Fig 3) Slides 1 & 2 show filthy hair of a Newfoundland before being treated. Slide 3 depicts after cleaning and conditioning. Slide 4 reveals how a spray-in, leave-in application benefits by shining and keeping the cuticles closed.

Fig 4) The magic behind this method rests in how it efficiently conditions the coat repeatedly through each phase—1) shampoo, 2) conditioner, 3) finishing spray. This ensures more of the coat’s hair fibers are hydrated, strengthened, smoothed over and sealed before drying. Think of this as “Close/Further Close/Fully Close” logic.

Using this logic, groomers note how they can now safely release more shedding undercoat in the tub, especially with the high porosity hair of many double-coated breeds. Often, 30-50% of undercut can now be released in the tub with robust water pressure from a quality spray nozzle while rinsing. Coats will also dry and brush out with considerably less physical effort, appear full-bodied and stay more manageable for weeks.

Water-saturated hair becomes spongy and more prone to breakage when wet combing is applied, contrary to what many were taught. This is why it’s also critical to fully dry the coat down to the skin and hair follicles after pretreating the coat in the tub. Now you can use the dryer in place of a brush, leaving many coats free of tangles and mats. Imagine that; brushing with water and air to reduce the snap/crackle/pop of tool damage. All these benefits equate to less stress—and that’s great news for groomers and pets alike!

However, some groomers continue to rely solely on a cream rinse for tangles, mats and shedding, failing to understand or apply any science. Still others rely totally on a detangling spray while vigorously pre-brushing before the bath. The main objection to pre-brushing is that the hair’s cuticles are typically severely dry, damaged and lifted when a pet enters your salon, so why risk further damaging the hair scales by severing them with grooming tools, exposing the inner cortex or fraying split-ends?

One emerging trend for salons over the last few years has been what’s commonly referred to as the “C-O-C” method, a.k.a. “Close/Open/Close.” This method has sparked a lot of buzz on social media and further acknowledges how conditioning manipulates cuticle scales for more desirable finish effects. However, as professionals we should be very careful selecting the terms used to describe things to avoid potential misunderstandings.

I like to refer to this process as “Condition/Shampoo/Condition,” and here’s why: While conditioning notably closes lifted cuticles, the synthetic detergents groomers use is pH neutral to acidic (< 7.0 pH) and therefore will not open cuticles. Opening cuticle scales is not necessary to clean hair whatsoever. In fact, chemically lifting hair scales can be an extremely harsh process that should be avoided, especially when treating multi-coated breeds.

Consider how 75% or more of the dog breeds we encounter in the salon shed or molt their coats. Opening the coat with an alkaline grooming liquid (>7.5 pH) may not only damage hair fibers, but also make it extremely difficult to rinse, comb through or release shedding undercoat while wreaking further havoc using grooming tools.

So why would we want to lift hair cuticles open? Well, let’s look at hair coloring. A harsh alkaline solution is applied after a hot water rinse. Together this softens the hair fiber, lifting the cuticles open. Next a potent color pigment blend is added and given time to set up under the lifted scales before rinsing with cool water. A very acidic conditioner is applied next to seal in the pigment by fully closing each lifted cuticle. Conditioning regularly extends both the hair’s manageability and color retention. Harsh detergents are typically avoided in-between color treatments to prevent premature lifting and color loss.

Of course, proponents of the Condition/Shampoo/Condition method remark how notably desirable the results can be. And many have switched from using solely shampoo to using not one, but two additional conditioning treatments. To my earlier point, effective conditioning is a game changer for pet groomers!

I wholeheartedly encourage you to further explore all that can be accomplished by mindfully pretreating with shampoo and conditioners during bath time. I promise you will be thrilled with the results as you grow in confidence, understanding and experience. However, it’s important to progress at your own pace and be attentive to each pet’s unique circumstances.

So whether you opt for the Close/Further Close/Fully Closed or Condition/Shampoo/Condition method, get intimate with the results provided by each product. Remember, you’re in control, so start working smarter not harder. Have faith in hair care chemistry and start trusting your grooming liquids!

Dave Campanella is a PGC Educator, entertaining seminar speaker, popular podcast guest, and industry columnist. He is Best Shot Pet Products sales and marketing director with over 30 years of pet industry wisdom. He and his wife Tracy co-owned a full-service pet salon and self-wash in Ohio prior to relocating with Best Shot to Kentucky 20 years ago. Together they enjoy exhibiting at grooming shows, being industry ambassadors, breeding and showing Kerry Blue Terriers along with their Samoyed and Lowland Polish Sheepdog at AKC events.