HauteDawgsSalon.com - Grooming FAQs

1. When should I start grooming my dog?

Start regular grooming when you first bring your dog home and make it a part of his or her routine. Purchase a good-quality brush and comb and get your dog used to being handled. Praise your dog when he or she holds still and soon he or she will come to enjoy the extra attention. Some breeds have special grooming needs, so ask your vet or a professional groomer for advice on necessary grooming equipment for your particular dog.

2. How often should I brush my dog’s hair?

Routine brushing and combing removes dead hair and dirt and prevents matting, while giving your pet a healthier and shinier coat.

Your dog's skin and coat reflects his or her overall health and nutritional status. Many dogs can maintain a healthy skin and coat with minimal assistance. However, some long-haired or curly-coated breeds require regular brushing. For most dogs, a thorough brushing once or twice a week will suffice.

4. Do I need to clean my dog's ears?

Yes! Cleaning and caring for your pet's ears are important ways to reduce the chance for ear infections and excess wax build up. Routine cleaning and at-home examination lets you detect any infections or other problems early.

If you suspect your pet already has an ear problem, visit your veterinarian immediately. Prompt treatment offers a better prognosis, reduces the potential for chronic disease, hearing loss, and gives earlier relief for any discomfort your pet may have. Any discharge, odor, excess scratching, pawing, or rubbing at the ears, redness, pain, swelling, or masses may indicate an infection or other abnormality.

3. How often should I bathe my dog?

Your dog’s need for bathing depends on its breed, the skin type and coat. It also depends on the owner’s preference and how dirty your dog gets. Bathing your dog every month or two can be feasible, but some dogs will need more frequent cleanings. A good rule of thumb is to bathe your pet only when the coat gets dirty or begins to smell “doggy.”

When bathing your dog, it is imperative to rinse all the soap out of the coat. We like to tell owners that when they have finished rinsing their dog, rinse him again. If there are persistent problems with scratching or flaky skin, he or she may need a special medicated shampoo or have a skin problem that your veterinarian should examine.

5. What are mats?

Matting is a very serious problem for dogs. Mats left in a dog's coat only grow tighter and can damage the skin. 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 "hidden" 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.

Sometimes we can brush out the mats and save the pet's coat, however, this is a time consuming and painful process for the dog. If the comfort and well being of the dog is ever in doubt, we will recommend removing the matted coat (shaving the dog down) and starting over. Of course, we always use extreme care when removing a badly matted coat, but there are risks involved. Some of those risks include nicks, cuts, or abrasions due to warts, moles, open wounds and skin trapped in the mats. After effects of mat removal can include itchiness, skin redness, self-inflicted irritation and failure of the hair to regrow. Shaved pets are also more at risk of sunburn and should be protected from the sun until the hair has grown sufficiently to protect the skin. However, the vast majority of matted dogs show immense relief and happiness after removal of a matted coat.

Prevention is by far the best defense against matting. Regular grooming appointments and brushing your dog at home is very important. We are always happy to demonstrate proper brushing techniques since your pet's well being is always our number one concern.