Fido Dog Blog – The dogs are online!

Successful Grooms Start at Home!

Every step of putting Fido’s Gray Dog Grooming together was taken with an eye on the comfort and safety of the dogs that come to visit us, but did you know there are several things you can do to set your dog up for a successful groom before it’s time for his haircut?

First, come say hi before it’s grooming time! Bring Fido in to eat a treat, scope the space, and meet me before I need to put him in the tub. Starting with a low key visit helps dogs feel more comfortable in the salon. Scheduling a nail trim or a brush out is also a good first visit that doesn’t include the intensive handling of a full groom.

Does your dog get anxious in new situations? A calming supplement like ProQuiet or melatonin might help take the edge off. If your dog takes medication for anxiety, time the dosage around his appointment. This goes for pain medication, as well. Giving his regular pain pill in advance of the visit will help preempt the soreness that can come from the gentle manipulation of lifting paws and moving limbs. Speak with your vet to see if an additional dose is advised before or after the groom.

Exercise before the appointment is also advised! A dog who has burned some energy off will feel calmer.

When it’s time to drop Fido off, make a low key exit. After we chat about what your dog needs that day, say goodbye calmy and go without a dramatic farewell. I know you may feel guilty leaving him or nervous about how things will go but I promise your dog is in safe hands with me! A big goodbye worries your dog, who wonders why you are upset. Almost every dog is fine within minutes of their person leaving, and I let the nervous ones acclimate for a bit before putting them on the table.

Finally, keep up on brushing at home and make regular appointments! If every visit with me includes dematting or a shave down your dog is going to dread the sight of our building because it means they’re in for a lengthy visit. Frequent visits keep your dog in better shape and make the experience faster and more pleasant for him.

Mats, Tangles, and Snarls

A matted dog is more than an aesthetic issue. Tight mats pull at the skin, effect mobility, and can even cause injury if left unaddressed. Let’s look at the areas where fur commonly tangles up and talk about how to prevent it!

Neck: Collars mash long fur down, and friction causes it to mat. Silky coated dogs can get “ball mats” behind their ears from their collars riding up. Take your dog’s collar off daily for brushing.
Armpits and groin: these areas are often neglected during brushing because they’re hard to get to even on a cooperative dog! Keep these areas clipped clean, you only see them for belly rubs anyhow!
Sanitary areas: under the tail, around genitals, and the “pants” of long-haired pups can get pretty yucky. These are also areas to keep clean, short, and neat. If you like fluffy fur on your dog’s backside be sure to brush it!
Beards and moustaches: food gets stuck, then the dog scratches at it which smashes more fur into it. Add a trip to the water bowl and you have a big, stinky mess of a beard! Remember how powerful your dog’s nose is; if his face smells bad to you imagine how much stronger that scent is to him! Comb your dog’s beard out daily to prevent debris from building up.
Between the toes: another place we don’t normally think to brush! Big clumps of fur between the toes makes walking painful, and dogs will chew their feet trying to get the mat out. This just makes things worse! During brushing, gently run your brush over the top of your dog’s foot, from his toenails towards his leg. This will pull the fur up and out so you can keep it tangle-free. You can also run a comb between each toe, drawing the fur to the top of the foot. This is not an area to stick scissors into! The webbing there is very delicate and easy to knick. If you see a mat in the fur you’ve pulled to the top of the foot, cut it from there or let the groomer take care of it.

If your dog is currently matted, know that a “fresh start” is often the kindest option. Picking deep mats out is painful, as it tugs at the dog’s skin and can even cause tearing in areas with thin skin or on elderly dogs. Heavily matted fur restricts blood flow and can hide underlying issues like sores or growths that you may not see. Knots in the armpit and “leg pits” can bind, preventing the dog from walking normally or causing discomfort with every step. Be cautious in cutting mats out at home. Besides leaving holes in the coat, it can be tricky to know where the mat stops and the skin begins because the mat pulls skin into it.

Different fur textures mat in different ways, but any coat with length can snarl up. If a long coat is too much to keep up with at home, regular trips to the groomer (4 to 6 weeks is the recommended schedule) will keep your dog in good condition. You don’t have to book a haircut every time, a “face feet and fanny” or even just a thorough brush-out will do! While you’re in, I can show you how what tools to use and how to brush to prevent mats and keep your pup looking and feeling good!