Every dog requires at least some grooming to maintain their health and happiness. Grooming shouldn’t be a negative experience for your dog, whether you take them to a groomer or do it yourself. Do you know how to set your puppy up for a lifetime of dog grooming success? Are you aware of how your dog’s grooming should change as he ages? Do you know how to find a groomer who will be a great fit for your dog’s needs? … Read more
Dog groomers in various states are now allowed to start seeing clients. Governors are reopening certain types of businesses in calculated geographical areas of their states. This lifting of closures is a welcome change for these small business owners as well as those that have shaggy dogs, badly in need of some grooming. But things are definitely different than they were before. Groomers must put extra precautions in place to protect themselves and their clients, human and canine alike. A … Read more
Some pet services have been deemed essential during COVID-19, such as boarding kennels and dog daycares. Grooming salons, however, have been forced to temporarily shut their doors. There are many ways dog parents can keep their dogs clean, comfortable, and snuggly fresh during the stay-at-home order. We asked a professional groomer and pet salon owner to weigh in with his advice. GG’s Pet Salon’s Owner is Our Expert Gavin Hardy is a professional certified groomer who recently opened his own … Read more
For years we’ve endured a severe lack of good dog-related television. Fortunately, the universe has finally answered our prayers, and then some. A reality show that’s all about dog-grooming and the people who do it is about to hit the small screen! “Pooch Perfect” is a reality TV competition in which ten professional dog stylists will compete against each other in themed challenges. If that’s not enough of a hook for you, it’s also going to have a killer host: comedian … Read more
All dogs need at least a little bit of grooming over the course of their lifetime, even if it’s only regular nail trims and the occasional bath. Whether you groom your dog yourself or take them to a groomer, it should be a positive experience for your dog. Unfortunately, things can go wrong and accidents can happen. Luckily, there are things you can do to help ensure your dog stays safe during a grooming session. Tips for grooming your dog … Read more
While hairballs are less common in dogs than in cats, dogs can get hairballs. What sort of dogs are more prone to hairballs? What causes hairballs? Should you be worried if your dog vomits one up? How can you prevent hairballs in your dog? Don’t worry, we have the answers you’re looking for. Here’s what you need to know about hairballs in dogs. What is a hairball? When a dog (or a cat) licks or chews on themselves, they may … Read more
All dogs shed. Now, dogs that have hair that grows continuously such as Poodles, Bichons, Shih Tzus, and Yorkies shed very little, and what they do shed tends to get trapped in the rest of their hair instead of winding up on your sofa, but they do shed a little bit. Some breeds of dogs shed A LOT, usually with the change of the seasons, such as Golden Retrievers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Shelties, and German Shepherds. Other dogs just shed … Read more
There are many wonderful advantages to having a long-haired pooch. They’re fun to snuggle, many breeds shed less than their short-haired cousins, and with proper care and grooming, they are exceptionally beautiful. On the downside, all that extra hair can act like velcro, collecting leaves, dirt, and worst of all, poop. So, should you wipe a dog’s bottom in this scenario? Has your long-haired dog ever fallen victim to the dreaded “poop butt”? If so, read on for tips and … Read more
Does the thought of giving your dog a bath make you cringe? Does the phrase “bath time” make your dog run and hide? It doesn’t have to be that way. Changing up your routine a little bit can make a world of difference in improving the entire bath time experience for both you and your dog. Eventually, your dog can learn that a bath is a rewarding experience, and you can enjoy bonding with your dog instead of struggling with … Read more
Grooming your dog is a crucial part of caring for them, and failing to do it can lower their quality of life. Grooming your dog regularly could even help save their life if you spot lumps, bumps, or disease-causing ticks. Taking your dog to the groomer can be time-consuming and expensive (but if you need a little outside help, here are some tips for finding the best groomer for your dog). Luckily, there are a lot of things you can do … Read more
Life is so busy and hectic these days; who has time to brush the dog? It’s understandable to feel that way, but once you are aware of all the benefits of brushing your dog, you’ll make the time. After all, you would do anything for your dog to have the best possible life, right? If you have a puppy or a dog who hates to be brushed, you may need to start off slow, with just a few minutes of … Read more
“How often should I bathe my dog?” It’s the type of question that every dog owner asks from time to time, and it’s one with no simple answer. It depends on a variety of factors ranging from their breed to their health to their lifestyle. If your dog hates bath time, you may want to go longer between baths, but how long is too long? If you like a very clean dog, how often is too often to wash your … Read more
All dogs shed to some extent, but double-coated dog breeds like Siberian Huskies, Samoyeds, Akitas, and Malamutes put all the rest to shame! These pups “blow their coats” with the changing of the seasons. Unlike dogs with single-layered coats, double-coated breeds have a soft undercoat to help provide warmth in cold climates, and a longer top layer consisting of coarse guard hairs. Coat blow differs from everyday shedding in that it involves the hair coming out in large clumps rather than individual strands. … Read more
A fresh haircut and a relaxing mani-pedi is a welcome change from the stresses of our day-to-day lives, but grooming services can have the opposite effect on our dogs. There are several reasons why a dog may experience fear and anxiety during grooming. The pet salon is full of strange sights, sounds, and smells, not to mention other animals giving off their own auras of stress. Some dogs may have had a negative experience in the past such as a … Read more
Does your dog shed excessively? Most dogs shed at least a little, but some breeds shed more than average. After you’ve ruled out health issues like allergies, immune disease, or parasites (like fleas), there are some steps you can take to reduce your dog’s shedding. From WikiHow, WebMD, and Drs Foster and Smith, here are some ways to limit the amount of dog hair floating around your house. 1 – Change their diet. Many cheap dog foods are made … Read more
Fur dying is not a new trend, and it doesn’t seem to be going away. Some people may think that coloring their pet’s fur is a fun way to make a statement, but if you asked your companion, he’s probably happy just being a dog and doesn’t want to be a rainbow tiger or a triceratops. We all love our pets differently, and people will continue to debate whether “furjazzling” their pets is okay, but we have three reasons you should … Read more
Does your dog run and hide every time you tell them it’s bath time? Do they spend the entire bath trying to climb out of the tub? Do you wind up wetter than them by the end of it all? While some dogs will never like getting a bath, there are things you can do to help your dog adjust to the process so they at least tolerate it better. Here are 5 ways to make bath time more enjoyable … Read more
When spring and summer roll around, does it feel like your pup sheds an entire dog’s worth of fur daily? If you can relate to the picture above, your dog might be experiencing excessive shedding. What Is Causing My Dog to Shed So Much During the Spring and Summer? While there are many possible root causes for heavy shedding, oftentimes diet is the main culprit. Despite the convenience of commercial dog food kibble, one of its major drawbacks lies the inability to … Read more
Regular ear cleanings are important to keeping your dog’s ear health in tip-top shape. Ear infections are relatively common among dogs and although they are caused by a variety of reasons, veterinarians insist that regular at-home cleanings can keep infections away. Just like nail trimmings, though, many dogs are uncooperative when it comes to having their ears washed. So how can you make things more enjoyable for both of you? Check out these tips. #1 – Treats – Lots of … Read more
Many dogs arrive at animal shelters after years of abuse or a lifetime on the streets. That kind of neglect can cause many severe health problems, which may in turn affect the dog’s personality and their ability to get adopted. Have you ever considered the importance of a bath and maybe a haircut for a dog that’s been neglected for so long? Dog breeds that have continuously-growing hair tend to suffer the worst consequences from years of neglect. Their hair … Read more
Summer is here, and you won’t be the only one feeling the heat. You have the option to start wearing shorts and t-shirts, but your dog may be stuck in a fur coat. Should you shave him all the way to the skin? Do you need to worry about him getting sunburned? What about short-haired or double-coated dogs – should they be shaved, too? Here’s a handy flowchart to decide if shaving your dog is the best way to keep … Read more
Are you watching hair tumbleweeds float around your house and wondering what you can do to help reduce your dog’s shedding? You’re not alone. All dogs shed a little, but some dogs shed a lot. Here are 5 tips to help reduce the amount of hair rolling across the floor. #1 – Change your dog’s food. Some cheap dog foods don’t contain proper nutrition, which can lead to excessive shedding. Many dry foods will leave your dog dehydrated unless he drinks … Read more
If you’re like many dog owners, your pup suffers from an annoying (but harmless) condition called in-between-baths-stinky-dog-syndrome. Actually, we made that up, but it is a real challenge to keep your pup smelling fresh and clean without bathing them so much that their skin dries out. At home bathings are time-consuming, and baths at the groomer can be expensive. For these reasons, we developed a product that solves a problem we ourselves have. Keeping our pups fresh and clean in … Read more
If you were under the impression that there is only one standard cut for Shih Tzus, the “puppy cut,” then you’ll be interested to see these different variations of that style and other styles that are completely different from the traditional puppy cut. Teddy bear face with a long topknot – Notice how rounded the face is – that’s the hallmark of the traditional teddy bear face. The ears can be any length. If you choose to do a topknot on … Read more
After 12 years of grooming dogs, I have worked with every breed, dealt with every situation, and answered countless questions. The most common thing new owners ask me is how often they should groom their dogs. The answer depends on what type of coat your pooch has, how much they shed, and how much brushing and bathing you are willing to do at home. Keeping in mind that all dogs, regardless of breed, should have their nails trimmed at least … Read more
Have you ever wondered why it’s more expensive to have your dog groomed than it is to get your own hair cut? There are a variety of factors leading to the price differences. Let me share a few of those reasons with you. You only get the hair on your head cut. Your hairstylist doesn’t shave your whole body. Even most small dogs have more surface area than the average human head. And small dogs can be even more difficult … Read more
Have you ever wondered what unusual tools can help you groom your dog at home? Here are five secret tools groomers use on their own dogs. Olive or coconut oil. Has your dog ever come home from a walk covered in burrs? Brushing them out can be painful for your dog. Picking them out yourself can be tough on your hands. Rubbing oil into the fur around the burrs will reduce the friction and help the burrs slide out of … Read more
Have you ever asked a groomer for a puppy cut and been given a strange look – or, worse, a bad haircut? Would you be surprised if I told you the term “puppy cut” actually doesn’t give the groomer very much information? What should you say to make sure your dog looks perfect? A puppy cut could look like this… The term puppy cut originally referred to a fluffy trim given to Poodles for the show ring before they were … Read more
If your dog sheds a lot, you’ve probably thought about shaving them to reduce the amount of hair left around your house. Maybe you thought shaving your dog would keep them cooler in the summer. Perhaps you think your dog would look cute shaved. Generally, dogs whose hair only grows to a certain length and then stops, and specifically double-coated dogs – dogs that have an undercoat that sheds out – should not be shaved. Here are three reasons why … Read more
Have you ever noticed a foul odor coming from some part of your dog’s face and wondered what was causing the smell? There are several things you should be doing with your dog regularly to keep your dog’s head and face in top condition to prevent potentially serious health problems. Wiping under your dog’s eyes daily with a warm, wet washcloth or an unscented baby wipe will help prevent their tears from turning into either slimy boogers or … Read more
