Facts
QUESTION: Should I bathe my dog inbetween trips to the groomer?
It depends. You can bathe your dog inbetween trips to the groomer as long as you fully brush and comb out your dog's hair during the drying process. If your dog has long hair or hair that is prone to matting up such as maltese, bichons, poodle hybrids, etc then it is better to wait for the trip to the groomer than to bathe them without FULLY combing and brushing their hair.
QUESTION: How often should my dog get groomed?
Dogs that have hair like labrador retreivers, german shepards, beagles, and pugs every 2 to 3 months depending on the rate of shedding. Some owners of dogs like these bring them in every month to keep them virtually shed free. We offer a SHED-LESS program that significantly reduces shedding.
Dogs that have hair like poodles, maltese, border collies, cocker spaniels, schnauzers, etc. should be groomed every 6 to 8 weeks. This should be maintained to prevent mats from occuring which could lead to having to shave down the dog. Also more trips to the groomer allows us to help the dog get uses to the grooming process and thus reduce the stress on the dog during the grooming process.
What is ear hair and should I be concerned about it?
Dogs that have ear hair such as poodles, shih tzus, bichons, etc. need to have this ear hair plucked clear from the ear canal. You should be concerned because if it isn't removed then the ear wax builds up excessively and can cause ear infections or worse. This should be done at every grooming appointment.
Do you express anal glands?
Yes, but only upon request. Most dogs naturally express their anal glands when they defecate. If you start expressing the anal glands that are already properly functioning, then this may cause your dog to require this to be done whereas before they did not require expressed.
How long will it take to get my dog groomed?
Anywhere from 1 hour to 6 hours. Easier dogs to groom such as pugs, small beagles, and short haired chihuahuas can usually get groomed quite quickly. But larger dogs that require lifting and have more surface area with hair on it the time increases. Any dogs that require scissoring usually take 3 to 4 hours. Dogs that require a lot f scissoring such as standard poodles can take up to 4 to 6 hours to groom.
Also remember that grooming dogs is similar to working with children because they usually won't sit still, they sometimes will bite, sometimes have accidents (pee or defecate in the cage), they would rather be playing than having to get a bathe and on and on. All of these factors which hard to control immediately increase the time that it takes to groom the dogs.
Grooming scissors are extremely sharp and groomers have to use extreme care when scissoring on a dog's body especially considering around a dog's eyes and feet. Otherwise one mistake could mean a trip to the vet. Due to this fact scissoring on a dog should NEVER be rushed and therefore adds to the time it takes to safely groom your dog.
How to you keep soap out of my dogs eyes?
We only use tearless shampoo on the dog's head and face to protect the eyes from any irritation.
