Before I start anything, I ask you on behalf of groomers everywhere. PLEASE RELIEVE YOUR DOG PRIOR TO PROFESSIONAL GROOMING! THAT INCLUDES BROWN BUM STUFF TOO! Just because we do it daily doesn’t mean we want to deal with your dog’s crap. Some things are preventable.

Well hello! Welcome to the first of a new series on Squirrelly Minds called Squirrelly Experts!
Once a month I will interview people (experts) in various fields and ask them all sorts of questions you need answering.
For this month, if you have a dog then this is just the Squirrelly Expert for you. Meet Jess, a good friend of mine who spends her days getting cuddled by tons of puppies (isn’t that picture above just the cutest thing ever?).
Let’s get on with our expert q&a!

I currently work at Top Dog Daycare & Spa. I have the combined knowledge of 11 years in both human hair styling and dog grooming. Hair is my life but I learn new things everyday.

There really isn’t one way or the best way to find a groomer. Start by looking at dog coats more on your walks. Does anything stand out to you? What do you like? Then simply put on your best smile and ask ‘Hey. Where do you take your dog to get groomed?’. Word of mouth is huge.

At home grooming tools are good, but without proper knowledge they are useless and you’re not doing much to benefit your dog. A basic tool is a metal comb with wide teeth on one side and fine teeth on the other, for all coats and breeds. This tool can do most at home maintenance. Other helpful items are a medium course slicker, dematting rake, and a stripping knife.

At home brushing is maintenance. Just like a car you can fill your own oil but you might not do your own oil change. Brushing once a week establishes a routine for your dog and helps combat mats which can be a serious problem and very uncomfortable. If you really want to save some cash on grooming, do a little research. What kind of coat does your dog have? Double coat? Wire coat? Brushing a dog’s back (where people pet the most) isn’t a full brush, you’re only doing a ⅓ of the task! Think armpits, under belly and pants! The back legs on a wide variety of dogs get very matted as well as the friction point around the collar. These are key areas too!

Some dogs find being brushed a very uncomfortable process. If you think about them in the wild, as they are animals first and foremost! Their coats serve a purpose, why would they cut or brush it? When brushing your dog or doing most anything with your dog, YOU’RE IN CHARGE. Never forget they are seeking an Alpha, a leader. If they want to sit, don’t let them. You aren’t asking anything unreasonable of them but to stand. If they are geriatric it can be uncomfortable for your dog to stand for too long. Just be aware of what you are wanting them to do and how much patience you have for the task. Reward the dog for letting you finish your job.

Rawhide for pet dental care or even as a treat isn’t that great. It’s hard to digest, a choking hazard and they don’t receive the same physical and emotional satisfaction as they would with a Raw bone. Ripping, tearing and chewing are much better than gnawing for hours only to get a belly ache. Should your dog require something more intense, seek a professional. Most dental care products sold at pet stores aren’t doing much but making you feel better.

You can bathe your dog as often as is necessary. Use mild shampoos and protect water from entering the dogs ear canal to prevent ear infections. When dogs swim they have a natural reaction to block the canal, when we wash them they don’t. NEVER USE A HUMAN BLOW DRIER ON A DOG. They are way too hot to use on an animal that already naturally runs hot. Now here is the part I do stress seeing a professional. Should your dog have bad mats, close to the skin and you bathe them, the moisture gets trapped against the skin. That mat can fester and cause serious skin problems for your dog.

Thank so much Jess for sharing your expert knowledge with us!