Q. How frequently should I have my dog groomed?
A. It depends on the breed of your dog, his lifestyle and on how you want him to look and smell. While it’s true that a clean animal is a healthier one, excessive bathing can dry out the skin and strip it of its natural oils. Generally speaking, short-coated dogs with no skin conditions can go six to eight weeks between baths unless they have gotten into something dirty or smelly. Longer-coated dogs should be groomed every four to six weeks to ensure their hair doesn’t get matted and isn’t harboring insects or hidding skin conditions. Of course, certain haircut dogs should be groomed more often than others to maintain their appearance.

Q. Should I have my dog groomed less in the winter?
A. Actually, because of the affects of salt and snow on the animal’s body, in general more frequent groomings are called for in the winter.

Q.  Why does my dog shake his head after grooming?
A. As part of the grooming process we clean the ears and pluck hair from the ear opening (unless the owner asks us not to do so) to allow air to flow more freely into the ear to keep it dry. After cleaning and removal of the ear hair, the dog sometimes has a tickling sensation and shaking his head is the dog’s way of responding to the tickle.

Q. Is it true that dogs can get ear infections from water entering their ear canals during bathing?
A. Water in a dog’s ear canal can predispose it to infection. This is why we place cotton balls in the ear openings prior to bathing to block water from entering the ear, and then remove the cotton and clean the ears following the bath. However, most ear infections in dogs are caused from issues having nothing to do with water exposure during grooming. Floppy-eared dogs tend to have more ear problems than upright-eared dogs because air exchange is restricted by their ear flaps and an unhealthy amount of humidity will result which can create an environment for infection.

Q. Can you do anything about what appears to be dandruff on my pet?
A. We treat dandruff on pets with a shampoo developed for that purpose so we can reduce the symptoms. However, there’s an underlying cause for dandruff such as diet or a skin disorder for which you should see your veterinarian for a course of treatment.

Q. How do you get rid of fleas or ticks from my pet?
A. We remove individual ticks with tweezers. If fleas are suspected, we examine the body for “flea dirt” (dry blood that looks like sand grains) with a flea comb. If either is found, we then apply an organic flea/tick shampoo that paralyzes the insects, then shampoo thoroughly to remove any remaining, stunned/deceased fleas or ticks. You’ll then have to “fog” and vacuum your home, car, weekend place, bedding, carpets etc. to eradicate and remove any insects or their eggs lying in wait for your pet to come home to start the cycle all over again.

Q. My dog is matted but I don't want him shaved. Why can't you brush him out?
A. Because it's painful! Matting is a very serious problem for dogs. Mats left in a dog's coat only grow tighter, and can damage the skin, or even tear it open. Mats are often deceptive, hiding in areas that don't get much visual attention from owners, such as under the belly, under the tail, and in the "armpit" area. If you are not on a regular brushing regimen with your dog, you may be unaware of these "secret" mats. These mats can trap moisture, urine and fecal matter tightly against the pet's skin, allowing mold, fungus, or bacteria to grow, causing skin irritations that can be very uncomfortable for your dog. Matting is caused by a number of things. Improper brushing is one. There is a right way and a wrong way to brush certain types of coats, as well as the correct tools to use. If you bathe your pet at home, no matter what product you use, if the hair is not completely combed out before and after bathing, any mats or tangles can be worsened by the wet/dry process.

Q. When should I first have my puppy groomed?
A. We wouldn’t accept a puppy for grooming prior to completion of initial vaccinations (usually about 15-16 weeks old). Initially we’d suggest the grooming be brief, trimming the hair around the eyes, paws and anus only. The objective is to have the experience be a positive one at the outset so your pet looks forward to each future grooming experience for a lifetime. Be unemotional when you drop him off and give him a lot of praise when you pick him so you don’t telegraph anxiety at the outset and show pleasure at the end of the experience.

Q. If I bring you a perfectly healthy pet will you guarantee he will not be injured or become ill during or after grooming?
A. We wish we could give such a guarantee but we cannot. Pets are living creatures that may have unknown or undetectable, underlying conditions that can manifest themselves during the course of, or following grooming. Also, pets may move unexpectedly, and of course, grooming tools are of necessity, sharp instruments that can inadvertently cause an injury.

Q: How often should my dog's nails be trimmed?
A: Your pet's nails should be trimmed at a minimum of every four weeks. Dogs that regularly walk on pavement tend to wear down on their own, and do not need to be trimmed as frequently. Long nails should be cut every 2-3 weeks to help wear down the quicks. Extra long nails have to be cut a little bit at a time and can NOT be cut short all at once.