The FURminator

Yeah, it's basically a fancy slicker and expensive shampoo/conditioner, but it does work. I think. We use Shed-X at work and it seems to work quite well. I think the whole principle lies around getting more of the undercoat out and the shampoo/condtioners make the coat slicker/shinier so the loose hair comes out easier and doesn't stay trapped to shed in huge amounts.

I saw the promo video at the Pet Expo back in May, and thought about getting one because Aussies shed ALOT.

If you want a cheaper brush that I think works pretty darn well for 10 bucks, look for a rubber brush called Zoom Groom. It works with static electricity...I got more hair out of Sawyer today in 5 minutes than I have the last 3 times I've gone over him with his slicker. And no, I did not invent this...you can buy them at Petsmart and other places, been around for years.

The only conditioner that I use, mainly because it's at work and free, is called ReMo and it's by Nature's Specialities. You should be able to find a good shampoo that keeps Peanut's coat soft enough to easily brush...I generally just use the Plum Silky stuff and it works great. I only use the ReMo occasionally, and mainly for the scent it leaves.

NS: http://www.naturespecialties.com/Products/NSPlumSilkyShampoo.html

Petsmart I know for sure, most likely PetCo or any other pet store around your area. It's pretty cheap too.

Salty, huh? I have no idea why you would have a salty dog, but it's a good name for a bar!

nedim, most likely you aren't going to get odor under control just by working on it "from the outside" so to speak, or by trying to mask it. diet plays a large role as well.

something i know of that has helped a number of people is virgin (cold pressed, unrefined) coconut oil, at a dose of about 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight per day.

most health food stores carry it. make sure it is unrefined tho, or all the critical nutrients are going to be missing. it should also not be hydrogenated, and cold pressed is best.

i buy the organic kind from NOW foods, you can find a store locator here:
http://www.nowfoods.com/index.php?cat_id=190

start feeding it slowly, about 1/4 of the amount you are going to work up to. it's better to give a little bit several times a day rather than all of it at once.

and you can also use it for topical application it is also a mild disinfectant and promotes wound healing.

oh and don't be surprised - coconut oil is solid at room temperature. it looks pretty much like white wax in a jar.

It isn't a slicker brush, it is a lot like a #40 clipper blade on a handle. I use the #40 to card the dog's coat (it gets rid of all excess undercoat after you brush out the bulk of it) Using the 40 is less comfortable on your hands than the furminator brush, but it also doesn't cost $50.. lol. You'd be AMAZED at how much hair I get out of dogs using that blade, especially dogs with medium-length hair and undercoats, like Labs.

As for the shampoo system, I suppose it's worth a shot, but I don't see how it would make that big of a difference. If you get your dog bathed well, and blowdried without any conditioner, the dead hair will fluff up and be easy to brush/card out.

I wouldn't spend my money on the furminator, but that's JMO.