Making a Clean Choice

In the 1970s, many, if not most, groomers used human beauty products on their clients. One of the first and still best known dog shampoos in the pet industry is Ring 5, developed by Shirlee Kalstone and her husband, Larry. The couple was on the way to a dog show discussing the lack of quality products designed specifically for dogs’ coat and skin. Kalstone, an expert groomer, judge and handler, had been using mostly equine products on her show dogs and canine clients, but many were still too harsh for dogs. In addition, most human shampoos at that time were heavily acidic to match or increase the acidity of human hair, which tended to give dogs problems with scratching and itching, as well as dry skin and hair breaking–not good for your show poodles. 

Upon Larry’s suggestion, the couple created a line of products just for dogs. Their first products were a protein spray and a whitening cleaner spray, and then they branched out into shampoo. Larry consulted with chemists that specialized in shampoo composition, letting them know the very different needs that dogs had. Different types of hair required different ingredients, and it took some time experimenting until they got exactly what they wanted. 

I asked Kalstone why it took someone from the show side of the grooming world to come up with the idea of a shampoo intended for dogs. The answer made perfect sense. Groomers use shampoo and see how it lathers, cleans, smells and makes the coat look. It’s important that the immediate results are good, but it’s also important to know what effect a shampoo has on an animal’s coat weeks later, and handlers of show dogs are in a position to do just that. If a shampoo is drying due to harsh chemicals or incorrect pH balance, it may not show in a broken, dull coat until a few days have gone by. And if a shampoo keeps the coat healthy and gleaming for weeks, a show dog owner will certainly notice. That’s why more than one of the pioneers in dog specific shampoo began as show dog aficionados.

Choosing Shampoo

There are so many wonderful shampoos and conditioners out there, and so little shelf space! It’s hard to select which product to use on each animal, and even harder to choose the products for the entire salon. What criteria should be used to decide what to purchase?

One important consideration in purchasing shampoo is economy. There’s more than one might think to determining which shampoo is really the most cost effective for a salon’s specific needs. Dilution rate is certainly one factor, but a variable one. The manufacturer’s recommendation may not work for every shop, and is often intended only as a guideline. A higher or lower rate may be needed depending upon whether water is hard or soft, what the bather prefers, the humidity levels in the air or whether a bathing system is being used. 

The real importance of dilution rates may be debatable, as in reality the shampoo will be diluted one way or another. For example, when using shampoo full strength, the groomer will still wet the dog before and during the shampoo application process, so water has been added. Using prediluted shampoo means you probably don’t need to spray the dog with water again until it’s time to rinse, but you will use many more ounces of the diluted product to lather the dog. An ounce of shampoo straight out of the bottle used to wash a dog is the same as a pint of 16-1 diluted shampoo. 

Shipping prices must also be considered. A higher priced product purchased closer to the destination, or from a distributor with lower shipping costs, may end up being the bargain. Try to purchase more supplies from one distributor to reduce shipping costs. 

I find that what costs me money is not the shampoo I am using, but the shampoo I bought that sits on my shelf until it’s so dated I don’t dare use it. I admit it; I’m a shampoo junkie. I will even keep a gallon of shampoo that irritates my hands because I can’t throw it out–I mean, it cost me $30 and I carried it around all day at the trade show. 

The lesson here is to shop smart. Sure, check out shampoos at shows–this will allow you to see if you like the scent without having to purchase it–but remember that you can’t tell much from a bottle. How a given shampoo reacts with the water softness or hardness that you have in your specific shop can only be determined by trying it. Don’t take home those teeny one or two ounce samples; buy a few 16-oz. bottles so you can really try it on a few dogs. 

Quality & Scent

Naturally, you want a quality product, one that will help keep the animal’s coat and skin in optimum condition. A nice scent is pleasing as well, since clients have brought them for grooming, at least in part, to bring a sweeter smelling pet home. Formulas for enhancing or encouraging traits like long, straight, soft hair, a coarser terrier coat or the off-standing coat of a poodle, are desirable too. 

But keep in mind that your customers are the final purchasers of the shampoos, so your selections must appeal to them. Know what your clientele wants. Generally, they want nice scents that will last a few days. But be careful, shampoos with the highest amount of fragrance also tend to irritate pets’ skin or bathers’ hands. Also, some customers will request no scent, so you should have a shampoo on hand to suit that need. Many shampoos labeled “hypoallergenic” are no- or low-scent, in order to reduce the possibility of irritation. Customers also want a shampoo that will not dry or irritate the skin, so keep a moisturizing/hydrating shampoo on hand or use conditioner. 

In all cases, make sure that you know exactly what you are purchasing. Advertising claims may or may not acurately reflect the ingredients or performance of a shampoo, and some commonly used terms do not reflect reality. For example, the term “tearless” has come to mean “safe,” but it means only what it says–if it accidentally gets in the eyes, it will cause less tears and less pain. The term “tearless” does not mean that it is non-irritating. Shampoo labeled tearless can cause eye injuries just like any other shampoo. Although the dog may be less likely to rub the eye and paw at it, it still can be harmful. Make sure bathers are trained to use just as much care when using a tearless product. 

In addition, marketing may also emphasize a popular ingredient, such as a certain herb or fruit, when the product actually contains very little of the ingredient.

Kalstone suggests finding a product you like and sticking with it. She suggests finding a line that will cover the needs of your clients with three or four types of shampoo and a conditioner. When choosing this line, look for economy as well as quality, and don’t hesitate to ask questions. My shampoo-buying motto: Ask, then buy it and try it.  

Carol Visser is a Nationally Certified Master Groomer and Certified Pet Dog Trainer. Formerly a pet product expert for PetEdge, she and her husband Glenn now own Two Canines Pet Services in Montville, Maine, which provides grooming, boarding, training and day care services to Waldo County.