A few dog grooming facts
Did you know:
- Dead undercoat that is not removed with reqular brushing will develop into matting.
- Friction, (by petting or a collar) will cause matts to develop and bathing, without brushing first, will make this condition worse.
- All pets shed, even if you don’t see any hair on the furniture or floor.
- If you keep your pet’s hair shorter in winter it will keep him warm by insulation and will dry quicker from his own body heat. Matted and longer coats will hold water longer.
- That frequent bathing will not dry out the oils in the dog’s coat.
- Regular brushing ensures that loose hair is removed from your pet’s coat which prevents knots and matting.
Did you know: That un-brushed pets develop matting because the dead undercoat does not fall out of the living coat? Friction, patting, and static electricity all help to tangle the coat. Running at the beach and swimming all contribute to matted coats.
Did you know: That all pets shed, even if you don’t see any hair on the furniture or floor? This hair should be removed by regular brushing.
It is best to go through the hair section by section, and brush from the skin and away from the body. If you are able to put a fine tooth comb into the coat at the skin and comb to the ends of the hair, you will be sure that you have removed any dead hair and tangles.
Did you know: That you may have options to deal with a matted coat…Brush-out or Shaving? (Some coats can not be brushed out due to extreme matting). A few matts/tangles may be able to be removed with brushing and combing. If it has been over 2 months since a professional groom, it may not be possible to brush out the matting in one session and most people then opt to have the coat removed with clippers.
Did you know: That brushing mats out takes extra time, and you pay an extra fee to have it done? Even if you had your pet shaved, but still wanted to keep the hair long on the ears and tail…there could be a de-mat fee? These are sensitive areas that require time to tease out tangles.
Did you know: That keeping the hair to about 1 inch keeps an outside dog warm in the winter because the hair will usually not mat, but will insulate him like a blanket and will dry from his own body heat? Keeping the hair longer results in matts and tangles and takes much longer to dry out.
Did you know: That you are not a bad pet owner if your pet has a few mats? There is a solution. I can help by showing you how to brush to remove all that dead undercoat.
How to Help your dog to love the grooming process
Regular handling of your dog will get him to enjoy the grooming process. Gently touch all areas of his body including his feet, tail and head/ears. While going over your pet you can also check these areas for knots, burrs, cuts or sores before they become a problem.
How can I control the fleas on my dog?
Fleas spend most of their life living on the ground so not only do the fleas on your dog need to be eliminated but also in their environment. I will wash your dog with a flea treatment shampoo that will kill all the fleas on the dog. I recommend that you go home and clean the dogs bedding and use a flea bomb in home and a spray for the outside areas to kill all flea eggs. I also recommend that you use a product such as Advantage on the back of your dogs withers/neck to break the flea cycle. You will need to follow this regime for a couple of months to rid your home and dog of fleas. Any other animals in the home need to be treated as well. Often it is a wandering cat that brings home the fleas.
How often should my dog’s nails be clipped?
All dog’s nails grow at different rates depending on the dog’s environment, breed and age. Nail trimming should be done regularly to avoid scratching and broken nails. I also use a dremel tool to grind back the nails. The longer you leave the nail the longer the quick will grow. You need to keep the nail short to get the quick to recede.
If I wash my dog weekly, will that dry out the oils in my dog’s coat?
No,The shampoos we use are very gentle on your dog’s skin/hair and can be used frequently. Rinsing well is very important. Regular brushing will also ensure that your dog will be rid of excess hairs and free from knots and matts.
My dog is really scared of water and hates to be bathed, can you help?
I find that reluctant dogs that don’t want to get in the bath, haven’t been trained to love the process. I start slowly, without frightening the dog, and they learn that the bath is nice and warm and they get a lovely scratch and scrub while there. I make it a pleasurable experience for your dog. Lots of warm water, praise and fun. Doggie treats after a warm towell rub.
My dog’s coat has knots and matts, how can I look after her in between her baths?
Dogs need to be regularly brushed, particularly long haired dogs and those with thick undercoats. I can demonstate which brushes and combs will work on your dog and the correct way to groom thru the coat. I can suggest a grooming schedule that will keep your pet in tip top condition.