what you can do to protect your dog at the groomers
Subsequently weeks of staying prophylactic at home during this COVID-xix pandemic, you've probably idea once or twice near giving yourself an calm-haircut. Bangs, perhaps? Just for your furry friend, proper grooming is virtually more than just aesthetics, it's often essential for their health and wellness. To ensure your pet'south health and happiness, we've compiled a number of pet grooming "practice'due south" and "don'ts" with the help of our Behavior & Training Team to aid you through this time until your favorite pet groomer or dog wash reopens safely.
Practice aid your pet feel comfortable around grooming tools.
Tangles and mats are a major business for pet owners, particularly those with long-haired furry friends. Tangles and mats can cause irritation to the peel, and are best dealt with past brushing your pet's coat daily.
For some pets, a simple brush can seem like a scary affair. Lollypop Farm Behavior & Training Manager, Rebecca Lohnes, recommends starting off slowly, especially if your pet seems uneasy. "Using a high value food such equally peanut butter or cream cheese is a neat fashion to introduce your pet to a brush if they are fearful," said Rebecca. "You can start slowly by offering the treat while the brush is virtually them. Work up to using the castor with them, keeping initial sessions curt and trying again slowly on another mean solar day until they are relaxed and comfortable."
For pets who are still reluctant to be brushed, sometimes the best tool is simply your mitt. "My short haired domestic dog doesn't savour being brushed," said Behavior & Preparation Supervisor Brittany Smith. "If I need to get some extra hair off, I will brush him simply using my own hands. You tin do some extra petting and massaging outdoors, and that will typically accept care of all the excess fur without stressing him."
DON'T utilise products intended for human usage on your pet.
With some of our favorite online shopping sites having longer-than-usual delivery times, it can be tempting to use a human trimmer or even shampoo that you have around the house on your pet.
While your personal shampoo may smell fabulous and better than your pup currently smells, these products often contain chemicals that tin can irritate your pet'due south skin or damage their coat. Human shampoo doesn't have the proper pH balance for your dog's fur, and apply could result in an unexpected trip to the vet. Many stores like Pet Supplies Plus accept options available locally, and are currently offer free same-mean solar day delivery on all orders over $35 placed before ane p.chiliad. daily, as well as free curbside pick upward.
Additionally, human hair clippers and bristles trimmers are designed differently than professional pet grooming tools, with unlike bract lengths and safety guards. Even using items similar smash trimmers designed for other species can be harmful. These tools may cause significant impairment to your pet's skin, or sensitive areas around their paw pads, mouth, and underbelly. If you are comfortable using preparation tools on your pet, they should be those that are specifically designed with animals in mind. If your pet seems stressed or y'all are uneasy about using any grooming tool, skip it. If yous think your pet'southward health or well existence are at risk, requite your veterinarian a phone call for help.
DO make bathtime stress free.
When a bath becomes necessary due to odors or the mud pool your dog plant outside, make a plan for how to approach bathtime in a style that is stress gratuitous for anybody. It may be helpful to bathe your pet with a partner then that one person can keep focused on your pet's safety and rewarding their proficient beliefs, while the other takes care of shampooing, massaging and rinsing.
For most dogs, a bath tub works but fine! However if you take older pets or pets with health issues, you lot might consider an alternative, similar a tub or spot of grass in the backyard. If you are using a tub, add just a few inches of water to the bowl and don't apply a shower sprayer which tin can be scary or give off likewise much water force per unit area. Instead, a washcloth and small bowl or cup to gently rinse the shampoo away should exist a more successful approach. Be sure to check that the h2o temperature is warm or lukewarm – you lot never desire your water to be besides hot or cold. Get slowly, and take your time so your pet does not feel overwhelmed.
Consider spreading some of your pet's favorite care for, like peanut butter, cream cheese or meat flavored baby nutrient on the wall! Your furry friend volition savour lapping up the goodies while yous gently wash them off. Rebecca adds, "If your pet is getting stressed for any reason, it'southward fourth dimension to switch something up. Positive reinforcement for good behavior will aid brand the process ameliorate for you and your pet."
Once bath fourth dimension is over gently pat them dry, being careful around their ears and optics. Vigorously drying them with a towel tin exist harmful to their skin and coat, so become slowly and take your time.
DON'T overlook simple boom maintenance techniques.
Without visiting a groomer regularly, your canis familiaris's nails are probably starting to get a scrap long! While some pets are happy to let their people bear upon their paws and trim their nails, some may exist more hesitant. "When it comes to smash maintenance, walking on the sidewalk or pavement will naturally wear downward your dog's nails, for when you can't trim them or get to a groomer," said Brittany.
Some other trick for blast maintenance is to use a piece of sandpaper on a cookie sheet. Merely lay the sandpaper on top of the sheet, and reward your pet with a treat when they put their paw on information technology. Check out our video where Brittany demonstrates how to properly implement this technique at dwelling!
DO use our gratuitous Pet Peeves Hotline.
The Lollypop Farm Behavior & Training staff is here to assistance you lot! Our Pet Peeves Hotline is available to you lot for Complimentary to assist yous with whatever pet related concerns. Our team has a number of resources that can brand sure you lot and your pet remain happy at habitation. Give us a call at 585-295-2999 or visit lollypop.org/petpeeves.
Exercise phone call your vet if you have whatever concerns.
Whenever your pet has a wellness-related issue, your veterinary is always your best resource, now more than ever. If y'all notice whatsoever issues with your pet's health or behavior your first phone call should always be to your local vet's office, where they tin assist you and evaluate if your pet needs immediate medical attending.
Best of luck grooming your pets at dwelling house! If you detect any tips or tricks that piece of work particularly well for your furry friend, be certain to share them with the states on social media at @LollypopFarm or by using #LollypopFarm!
Acquire more about Behavior & Training at Lollypop Farm: lollypop.org/behavior
Source: https://www.lollypop.org/pet-grooming-at-home-the-dos-and-donts/
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