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   MUST READ!   Why matting is such a big deal...

Severe matting is extremely painful to your dog. Brushing matted hair only causes live hairs to be pulled out of the skin with excruciating pain. Even mild matting can cause your pet a great deal of pain. Asking a groomer to brush out your dogs matted coat means they have to hurt your dog. It's like you trying to bruh out dread-locks...You would never put yourself through that so dont do it to your dog. If you like long hair on your pup just make sure to schedule regular appointments for brush outs.

 Matting left too long will cut off blood supply to extremities, and deny regular air circulation. Skin denied fresh air and stimulation from regular brushing  becomes quite unhealthy. It can turn dark pink to red,and open sores are apt to form emitting foul odors. Matts have been known to contain stool of the pet and even fly larvae that further irritate the skin.

What you can do to help

Many parents want to know what they can do to go a little longer in-between grooms or to just help out. Starting brushing as a routine at a very young age will help your pet get used to being brushed and not be afraid of it. A nightly 10 minutes while winding down in front of the T.V. or relaxing will help your dog from getting too many matts and save it from associating brushing with pain. Areas to watch are the armpits and around thier collars.

PLEASE ADVISE: If you decide to give your pooch a bath in between grooms please realize that if you don't brush it before hand and then dry it completly,  any matting will get much worse.

Puppies!!

What's better then a cute new little puppy? A good cute new little puppy! There are several things that a new puppy can benefit from.

Start with the paws. Hold your puppy's paws...if they squirm and try to pull away they might have a hard time with nail trims. If your puppy is paw shy be diligent! keep on holding those paws! Hold one gently and be calm until they stop jerking. Then reward. If you stay on this eventually your new friend will get used to having their paws held and have a better experience with their groomer.

Brushing and combing are other things your new puppy needs to know about. Especially the long haired breeds. Introduce your pup to the brush and comb. Be gentle and calm while brushing. When you get to the face be aware that some puppies will try to bite the comb or brush. This can cause  their gums to bleed and make them frightned of the utensil. So use caution and be patient with your new family member.

Vibrations and noises can make a puppy anxious and scared. Get your pup used to these things.Sometimes our pets reactions are entertaining... but taunting them with vaccuums or hairdryers will just make your pup miserable in a grooming shop. If your new pooch is going to get clipped regularly you may want to also introduce it to vibrations. Find a vibrating object and hold it to your dog's body. Moving around to various areas until the puppy is calm will help it adapt to being clipped.

Crates are another thing that some puppies can be shy about. Crate training is important. A dog should know that a crate can be their place of sanctuary and not something to be afraid of. Training your pup to be quiet in a crate will benefit not only your groomer but your entire household! Their crate should be located in a calm place away from distractions and noise. Never use a crate as a form of punisment. It is not supposed to be the time-out corner!

Socializing your new pooch is another beneficial thing to do. Introduce your pooch to other dogs at a young age and scold them if they growl. This will  better the odds of your new puppy staying sweet and not getting dog-aggresive.

Now comes the toughest part...Being a tough parent! Yes puppies are cute and soft and amazing! But don't be afraid to say "NO!" You don't want a disobedient horrible dog down the road...It's so hard to scold those cute little fur balls but it is a must! Another thing that parents have touble with is seperation. When bringing in your dog to be groomed be confident! If you are shaking and worried about the experience then so will your dog! Dogs pick up on emotion with amazing ease...so don't be a nervous wreck!

 

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