10 Ways How to Stop a Dog From Shedding: Real-Life Fixes That Actually Work

You love your dog. Obviously.
But the hair on your black leggings, on your bed, in your coffee mug somehow? Yeah... that’s another story.

If you've vacuumed twice in one day, lint-rolled yourself out the door, and still found fur floating across your kitchen floor, I see you. You are not alone.

So if you're wondering how to stop a dog from shedding without spending hundreds at the groomer — you're in the right place.

Over here, we’ve stopped stressing about the perfect fix — and started focusing on a simple routine that actually helps.
No overpriced grooming appointments. No complicated gadgets. Just a few low-effort habits that really cut down the fur.

Here’s what’s worked for us:

I used to think brushing was brushing. Grab whatever tool you have, do a few swipes, done. But nope — most brushes barely touch the undercoat. I was basically just petting her while loose fur kept piling up.

Eventually, we landed on this soft rubber-tipped shower brush. It actually pulls up the hair underneath without tugging, and my dog doesn’t flinch or try to run away. She even leans into it now, which feels like a win.

Also: you don’t have to bathe them to use it. I often brush her dry — in the yard, on the porch, wherever she’s chilling — and it’s weirdly satisfying watching the fur lift off in clumps.

Even with a good brush, we still had days where she shed more than usual. Her skin was flaky, especially in winter, and brushing alone didn’t cut it.

One day I tried massaging in a little bit of hydrating serum before brushing, just to see. It helped — a lot. The fur lifted easier, there was way less dust and dander, and she clearly enjoyed the extra attention.

Sometimes I rub it in before brushing, other times during or even after — depending on how her coat feels. It’s a small step that makes brushing go way smoother.

I used to think more baths = less shedding. But all they did was dry out her skin and make the problem worse.

Now we bathe only when necessary — like after a muddy hike or beach day — and rely on regular dry brushing the rest of the time. It turns out brushing with a flexible, skin-friendly brush gets way more done than I expected. It doesn’t feel like a chore anymore, and the dog doesn’t dread it either.

If her skin looks a little irritated, I’ll rub in a small amount of serum and leave it at that.

This took a while to click — but once we adjusted her food, everything changed. We switched to something with more real protein and healthy fats, and her coat actually started looking shinier. Flakiness? Pretty much gone.

I still brush her regularly and use the serum when needed, but now it feels like all those habits are actually working because her skin’s healthier from the inside out.

Seems basic, but staying hydrated makes a noticeable difference. On cold days or during busy weeks, I noticed her fur would get dull and more fur came off when brushing.

So now, there’s always an extra water bowl nearby. And when I brush her (especially if she’s been dry or itchy), I sometimes use a tiny bit of serum to help soothe things on the outside while she stays hydrated on the inside.

If she’s already relaxed after a walk or zoomies in the yard, brushing is way easier. No chasing her around the house or coaxing her with snacks — she’s just mellow and happy to lean into it.

That’s when I grab the brush and do a quick once-over. A little fur comes off every time, and it keeps things from getting out of hand later.

Our dog has claimed a very specific section of the couch, and instead of fighting it, I threw down a soft blanket. That way, the fur builds up there, not into the cushions.

Every couple of days, I shake it out and wash it. Sometimes, I’ll even brush her while she’s lying on it. It’s cozy for her, and cleanup is so much easier for me.

I never thought a leave-in spray or serum would be something I used on my dog — but here we are.

Turns out, brushing doesn’t always do the job on its own. On days when she seems extra itchy or her coat looks dry, I’ll rub in a little serum. You can use it before brushing to help loosen fur, during to help glide the brush, or after to calm everything down.

She loves the massage part. I love not finding fur in my morning coffee.

Winter air (or blasting heat indoors) makes everything feel dry — including your dog’s skin. We started using a small humidifier in the living room and it helped more than I expected. Less scratching, less flaking, less mess overall.

I still keep up with brushing and her coat care, but the humidifier just supports all the other stuff we’re already doing.

Honestly, none of this works if I don’t do it consistently. I used to skip a week… then two… then suddenly the couch was wearing a full fur coat.

So now I keep the brush visible — near the leash or food bowl — and aim to do a quick brush-down a few times a week. Some days I add a little serum if her skin seems dry. Some days it’s just a quick 60 seconds before dinner.

It’s part of our rhythm now — not a big to-do. And that’s what makes it stick.

There’s no magic fix for shedding (trust me, I looked). But the right mix of small habits adds up — and when you build them into your everyday routine, they stop feeling like work.

For us, it’s brushing often, watching hydration, and giving her skin a little extra care when it needs it. She’s happier. I’m vacuuming less. And I can wear black again.