Some Frequently Asked Questions
How long have you been grooming?
I have been grooming animals for more that 10 years and have received my training from some of the most prominent pet groomers in the industry. I have worked in Houston, Seattle, Paradise Valley and Phoenix. I started out about 10 years ago working with Bill Cosby’s dog handler Clay Cotey. Working with Mr. Cosby’s Lakeland Terriers was a great experience and I loved going to dog shows with his dogs.
How often should my pet be groomed?
The length of time between groomings depends on the type and condition of your pet's coat, but a general timeframe is anywhere between 4 to 8 weeks. Many people have their pet groomed every other week or even every week.
How long will it take to groom my pet?
It should take no more than 4 hours from the time you drop off your pet. If you feel this is too long, I can do an express grooming. An express grooming takes about and hour and a half and I will work on your pet straight through.
Do you have flea and tick products available?
Yes. I do sell both the Advantage and Frontline flea and tick brands.
Do you do teeth cleaning?
I do teeth brushing. If you pet has a great deal of plaque on their teeth, and your pet's gums are red and irritated, then you need to take your pet to a veterinarian.
Do you sedate the animals?
No, I do not sedate the animals. If your pet is prone to stress or aggression, then you will need to have your pet sedated by a veterinarian.
I have a long coated dog, how often should I have them groomed?
You should have your long-haired pet groomed one a week. That will keep the coat from getting matted. If your pet will let you and if you have the time, you should comb and brush out the dog's coat thoroghly. After you bathe and condition your dog, dry your pet thorougly, then brush and comb again. That will keep a nice, healthy, matt-free coat. Long-coated dogs are my favorites; I love toy breeds including shitzu, yorky, and maltis. For my weekly customers, I do give a break in the price.
Is it ok to shave my pet?
For chows, keeshond, samoeyed, collies any kind, and double-coted dogs (big or small), some say it not good to shave them; they said that the coat will insulate them from the cold and heat. Okay, but how many people in Arizona do you you see running around on 120-degree days in a parka? They would be locked up over at 24th Street and Van Buren in the nuthouse (wink).
So lets be sane and humane, and give these babies a hair cut in the summer. You would think that labradors and other short-haired dogs don’t shed a lot, but they are the worst. My lab sheds a lot. We decided I would not shave him, but that means we have to put up with the hair and clean a lot.
When should I have my pet nails trimmed?
Your pet should have its nails trimmed every 4-6 weeks. It really is important to keep those nails short. Long nails can cause so many problems for your pet. Excessively long nails can really do damage to your pets feet. They can get a nail caught on something and can pull the nail right out. The dew claw can curl around and grow back into the foot, causing infusions. And being truthful, that is neglect. Your vet can clip your pet’s nails or you can get nail trimmers and do them yourself.
Why should I have the ear hair pulled out of my dog’s ear?
It’s good to remove the ear hair from inside the ear canal to allow air to get in and keep the ear canal dry. That will help prevent your dog's ear from becoming infected. It’s also a good idea to do this if your pet is prone to ear infection. Have your groomer put cotton in the ear canal when bathing your pet. Always cheek to see if your groomer is getting the hair out and getting them clean. If they are not, let them know.
What are anal glands?
Cats and dogs have a gland on each side of their anus. It fill up and it needs to be expressed. On dogs (mostly), if the anal glands are not expressed regularly, they may come impacted and, over time, burst. Then you have an unhappy pet and have to make a trip to the vet. Your vet can express your pet's anal glands, too.
Is it bad to give my pet a bath once a week?
No it is not, whether you do it at home our have your groomer do it. My dogs get bathed once a week, and I have long- and short-haired dogs. Make sure you use a gentle shampoo and a conditioner. Ask your groomer for suitable products: they may have products to sell you so they can consult with you on what to get.