Grooming a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy

Managing shedding effectively comes down to three things — the right deshedding tool for the coat type, a consistent brushing routine, and in some cases a diet that supports coat health. The wrong tool for the coat type does nothing. What breed is your dog, what's the coat like (single, double, long, short), and how often are you currently brushing?

Good timing — starting now while she's young is genuinely the best thing you can do. Berners have a long double coat, and once that adult coat comes in properly (usually from around 6 months), you'll be dealing with a thick, dense undercoat that sheds heavily, especially in spring and autumn. The habits you build now will make adult grooming much easier for both of you. A couple of quick questions: is she comfortable being handled and brushed already, or is she still wriggly and resistant? And are you brushing her all over — legs, chest, behind the ears — or mostly just the back?

That's a solid foundation — a calm puppy who accepts brushing is half the battle. The legs, armpits, and behind the ears are exactly where Berners mat first, so getting her used to those areas now is important. For her current puppy coat, a soft slicker brush is fine. But the tool you want to grow into — and can start using lightly now — is the FURminator Long Hair Deshedding Tool for Large Dogs. It's specifically designed to reach through the topcoat and pull loose undercoat out before it ends up on your sofa. For a Berner it's the single most effective tool you can own. Use the slicker brush first to detangle, then finish with the FURminator to pull dead undercoat. Two to three times a week now, daily during seasonal shedding. That routine, started at three months, means she'll be completely relaxed about thorough grooming by the time her adult coat arrives.

At three months, diet matters more than supplements. If she's on a high-quality puppy food with good protein and omega fatty acids, her coat will reflect that. Salmon oil is worth adding — a small daily dose over her food supports skin and coat health and is safe from puppyhood. But honestly, at this stage the grooming habit is far more important than any supplement. Get the FURminator, use it regularly, and make sure those awkward spots — legs, armpits, collar area — are part of every session. That's what will make the difference when she's fully grown.

You're setting her up well. One last tip: keep sessions short for now — five to ten minutes is plenty at her age. Finish before she gets bored so she always associates it with something positive. By the time she's shedding her first adult coat, she'll be completely unfazed by a thorough groom.