 1. Can I stay with my pet instead of leaving and coming back?
ANSWER: Briefly, No. The reason why is with the owner standing by, your pet is being 'pulled' in two ways. It wants to be with you and I need it on the table. It creates a more stressed environment where there is an increased chance of either the pet or me getting hurt. After you leave, your pet begins to relax and when it is time to be groomed, your pet is relaxed and focused on me.
2. How long do I have to leave my pet?
ANSWER: That depends on what kind of grooming is being performed and the type of pet. Any pet with long hair is going to take longer to dry after a bath. Any pet with substantial matting is going to take longer to brush out. I always tell clients that I will call them as soon as their pet is ready to go home. That way, the pet is not hanging around all day.
3. Will my pet go out while at the shop?
ANSWER: I will walk your pet at least once while with me. Depending on the arrival time and when I start the grooming process, I may take your pet out twice. Also, pick-up time is a factor. I walk them after I am done grooming them and before I put them in the tub.
4. How do you make them stand in the tub?
ANSWER: I can't make them stand in the tub, I tie them in the tub. Most pet tolerate the water, with a little help from a lead, they usually sit down and wait until I am finished. Many have learned the tub is a place they recieve a good massage and lots of one on one time with me.
5. How do you stand the barking?
ANSWER: When you enter the shop, the dogs become excited, nervous, protective etc. They start to bark which can get very loud. After you have left, they begin to settle back down and once I get all my dog in for grooming each morning, the shop becomes a very peaceful place. 6. Why do my pets' nails get so long? ANSWER: The anatomy of a toenail explains a lot. As seen below, the blood supply(pink area) or quick runs down the middle of the nail. This is what bleeds when the nail is cut too short. In order to keep your pets nails short, regular trimming is essential. With each trim, the quick will withdraw back and the nail will be able to be trimmed shorter each time. Over a period of a few months, your pets nails will be much shorter. Then, a schedule of regular trims is all it takes to keep them short.  7. Why should I get my pet bathed? ANSWER: There are many reasons why having your pet bathed. The most obvious ones are the look of the coat and the smell of your pet. A beautiful coat is a sign of a well loved pet, and there is nothing better than to bury your nose into a fresh smelling coat. However, for health reasons for your pet and yourself, a bath is necessity. After a period of time, dirt, bugs and mats can cause problems for your pet's skin. Any small bite or scrape can become infected and cause a "hot spot". Without proper treatment, hot spots can become a very painful and expensive issue. Most require a trip to the vet, shaving of the area, cleaning and usually an antibiotic. A good grooming at least 2-3 times a year will control the smell and prevent the development of hot spots. Many people with pet allergies can tolerate them better with their pet is clean and free of loose hair. Dirt and static hold loose hair on the pet. A coat that is clean and brushed is far less likely to cause allergic reactions. Hot spot 8. Is brushing my pet necessary? ANSWER: There are several reasons to brush your pet. Brushing removes dead hair that if left to build up, creates matts and packing. Matts get worse and worse without being brushed out. Matts allow the skin to get damp and nasty. This causes hot spots, as outlined in question 7. Brushing is a great way to bond with your pet. Brushing is a way to keep an eye on your pets health. Older dogs what can't scratch themselves love to be brushed with a stiff brush. It gets to places they can't reach any more and gets blood flowing. 9. My pet won't let me brush him/her. What can I do? ANSWER: The most important thing I tell people when brushing is don't give up. First, tie the dog to a secure place. If they feel any give in the leash, they will pull and pull until you give up. Second, keep it short and sweet. Split you dogs body into quarters and start with one at a time. Have a few treats handy. Brush just a few minutes and treat your dog. Do another quarter the next day. Pretty soon you will have the whole dog brushed and even sooner, you will be doing the whole dog in one sitting. |