three day routine for deshedding, while other checks stay weekly. Deshed in sections every two to three days, in short sessions of 15 to 20 minutes, removing loose undercoat, checking skin, and pausing when the dog tires. Keep combing to skin, friction checks, and face and paw checks on the weekly schedule, so they are not neglected during intensive deshedding. Increase home cleaning, as in the shedding course, and plan grooming outdoors or on a sheet to contain hair. Allow rest days between desheds, so skin can settle, and do not deshed daily for long sessions. If the dog cannot tolerate the frequency needed, book a groomer deshed, and reduce home frequency to maintenance. Note the start and end of blowing, the frequency that worked, and any skin or tolerance issues, so next blowing can be planned. The routine should return to weekly combing as blowing settles, without a sudden stop in grooming, because new coat needs care as it grows in.
| Week type | Combing and deshedding | Other checks |
|---|---|---|
| Normal week | Weekly comb to skin, sections, rake | Friction, paws, face, mouth, nails |
| Blowing week | Deshed every 2 to 3 days, sections, short sessions | Weekly friction, paws, face, mouth, nails, plus skin checks each deshed |
| Post blowing week | Weekly comb, check new coat growth | Friction, paws, face, mouth, nails, note coat density |
| Wet or muddy week | Extra drying and combing after wetting | Friction and paw checks after walks |
How should the routine be split across the week?
Split the routine to suit the dog and the household. A practical split is: one main combing session midweek, a shorter friction and paw check after a walk on another day, and a brief face and mouth check on a third day. During blowing, add deshedding sessions on set days, such as every other day, keeping each session short. Keep the same order within each session, so the dog learns the pattern, and keep the same place, time, and finish signal where possible. Involve one main handler, with other household members learning the same steps before taking over. Children can help with treats, holding a lead, or recording, but should be supervised and should follow the same gentle handling. A visible schedule, such as a note on a calendar, helps the routine survive busy weeks. If a session is missed, resume the next day without doubling the next session, because a doubled session will tire the dog and risk skin irritation. A routine split across the week is more sustainable than a routine that depends on one free day.
How do you keep records that make the routine useful?
Keep records simple: date, what was done, findings, and next action. A notebook, a grooming record, or a calendar with ticks and notes is enough. Record combing, deshedding, bathing, nail checks, and any skin, coat, or behaviour change. Bring records to vet and groomer appointments, so they can see pattern and frequency. Review records monthly: is combing happening weekly, are friction areas being checked, are mats recurring in the same place, is the coat density changing? Adjust the routine based on records, not on memory or assumption. If records show that a task is consistently missed, change the schedule to make it easier, such as splitting it or moving it to a different day, rather than recording it as a failure. Records also help when a carer takes over: written instructions on tools, order, frequency, and stop rules ensure continuity. A routine that is recorded is a routine that can be improved, and improvement over months is what keeps a double coat healthy for years.
When should you stop and get help?
Contact a groomer or vet if the weekly routine reveals mats, skin change, coat thinning, pain, or handling difficulty, or if the owner cannot keep up with the routine without distressing the dog. Do not increase frequency or force to compensate for a missed routine, and do not clip or use blades to catch up. A groomer can provide a professional deshed, a trim to keep the coat manageable, and a demonstration of technique, while a vet can assess skin and coat problems. The weekly routine is maintenance, and its limits are reached when professional help is needed to keep the coat safe and comfortable.
Weekly combing to skin, friction checks, and short, predictable sessions, with more frequent deshedding during blowing, form a routine that a double coated dog can accept and that keeps undercoat from packing.
Further reading
- American Kennel Club, grooming guidance
- RSPCA, dog care advice