Fall Dog Care: Shedding Season and Cooler-Weather Walks

Mid-September is the turn of the season for dogs. The light is changing, the evenings are finally cool enough for a real walk, and if you have a shedding breed, you have probably already noticed more fur on the couch than there was in August. Both of those shifts happen in the same few weeks, and both are easy to stay ahead of with a small routine and a couple of simple tools. Here is how to set up your dog's fall.

Why fall shedding catches people off guard

Dogs adjust their coats as daylight shortens, which means the fur that carried them through summer starts to let go right as you are spending more time outdoors together. The fix is not a single marathon grooming session. It is a short, regular pass that pulls loose hair out before it ends up on your rug.

• Groom in short sessions several times a week rather than one long one.
• Work in the direction the coat grows, and go gently around the tail, face and belly.
• Do it outside or in a room that is easy to sweep.
• Keep the session pleasant and end it before your dog gets restless.

Two tools that cover most coats

For dogs who are nervous about brushes, a Pet Grooming Glove is the gentlest way in. It slips onto your hand with an adjustable wrist strap and uses 255 soft silicone tips, so grooming feels more like petting than brushing. The five-finger design helps you reach awkward spots like the tail and face, it works on long, short and curly coats, and the collected hair peels off the glove in one piece when you are done. It can also be used during a bath.

For thicker or longer coats that need more bite, the Self Cleaning Pet Hair Removal Comb uses stainless steel bristles capped with soft rubber tips to protect the skin, and the design helps prevent static in dry autumn air. The part that makes it worth keeping on the shelf: press the button and the bristles retract into the head, so the collected fur lifts straight off instead of being picked out by hand. The handle has a non-slip grip, which matters when you are working through a heavy coat.

Making the most of cooler walks

Fall is the best walking weather of the year, and it is worth taking advantage of while it lasts. Longer daily walks, a weekend trail, a slow loop around the neighborhood after dinner — this is the season for all of it.

A Retractable Dog Leash gives your dog room to explore without giving up control. It comes in 10-foot and 16-foot lengths with a durable nylon rope and a rust-proof swivel hook, and the ABS handle is shaped with four finger recesses so your thumb rests naturally on the switch. You can let out or lock in the line with that thumb alone, which is handy when you need to shorten up fast for a passing bike or another dog. It is built for small and medium dogs and other pets up to 66 pounds, and works just as well for jogging, hiking and camping as for a stroll around the block.

A few minutes of grooming and a good leash are most of what fall dog care asks of you. Browse the VIGOR collection to put your kit together before the weather really turns.