Ask the Dog Groomer:  FAQ’s

Most Commonly Asked Questions by Customers:

• • How do you get the hair out of the dog’s ears?

A special medicated powder is sprinkled in the outer ear canal. This aids in plucking the hair out and also fills the open pores (caused from plucking) with medication.

• • What is the brown “stuff’ in my dog’s ear(s)?

This is a sign of an ear infection. Most commonly, this will be ear canker.

• • Why does my dog scratch his ears and shake his head a lot?

This could, again, be an ear infection. Ear mites can cause the dog a great amount of discomfort with a lot of scratching with moaning, and a lot of head shaking. A veterinarian will need to make an evaluation and offer the correct medication.

• • I don’t want my dog to look “skinned” when he is finished. Do you have to shave him “real short”?

If there are only a few matted areas, it is likely we can remove the lesser amounts of matted areas and brush them out. (de-matting is done at an additional charge) If the dog is very matted (to the extent that you cannot feel the skin or the coat is very knotted or tangled, especially in cotton type coats), it will be hard to keep any length and it MAY be necessary to cut it all off.

This is a much more compassionate option for the dog, and it is also an opportunity to get a fresh start on keeping the coat brushed. Faithfully brushing your dog 2-3 times a week (or more depending on the coat), will help prevent excessive matting.

• • My dog does not want me to brush him. He doesn’t stand up or he growls or bites at the brush. What can I do?

Do not try to brush or comb the dog while he lies on your lap or on the floor. Get a bathmat and place it on top of the washer or dryer or some other high area. The dog will associate these two spots as: 1.) A place to romp and play or 2.) A place to be petted and cuddled (not brushed & groomed 😉. Having the dog high up off the floor restrains them to some degree and they will soon associate this spot as the area for their regular brushing. Many dogs look forward to their grooming, just as much as a daily walk or play time. It is a time when the owner can devote one-on-one attention to the dog.

My dog chews on the area over the top of his tail a lot. Do you know why?

It could be a sign of tapeworms or an anal gland that needs to be drained. Also, dogs with skin problems, such as flea allergies, tend to chew that area of the body more. A vet will be able to rule out any health concerns.

• • My dog has bad breath, do you know why?

First, curl the dog’s mouth up to check for excessive tooth tartar or tooth decay on their teeth. Be sure to check the teeth farther back in the mouth, also. If all looks good, then the digestive system could be upset. A diet change could be in order, but your vet can advise if this is needed or not.

• • What are the tiny black specks in the fur? Are they flea eggs?

No, it is flea “dirt” (droppings or feces).

• • I bathe my dog with a flea shampoo, but the fleas are back on him the next day. Is the shampoo any good?

Fleas are in the dog’s environment – carpet, bedding, and yard. The shampoo is killing the fleas on the dog, but it does not “repel” a flea. The dog is picking the fleas back up immediately after returning. Treatment for the dog, home, and yard should be given on the same day.

• • I do not notice fleas in the house, but my dog seems to have them. Why?

The fleas are definitely in the house, because fleas only stay on the dog long enough for a blood meal and then they leave to hide in dark areas. As long as the dog is present, they will feed on the dog. If the dog is gone for a day or two, they will likely attack humans in search of another “blood” meal.

• • My child (husband, wife, etc.) seems to always get bitten by fleas, but the rest of the family isn’t bothered by them. Why?

Research has shown that individuals low in the B vitamins seem to be bothered more than those with adequate amounts. One of the “natural” remedies for flea control is Brewer’s Yeast tablets. The dog chews on them and the body is supposed to emit a certain scent caused by this tablet. The theory is that this scent repels the fleas. Brewer’s Yeast is a combination of all of the B vitamins, so this could reasonably be the answer.

• • What can I do for flea control in my house and yard?

There are many excellent flea control products that can be sprayed on the yard. The key is to use them at regular intervals, usually 10-14 days apart for 3 consecutive times and once a month thereafter.

• • How can I rid my dog of ticks? He seems to get so many.

A tick dip can be given. This will cause the ticks to die, dry up, and eventually fall off the dog. A product containing DEET should be used to prevent the dog from becoming re-infested.

• • My dog’s stomach always looks brown even after a bath. Why?

It’s possible that the dog has a fungus growing on it, but a Vet could tell you for sure.

• • Why does the dog still scratch my legs after his nails are trimmed? Should they be cut shorter?

It may be that the nail edge is rough from being newly clipped. Walks and filing can cure this easily.

• • How old should my puppy be before he gets his first bath? Also, his first dip?

Generally, it’s best to wait until the puppy is at least 12 weeks of age. However, if the puppy has fleas or an odor, you can bathe the pup if kept wrapped in a towel and blown dry immediately. There are many good flea shampoos that are safe for puppies 3-4 months old. A young puppy should avoid being dipped.

• • How old should my Poodle, Schnauzer, etc., be before he can get his first haircut?

The face, feet, and tail on a Poodle can be clipped at 12-16 weeks of age. Don’t expect perfection though, because the pup will be scared and squirmy! 😊 Since the skin is very tender, we must avoid any close cutting clipper blades. Schnauzers usually have their ears “cropped” at 8 weeks of age, and it’s usually best to wait for them to heal sufficiently before any hair cutting (usually 12 weeks of age). Cocker Spaniels can be given the first hair trim at approximately 16 weeks of age.

• • How often should my dog be clipped?

It depends on the breed. Generally, dogs with a wiry coat tend to grow slower, such as some Schnauzers and other terriers. They can usually go 3-4 months between haircuts. A dog, such as a poodle or poodle mix, should not go past 6-8 weeks. Cockers and other spaniels with thin coats can go 4-6 months between clips, but the thick coated spaniels, especially the American Cocker, should be groomed every 6-8 weeks. Long coated breeds, such as Lhasa, Maltese, etc., should see the groomer once a month (thoroughly brushed and combed often during the week by the owner, or set up for a weekly bath with the groomer) for trim ups on foot pads, tummy, and nail trim.

• • My dog scratches all the time. I don’t see fleas. What could it be?

It is more than likely an allergy. It could be something from outside or even the carpet. Many times, a change in diet can prove greatly beneficial. Improvement would be noticed a month or two after the new diet is started.

• • As soon as the grass starts getting green in the spring my dog starts scratching. Why?

He most likely has an allergy to something in the grasses, weeds, or shrubs.

• • My dog has been chewing and “pulling” his hair out. There are clumps of hair all over my home. What could this be?

In most cases, a good haircut will alleviate this problem. If that doesn’t help, then a trip to the vet would be appropriate.

• • My dog has this ugly brownish coloring under his eyes (or could be around his tail, on the paws, or down the inside of the dog’s rear legs). Do you have anything to wash this off with?

These are stains caused by body secretion, whether it be eye drainage, saliva, or urine. There is nothing that completely removes it. This is caused by a chemical in the secretions. Eye stain wash is helpful, but it is only temporary.