Save Money by Grooming Your Dog at Home

Many dog owners prefer to leave haircuts to professional groomers. It’s a job that really takes some know-how and experience to do properly – particularly for dogs with long, continuously growing hair.

But there’s no reason that you can’t become an expert at cutting your dog’s hair, though there may be the occasional comic result along the way! The great thing is that hair grows back, it might take 1cm per month, but eventually that slightly uneven first attempt will start to look much better!

EQUIPMENT

Clippers can be extremely cheap and you can certainly use any style of clippers, rather than having to buy specialised pet clippers. Some are able to be sharpened, which will extend the life of the clippers. When humans use clippers they usually use plastic guards to clip at a longer length. These tend to snag in longer hair coats so are less useful in pets. For around the paws and ears, a sharp pair of scissors is useful, as some areas will be fiddly to use with the clippers. Also make sure you have plenty of treats on hand and a good brush.

GETTING READY TO CLIP

When you start out, having someone to hold your pet is ideal. Groomers will save their backs by always using an elevated table and may even have an apparatus to hold the dog in place or to clip the collar to. Clipping up on the kitchen table can be a great way to keep your dog from moving, but make sure you put a non-slip mat on the table first.

HOW OFTEN?

If your dog has a continuously growing coat, clipping every 6-8 weeks is ideal. If you are able to brush your dog regularly and prevent mats from forming, grooming is not as necessary, but if your dog matts easily you may need to clip the coat short more often. In some ways a longer coat can provide an insulating layer to protect against heat and cold. For dogs that feel the heat however, clipping the belly so your dog can cool down by lying on the ground can help, while still providing protection from the sun.

CARE OF YOUR CLIPPERS

To keep your clippers clean and running smoothly it is worthwhile investing in some clipper spray to keep the blades clean and lubricated. The spray can also be used if the blades are getting hot while clipping your dog. Keep the blades sharp; they are more likely to cut if they are blunt. You will need to have them professionally sharpened in the same place that would sharpen knives. After you use your clippers, brush them free from hair with a toothbrush and apply some blade oil or the clipper spray.

Here are a few tips for doing the job properly. Select a quiet place free from distractions and remember the hair will end up everywhere, so find somewhere easy to clean!
• If your dog is dirty bathe your dog first, using a shampoo made for pets.
• Once the fur is dry, brush out any snags or mats.
• Use clippers in the direction of hair growth in long smooth strokes.
• Use scissors for touch-up and for trimming around extremities: legs, ears and face.
• To clip the paws, brush against the direction of hair growth to push the hair between the toes upwards and cut with the scissors. You can use the clippers to do the underside of the feet.

• Around the eyes, ensure there is no hair growing over your pet’s eyes that could interfere with vision. If your pet is wiggly, using blunt-tipped, curved scissors helps.
• After brushing give your pet a good brush, or if you haven’t already bathed your pet, give him a bath.

ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR NERVOUS DOGS

If your pet is a little nervous about the clippers, get some treats and get him accustomed to the noise of the clippers first. Keep any sessions short and give lots of praise, attention and treats for staying still, even for a short time. Having an additional helper on hand to give your pet treats while grooming is also useful for nervous pets. For pets that tend towards anxiety it may be even more important to groom your pet at home, as you will be able to spend more time acclimatising your pet to the process, while a busy grooming parlour will need to move more quickly. That being said, some groomers offer grooming rehabilitation for nervous pets if you ask. When selecting a groomer rely on word-of-mouth and find a groomer who is very good with anxious pets. The level of care your pet receives is much more important than the quality of the cut afterwards.

MATTED DOGS

For dogs that have matts, sometimes using the clippers can be very painful. It may be necessary to de-mat first using a specialised comb (more information here). If the matts are not too close to the skin, using the clippers on the shortest setting would be the best approach to take the matts off close to the skin. You will need to start somewhere where there are no matts to get to the base of the coat. If the process will be too extensive and painful, consider discussing with your Vet giving your pet a sedative and having the procedure done in hospital instead. Once the matts are gone it will be much easier to maintain the coat with brushing and clipping before they start to develop again.

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Grooming can be a bonding experience with your pet and we hope you enjoy this new skill. And once you master the basics, let your creativity flow and try out some of the more adventurous clips.

Tips for Boarding your Pets & Petsmart $10 off grooming service

Are your boarding your pet this holiday season? Here are some important tips to make sure your furry friend is happy and healthy while they're in boarding.

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With the holiday season almost upon us, many of us will need to have our pets looked after while we are away. There are several different options available, each with their own pros and cons.

The advantage of having your pet stay at a boarding facility is the knowledge that they are being looked after by professionals who are used to caring for animals. Friends and family, while well meaning, may not have the time to look after your furry friend as well as you do. In a boarding kennel, animals are checked up on daily: to make sure they’re eating and drinking, pick up on any health concerns, and ensure they’re happy and comfortable.

If you’re thinking about boarding your pet, here are some important tips:

1. Check out the kennels and cattery

Always check out a boarding facility first. Most places will let you view their kennels and cattery. Make sure that the area the animals are kept in is clean and neat. Some things to look out for:

Enrichment – For dogs, there should be a large enough area to run around in. There should be toys to play with, and if there is contact with other dogs, this should always be supervised. Cats like to have places to hide and sleep in, as well as suitable toys to play with. Ask if you are able to bring your own bedding or toys, which can help make your pet feel more comfortable.

Staff – Observe the boarding kennel staff. Are they relaxed and happy or stressed and overworked? Also try to note how many staff members they have for the amount of animals that are in boarding.

Food & Medications – Ask what food they provide to their boarding guests, and whether you can supply your own. Make sure they’re happy to medicate your pet if required, and whether there are any extra costs associated with this.

Veterinary care – Ask what care your pet will receive if they happen to get sick or have an accident. Where is the closest vet?

Referrals – Check out their website, social media and Google for any comments from previous clients. Ask family, friends or your vet if they have any recommendations.

Opening Hours – Always find out the kennel’s opening hours and aim to have your pet there a few hours before closing time so they have time to settle in before being left for the night.

2. Make sure your pet is up to date with vaccinations
Always make sure your pet’s vaccinations are up to date. The majority of kennels won’t let you board if they are not. Also double-check that their worming, flea and tick protection is up to scratch.

3. Book early!
As soon as you’re thinking about booking a holiday, start looking for a boarding facility. When you’ve found one that you’re happy with, book in early! Boarding kennels fill up quickly in holiday time, especially Easter and Christmas.

4. Prepare your pet
If your pet has never boarded before, it’s important to spend some time preparing them (and yourself!). For dogs, boarding can be quite an adventure. The change can be a bit more stressful for cats, although they tend to end up just sleeping most of the day.

Try it first – If your pet has shown signs of separation anxiety before, trial the kennel for a night or two before your actual holiday. This way it will be somewhat familiar to them when actual boarding time comes.

Car trip – Make sure your pet is comfortable with the car trip before you take them into boarding. If they are anxious being in a car, this will only increase their stress levels and discomfort by the time they get to the kennel.  

Crate training – As your pet will spend time in an enclosed space, it is a great idea to crate train them in the months before boarding. This gets them comfortable in a confined space. For cats it may be their carrier, for dogs a crate/cage that is a suitable size for them.

Collars and tags – It’s a good idea to fit your pet with a collar with an ID tag on it, just in case.

Saying goodbye – When it comes time to leave your beloved pet at the kennel don’t make a fuss, as this could increase their anxiety. Just say bye and leave quietly. A lot of places will get you to leave first before taking the pet into their kennel.

5. Enjoy!
Enjoy your holiday, knowing your furry family member is going to be well looked after while you are away.