Some questions answered.

Working in a grooming shop, I tend to get asked a lot of questions and hear peoples' concerns about their dogs. I've compiled a random list of some of the most common questions that I get asked, and my answers to those questions.

1. My dog must have fleas, because he's itching a lot!

There are a lot of different reasons that dogs will itch, although fleas are a common cause. And remember that fleas aren't the only bugs that can bit your dog and make them itch (like mites). Some other causes of itchiness include:

• Dirt, pollen, grass, or other environmental allergens
• Dry skin
• Chlorine (from swimming in a pool)
• Food allergies

If your dog comes in from playing and has started scratching, it is likely that it is something they stepped in, brushed up against, or has bitten them that is causing the problem. Usually a good bath will get rid of whatever is causing them to itch. Changes in the weather will sometimes dry out a dog's skin, which can also make them itchy. Adding salmon oil to their diet, or using a good moisturizing dog conditioner can help. I will post more on food allergies and other environmental allergies later.

2. My dog is really stinky no matter how many baths he gets.


Try to find what area the bad odor is coming from. If your dog has skin problems, it will often have a bad odor. Sometimes the odor will be localized to one area (for example, the throat), where the breakout is the worst. Ear infections also give off a nasty smell, and are especially common in floppy eared dogs. Bad breath can also be a culprit. Usually this is caused by bad dental hygiene, but it can also be caused by food not being digested properly and resulting in a bad smell from the mouth. I have seen dogs with excellent teeth that have terrible breath. Usually switching to a higher quality food, or adding a vitamin/mineral supplement to the diet will help, but if it persists, you should check with your vet.

3. At what age can I start having my dog groomed?

As long as you have a puppy-safe shampoo, you can start bathing your dog right away. Especially with dogs that will need to be groomed frequently (i.e maltese, shih tzus, pomeranians), the sooner you start, the better. Play with your puppy's ears, feet, tail, legs. Open their mouth to check their teeth. Run a brush over them, especially their legs. Clip their toenails (I do NOT recommend a dremmel for puppies, the noise and grinding can be very scary). If your puppy fights, don't give up! They'll quickly learn bad habits like biting or jumping around to get out of being groomed. Be patient and wait for them to calm down, and then continue.

It is important to remember that while you don't want them to get their own way, you also don't want to be too rough because it will make it that much harder the next time. Give them lots of praise when they are being good, and don't let them go in the middle of a tantrum.

Once your puppy has had all its shots they should be able to go see the groomer. The sooner, the better, because getting groomed by a groomer is much different than at home. If your puppy needs hair cutting, ask your groomer to just bathe and brush the first visit so they can get used to all the noises and the process.

4. My dog is terrified of the vet/ groomer!

A lot of dogs will shake, cry, and scramble for the door when they go to the groomer or the vet. Most of it is a show to try to get out of it. Typically, the minute their parent is out the door the terrified dog will immediately calm down. The average dog hates everything about being washed, groomed, and getting a check up. And of course, the average dog really doesn't want to be away from their owner. The best thing you can do for your dog when handing them over to the vet or groomer is say your goodbyes before going in, and hand them over quickly. The longer you drag it out, the more wound up they will get.


5. I want to keep my dog's hair long, but I don't have the time to brush it every day.


Unfortunately with long haired dogs like shih tzus, poodles, and cocker spaniels, the upkeep can be difficult. I have met a lot of people that don't have the time to brush out their dog enough to keep them from matting up, but don't like them shaved down. If this is the case, you really only have one option, which is take them to the groomer regularly. Depending on the type of hair, and the length, this could mean having your dog groomed once a month, or possibly even once a week. That can get very expensive, very quickly. If you can't afford weekly visits, try to work with your groomer to find a "compromise" length. Even some of the most easily matted dogs can be left at a length that makes them look cute and fluffy, while making them easier for you to brush.

Some people expect groomers to brush out matted dogs. Many groomers don't want to do it because its a lot of work, however, its hardest on the dog. Brushing out mats can be extremely painful and can leave them with brush burn, and in sever cases, bloody.


6. My dog is scooting!

Don't worry, its normal! Most of the time they will scoot because their anal glands are full and need to be released. Not all dogs have this problem, but many groomers will check the glands for you to make sure they are not getting impacted. If your dog is scooting a lot, you should take them to have their glands expressed manually to prevent impaction and ruptures.

7. How often should my dog have his teeth cleaned?


You should be brushing your dog's teeth at least 2-3 times a week. Some dogs naturally have bad teeth and will get nasty buildup even with frequent brushing. Dry food, good diet, and chews will help keep your dog's teeth and gums healthy. If your dog's teeth are bad, don't put off taking them to the vet and/ or having their teeth cleaned. It will only get worse, and if left alone can cause serious problems.

8. I can't afford expensive dog food.

It might seem like a lot of money at first, but feeding your dog a higher quality dog food can actually end up equaling out over the long run. A dog fed a higher quality food will usually eat less because better foods contain less fillers. Better food also equals better health, which can potentially save you a lot of money in vet bills. Plus, you'll probably notice your dog's poop will be a lot less smelly and smushy, which might not seem like a big deal until you actually witness the difference in person. Just because you can't afford the best of the best, doesn't mean you can't feed them a better food.

9. I started giving my dog (insert supplement name here) and it looks like its not working!


Most supplements can take a couple weeks to a month to start showing signs of working. It takes time for vitamins and minerals to get in to the system before changes can occur. If you haven't seen any changes in your dog in 3 months, the supplement might not be working.