There are many methods of drying. The method you use will depend on what equipment you have and the type of coat your dog has. The better you towel-dry your dog, the faster he will dry. Avoid rubbing vigorously on a long-coated dog, as this tends to tangle the hair. If your dog has very short hair or a smooth coat, you can rub more vigorously with the towel. If you need a second towel, rewrap your dog and hold her for a few minutes while the towel wicks up any moisture left. This will save you a lot of time blow-drying your dog.

Next, put a dry towel on the table or surface you are working on so your dog can stand on it and any water left will fall to the towel.

High Velocity

If you have a high velocity dryer, such as the pros use, you can sweep water from the dog's coat quickly and easily and also use it to stretch the hair straight and fluff it. High velocity dryers allow you to see the skin as you dry, so you can see if there are any skin problems or irritations. You can see any ticks that you may have missed earlier or any warts or bumps to be aware of.

High velocity dryers blow hair out from the middle and you can see the dog's skin.

Dry to the Skin

Note how the hair is blown out from the middle and straightens. This makes all the water blow out and away from the skin and the dog will dry faster. You can clearly see the skin on the dog in the photograph on page 67, and his hair will be straight and fluffy when done.

Human Hair Dryers

If you are using a regular blow dryer for human hair, be sure not to have it set on high heat, as this can easily burn the dog. When you use a regular hair dryer, you need to keep moving the dryer around so you don't burn the dog's skin. Once you have the hair almost dry, you can brush the hair as you dry it to fluff it up or straighten it.

Skin Folds

Folds on breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, Pekingese, Shih-Tzu, and Shar-Pei need to be carefully cleaned and dried to prevent moisture from accumulating and growing bacteria and yeast. Be especially careful to dry the folds of the skin on the Chinese Shar-Pei. Use your hands during the blow-drying process to open the folded skin and dry with a moderate heat. Once the dog is dry, some groomers apply a very light amount of powder or cornstarch to the skin within the folds to help keep the area dry and free from damp skin irritation. Remember, use a light amount if you decide to use any at all.