Grooming Tips

  1. As soon as your dog becomes a member of your family, groom your pet daily. Make it part of the daily ritual, like eating, taking walks, and playing. If it’s a busy day, then just do it briefly. Make it a fun experience. That will help professional dog grooming seem an extension of this home care.
  2. If daily grooming is too time-consuming, then do it two or three times a week. It should be part of the dog’s normal routine.
  3. Some dogs have skin that is easily irritated. Be careful not to brush the skin, just the fur. Make sure the brush is a soft one.
  4. After you brush the entire coat, run a metal comb through the fur. You may discover some knots and tangles you’ve missed. Instead of yanking them out with a comb, break them up with a brush. Combing out knots will cause discomfort and your dog will not enjoy being groomed.
  5. Use a metal comb with wide teeth for maximum effectiveness. Small combs are difficult to use for most pet owners, and should be left to the professionals.
  6. Do not bathe your dog, unless the dog is combed out first. There is a good chance that the knots will become matts. Matts tighten up like felt. A dirty coat is much easier to comb out than a clean matted coat, and much less uncomfortable for your pet.
  7. If you aren’t able to frequently groom your pet, then — depending on the breed — have it professionally groomed every four to six weeks, rather than the usual eight weeks.
  8. Grooming is an essential part of pet ownership. Eight weeks is far too long to wait between brushing or combing your dog. Unfortunately, groomers aren’t magicians and can’t comb out difficult matts. The groomer will be forced to shave that area since combing out matts is cruel.
  9. Puppies need to be introduced to the groomer at an early age — between three and four months. This gets them accustomed to the grooming table, get used to the strong professional dryers that are used, and the environment of a grooming establishment.
  10. Elderly dogs need to be groomed a bit more frequently than when they were younger. They have less patience and often can’t stand for long periods of time.