Ahhhhh Michigan! The land of blinding snow one day and melted mush the next. When Mother Nature can't seem to make up her mind, how do you know what to do to maintain your pet all Winter long?
Keep brushing AND combing - It's so important to brush and comb your pet regularly during the cold and wet months. Snow and rain can mat coats quickly, so it's important to create a routine and work all of those tangles out several times a week. If you wait until the night before your pet's appointment, your groomer will know!
Listen for tapping - Listen to your dog as she walks. If her nails click on the floor, she's due for a nail trim. In the winter months, snow covers the sidewalks and prevents her nails from coming into contact with the concrete. The abrasive surface of pavement acts as a natural nail file, which helps keep her nails nice and short. If you're walking less because of the cold weather or the snow is piling up, she will need help keeping her nails at the proper length to prevent injury, pain, and discomfort.
A longer coat isn't necessarily keeping her warmer - If you're keeping your pet in a longer style in the colder months, she will still need regular bathing and brushing to stay warm. Dirty hair clumps around her body and doesn't insulate like it should. Clean hair floats about her body and keeps her nice and warm. Think of it like a window with double-paned glass. That air between the panes is what insulates the window and keeps you toasty and warm.
Check those feet - Groomers shave the pads of your dog's feet for a reason. The hair that grows between the pads can get matted, too. The debris that can get stuck to their feet and between their toes (such as small stones, rock salt, burrs, and thorns), can be quite painful. The large clumps of snow can hold ice and water close to the skin, causing irritation and possible frostbite.
Don't forget their teeth! - Brushing their teeth with an approved pet toothpaste once a week will go a long way toward improving their dental health and improving their breath. You wouldn't wait to brush your teeth until your 6 month check-up, would you?
NOTE: Do NOT use your own toothpaste on your dog! Human toothpaste is toxic to your pet.
Ear health - Clean your dog's ear canals regularly, as well. Do not use cotton swabs to try to clean the ear canal. All it takes is one unexpected head shake to accidentally puncture her ear drum. A large cotton ball works just fine. Your vet or groomer can recommend an ear cleaning solution.
Remember, if you don't want to get your pet's hair trimmed as often in the winter, we can bathe and brush your pet and keep her in a longer style. If you're not sure how often you should drop in, give us a call or stop by for a visit. We can check her coat for you and give you a free consultation.
Pet groomers are special people. They have a genuine love and compassion for animals. If this sounds like you or someone you know, why not consider a career in the grooming arts?
How do I know if it's really for me?
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Appointment times for Paragon are different than most conventional salons. In a typical salon, appointment times are established throughout the day, much like at your barber or stylist. Because Paragon is a school, our day is structured in a specified way to benefit the learning process of our students. Unless otherwise directed, drop off and pick up times are:
