The CurlyWags Method
You've been told that the only way to keep your dog mat-free is to dry brush out the curls every day. Yes, that can work for some dogs - but what if there was a better way?
Our patent-pending Curlywags Method is a gentle, time-saving grooming process designed specifically for curly coats. It reduces over-brushing and pain, while extending tangle-free and mat-free time between sessions, resulting in longer-lasting, springy curls and smoother waves.
For personalised guidance on taking care of your curly canine, book a curl consultation here
How does it work?
Follow this simple flowchart to keep your dog's curls healthy & looking great over time.
Our method revolves around CurlyWags Wash Days & Curl Refreshes - sessions where you'll take care of your dog's curls. Read on to learn more about how each of them work!
Wash Day
The heart of our method is the Wash Day - once every 2 weeks (or so), you'll detangle & hydrate your dog's curls using our Curl Magic Cream, setting them into place in a way that doesn't require daily brushing between wash days.
In fact, we recommend NOT to brush your dog every day when using the CurlyWags method - this will actually pull the curls out of their curl patterns and cause the coat to mat MORE quickly.
Set aside an hour or two depending on your dog's size, coat condition, and brushing tolerance.
Take a look at our tutorial video below, or read the step-by-step later in the page.
CurlyWags Wash Day Tutorial Video:
Curl Refresh
Between wash days, you'll refresh your dog's curls so they stay mat-free for longer. This simple process only takes 15 minutes!
Do it once a week between wash days, or more often if needed.
How to Curl Refresh
- Spray your dog's dry coat all over with Curl Magic Mist spray.
- Either rake through with your fingers, or use a curly coat brush to brush into the coat.
- Make sure you rake or brush in the spray all the way down to the roots!
It's as simple as that.
A Quick Note
A quick note: we love the excellent work groomers do! But most groomers aren't yet familiar with our method (we're working to change that).
When you take your curly dog to the groomer, assuming your dog doesn't need to be shaved, the groomer going to use standard grooming methods that "blow out" the coat and pull the curls out of their patterns.
This looks great but can mat up quickly when using our method. To prevent this, always do a curl refresh less than 48 hours after taking your dog to a groomer. Alternatively, you can dampen your dog's coat and apply Curl Magic Cream. The goal is to reverse the blow-out and create defined curl patterns. From there, you can continue the CurlyWags method as normal!
Wash Day - Step By Step
Here's some more in-depth information on how to do the wash day.
Step 1: Shampoo & Condition
Time: 10-20 minutes
- Apply shampoo and work through with fingertips or a scalp brush.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Apply conditioner generously. Gently brush through with a curly coat brush.
- Do not rinse the conditioner out.
- We recommend the brands Wild Wash and Earth Bath
Step 2: Brush
Time: 30-90 minutes
- Use a curly coat brush to fully detangle the coat, employing the layer brushing technique.
- Work section by section - don’t forget the underside, inner legs, and armpits.
- After brushing, rinse out the conditioner thoroughly & pat your dog dry with a towel (preferably microfiber), until no longer dripping wet but still damp.
- We'll be launching our own CurlyWags brush soon. Sign up for the waitlist here.
Step 3: Apply Curl Cream
Time: 5-10 minutes
- For each section, dispense a small dollop of Curl Magic Cream on your hand and spread the cream on the coat using a raking motion.
- Make sure the cream reaches all the way to the roots.
- Use a generous amount of cream.
Step 4: Blow-Dry (optional but recommended)
Time: 15-30 minutes
- Using a diffuser or normal blow dryer without any attachment, for 10-15 minutes, blow dry each area on medium heat from a distance of a foot or so (~30cm). It is important not to blow dry from too close during this phase to maintain curl shape!
- Next, using a normal blow dryer set to low heat, blow dry each area from a few inches away (5-10cm). During this phase, do not leave the blow dryer in the same spot for more than 5 seconds. Continue until you are satisfied with your dog's dryness.
- Don't forget the armpits and inner legs.
- Remember never to point a blow dryer directly into your dog’s eyes, ears, or nose.