Emma Jones shares her views and tips on finding yourself a really good groomer, one that you can trust your beautiful dog with and feel safe in the knowledge that their welfare is at the forefront. This is an excellent blog – thank you Emma for taking such time and effort to share this all-important knowledge which I am sure will help many dogs and put owners’ minds at rest. If you are reading, please share the link, or the information, far and wide.

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

How do you find a good groomer?

by Emma Jones

‘I am a qualified puppy trainer and former dog groomer and recently it was brought to the attention of Karen and I that dog owners struggle to find a good groomer. Some owners and their dogs have been so traumatised by a bad experience with a groomer that they prefer to groom their dogs themselves. In an age full of health and safety and where animal welfare is huge on the agenda for professionals and the public alike I find this appalling! Dog grooming is not all pink poodles and show dogs, groomers earn their money by grooming pets and it is more about welfare than it is aesthetics…or so it should be.

So how do you know which are in it for the money and which a true professionals? Here are some tips:

Word of mouth – This is how groomers find most of their clients so ask friends or family for a recommendation. If you don’t have many doggy friends or family ask on your facebook page or join a pet forum. It takes years to build a good reputation but only one unhappy customer to ruin it.

Price - £10 for a full groom sounds like a bargin! Right? Wrong, you really do get what you pay for. If a groomer is advertising so cheaply they are either a student looking for practice or even an experienced groomer seriously undervaluing themselves. But more often than not it is someone who wishes to make as much money as possible in the shortest amount of time without putting in any real care or passion for their customers. I call these types of groomers ‘conveyer belt groomers’.

When choosing a groomer, depending on your location, expect to pay around:

£8 – £25 for a bath & dry for smaller dogs

£25 – £50 for a bath & dry for medium dogs

£50 and upwards for a bath & dry for large dogs

Even if you own a Labrador, depending on the behaviour and coat condition of your dog expect the cost to be around £30. It takes a lot of physical strength to just bath & dry a Lab, plus if you’ve ever had Labrador undercoat sticking to your face, getting in your eyes and going up your nose you’ll know how bad it smells!

In the time it takes a groomer to bath & dry your Labrador they could have done two or even three Yorkshire Terriers for more than double your £30 and saved their back that day too.

Full groom prices usually start at around £25 for small dogs and this will include a bath, dry, clip, scissor finish, ears cleaned, nails cut and extras such as perfumes, bows and bananas.

Groomers are not always having fun playing with dogs (occasionally you do get to!), it’s serious business with overheads and wages to pay. The price reflects the groomer’s skills, the quality of their shampoos and how many dogs they get through a day. The more it costs the less dogs are going through the doors, meaning that groomer is probably spending extra time and attention with each dog so they can do a good job for your money.

Qualifications & Experience – This is not necessarily a sure fire way of finding a good groomer because in an industry that has no regulating body anyone can set up as a groomer. However a groomer that boasts this qualification and that qualification, this award at a competition and that award at a competition and how ever many years experience, is telling you they are worth their salt, have seriously learnt their stuff and are constantly improving their skills.

Customer Service – A good groomer will always listen to your needs as long as they are within reason. For example, a Poodle trim on a Border Terrier is just not possible. Groomers are not mind readers so if you’re not happy, you can always ask for more or less off next time. Good groomers really do want you to be happy because they take pride in their work and don’t want to lose you as a client. A good groomer will discuss exactly what you want and may even have a portfolio of photos to give you both a better idea of the desired outcome.

On a serious note nails can only be trimmed down so far or otherwise the groomer would cut the quick, which is a collection of nerve endings and blood vessels that bleed if cut. If your dog has a few matts (large dreadlock like knots) your groomer will have to remove those with clippers and then blend the rest of the hair to even it out as much as possible. If your dog has a lot of matts the groomer will need to clip most of the dog short. Trying to brush matts out would be extremely unfair on the dog, take a lot of time, cost more for you and put a lot of strain on the groomers body too.

It is not a sign of a bad groomer if they feel they must clip the dog short despite what you want for your dog and most will provide you with a disclaimer to read and sign before it is done. It is not the fault of the groomer if a client has failed to brush their dog regularly enough to prevent matts.

Grooming at home – continuing the good work
A good groomer will show you how to brush your dog correctly with the right tools. If your dog has issues with being groomed and handled a good groomer will have attended seminars (and have evidence of attending) and spoken to behavioural professionals so they can get your dog groomed stress free for all involved. As when choosing a good dog trainer, does the groomer proposing the plan of action say things such as ‘food rewards’ and ‘positive association’? They would discuss issues with you and then have your dog at the salon for socialisation, play and groom sessions going as slow as necessary so that over time, your dog would learn that going to the groomers is fun. There would be extra costs involved for you with this but your dog would be much happier.

Some owners wish to stay with their dog while they are being groomed. Some dogs will relax and be reassured by their owner’s presence. Some will not stand still as they are slightly apprehensive but mainly excited that their owner is near by. Some will become more stressed because their owner is in sight but not within reach. A good groomer will let you have a look round, talk you through the process and equipment and let you stay for the groom providing it is in the dog’s best interest.

A salon that runs with an appointment only policy means that the groomer has given themselves an amount of time with each dog so that again, each dog is being given a lot of attention so that the job is done properly. This way means that only a limited number of dogs are in the salon at one time so no one is overwhelmed by having to be groomed surrounded by other dogs they don’t know.

Puppy Visits – Socialisation is important for all puppies but grooming and going to the groomers is often forgotten until the dog is a complete fur ball. Dogs don’t usually get clipped until they are around 6 months old but it is vital that they visit the groomer as soon as they have had their inoculations so they get used to the environment and process.

A puppy visit will involve the puppy having a good play about the salon and with the groomers. They will then have a bath slowly and gently, be towel dried as much as possible and then dried with one dryer as close or as far away from the puppy as he or she is comfortable with. Then they will have a little trim and have another play if they aren’t too tired after all the new sights and experiences. A good groomer will discuss all this with you and make sure the pup isn’t too overwhelmed.

Equipment – A good groomer will use good quality shampoos and always be on the look out for new and interesting products and will be very keen to discuss this with you. Anything can be an allergen; anything can cause a reaction so even a good shampoo can cause irritation. An allergic reaction would make itself known within 24 hours, not two weeks after the visit. A good groomer would be horrified to know their shampoo caused a reaction and would want to put it right.

Clipper blades can cause irritation and cuts but this shouldn’t occur often especially if the blades are clean and being used properly. Cuts from scissors can also occur as these are very sharp and being used on a living creature with a mind of its own but a skilled groomer would prevent this from happening as much as possible and it shouldn’t be happening every time your dog visits the groomer.

Finally, please help your groomer! As I’ve mentioned above, a coat in bad condition is not the fault of the groomer. Brushing is the responsibility of the owner and if you brush properly and regularly at home this will help your groomer give your dog the style you want. It will also mean your dog will be much more comfortable and happier and you will find less hair about the house.

Clean up your dog’s eyes and back end regularly and practice body checking your dog too so your dog gets used to being handled. Feel all over the body, feel through the coat and check the skin, have a look at the eyes, ears, nose and paws. This will also help you to spot anything out of the ordinary and get it treated promptly. And remember, always praise your dog for good behaviour with your voice and treats.

(Special thanks to Watt-A-Dog Groomers Forum, Heather Bulfinch and Jo Pay.)
Image: (‘Beautiful Coco came for her first pamper! Such a sweet angel with an ever wagging tail and happy to settle in her carrier with a chew afterwards’. Chinese Crested by Susan Gardner at Mutley Makeovers dog grooming salon in Polesworth, Warwickshire)

Usually it isn’t a problem to the barking dog! It is a natural behaviour to them. To us humans, though, it isn’t necessarily something we want!

In this week’s special podcast we talk about the issue of barking dogs using Jon’s own little barking Bassett Hound puppy as an example.

Because dogs bark for many reasons, our little podcast case study shows you the essential knowledge you need, to identify all sorts of factors BEFORE you begin to put solutions in. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ when it comes to a barking dog.

On the podcast we discuss these questions in detail and how you might go about considering the cause, so you can identify a proper, and long-lasting solution. Listen in and enjoy!

Listen to the podcast here

or subscribe on iTunes

The free download as discussed on the podcast, is available free for a limited time ONLY -  ‘Barking – Identifying the cause’.

If for some reason you cannot access this download here, please email us on podcast@karenwild.co.uk and we will send you the link!

Other items on the podcast

Strays – if you find a stray dog, is it yours? Who do you need to call? Listen in to the podcast, and see our special report in this website’s blog section. Stray dogs and the Law

Celebrity dog news!

Scouring the internet for weird and wonderful, I decided not to report on the dog that ate a man’s ear after his girlfriend had bitten it off.. (UGH!)

NO instead, I bring you…

Johnny Depp has had to be rescued from Angelina Jolie’s dog!

The 47-year-old actor is not a fan of dogs but agreed to watch their Mastiff, Jacques, whilst the couple went out for the evening.

Johnny stated “Foolishly I was persuaded to look after their dog Jacques for a night. He’s a huge bulldog. At first I had a terrible feeling, because Jacques smelt horrible. But then I told myself, ‘Come on, you will survive one night’. Everything was cool – until I sat down on the bed to take my shoes off. Jacques pounced on me from behind and kept jumping around on me. He’s not small. Around 175lbs of dog was hurled at me, which felt like about 300lbs. I shouted for help and luckily someone came to take that beast off me.”

Johnny and wife Vanessa are still friends with Brad and Angelina though!

He told German magazine TV Movie: “We often went for dinner with them. It was great. I’ve known Brad since the end of the Eighties. It was great to see him as a man and amazing father.”

News link for this report is here http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Entertainment/20110113/depp-rescued-from-angelina-dog-110113/

Well that’s enough in the dog world for this week – PLEASE send us your comments and ideas, questions and stories – or we will feel very lonely. podcast@karenwild.co.uk or on twitter www.twitter.com/wildpaw
Our next podcast will be on dogs that BITE. You may have a dog that bites, or you may have been bitten by a dog yourself. Maybe you have a dog in your neighbourhood that has a bit of a reputation, or is it your dog that has the bad rap?

I know this sounds a little bit like reality show host Jeremy Kyle, but we want to hear your stories on this so PLEASE write in to podcast@karenwild.co.uk

More importantly, is there anything we can do to stop it?

Recorded as The WildPaw Dog Podcast with Karen Wild and Jon Buscall

Listen Now

or Subscribe on iTunes

Other items in the WildPaw podcast:

• The John Lewis department store Christmas advert. Do you think John Lewis should be left out in the cold – or should they be wrapped in twinkly lights? What is your opinion? podcast@karenwild.co.uk

• Detective firm in Milton Keynes spies on dog fouling public

• Chihuahua makes the grade as Police Dog in Japan

Why does my dog eat poo? UGH!

First of all – DON’T PANIC.

Whilst they appear to enjoy it, it’s worth taking a look (not too close…) at what might be some causes.
 Does your dog have a medical problem? There are medical conditions and some medications themselves that can cause a dog to feel more hungry. Allergies and other problems that can cause the food to be malabsorbed could be a factor, so it’s always a good idea to ask your Vet, especially if the problem has suddenly started in an older dog.

Your dog’s diet: Partly linked to the above, but it may be that your dog is not getting the right nutrients it needs. Nutritional deficiency may cause your dog to want to supplement its diet with that little extra something. They may even be a bit bored with the same food every day, and are looking for variety of taste and texture!

Attractiveness: Well, it may just be that what comes out still tastes and smells like it did going in! Some foods are highly palatable and remain so after they have ‘emerged’. You could take a look at whether or not your dog is digesting the food properly if they are eating their own faeces. If they are eating that of other species, such as horse, cat or fox, then there may be other factors. Commercial cat food is quite strong smelling in order to make it attractive to cats, for example.

Is my dog hungry? Dogs, as we know, will scavenge. Some dogs value food highly and may simply see this as a case of ‘waste not, want not’.

Is it a dog houstraining problem? Are they ‘destroying the evidence’? If a dog has been punished by an owner for toileting in the home, they may wuickly eat any signs of the faeces in order to avoid future trouble.

Is it harmful? There is of course bacteria in faeces as well as germs, and also parasites such as worms can be passed along in this way. Some of these are not harmful to the dogs but they are harmful to humans so be very aware of hygiene. Especially if you have a ‘licky’ dog and young children! Our natural reaction is ‘ugh’ and that’s for a good reason, as we may not be as immune to some infections as a dog might be.

Competition for resources: If a dog thinks they are going to be beaten to their ‘prize’ by the owner, or perhaps by other dogs, they will quickly gobble it up. This is particularly so in certain dogs who really do see food as a very valuable resource.

What do I do about it? Along with some of the reasons above, your question will next be – how do I deal with it?

If it is a dietary or medical issue then your Vet will help.

Adding things to the faeces: It is possible to add a nasty taste to the poo to deter your dog. This may or may not work, given the reasons above. Sometimes a dog will eat it anyway, which is not at all nice and shows the dog really must be keen and/or depserate. I believe that with the amount of effort this takes it is probably just as easy, and certainly more long-term useful, to train the dog with the suggestions below.

Improve digestion? There is a theory that adding pineapple, or courgette, to your dog’s diet may help with digestion and therefore make the resulting faeces less palatable.

Will a muzzle help? If you have a particularly greedy dog who also gobbles up stones and everything else, after checking with your Vet, you may wish to use a muzzle out on walks to at least buy you some time to get on with training. It’s really only a part-solution but it prevents unwanted Vets bills in the meantime.

Provide a toilet area in the garden, as this is easiest to control and supervise. And of course, it may seem obvious, but do pick up regularly, especially if you have a young puppy. This will help to stop a habit becoming established.

Training your dog to leave it, and a great recall too

It is always better to distract and reward your dog with something that is a lot better. Something that YOU control. Some tasty, smelly treats in your hand, can work wonders. Don’t try boring biscuit!

Teach your dog the OFF command, and a Rock Solid Recall, too (mini-books available to download on my site). This saves you shouting or getting stressed yourself, and gives you the power to enforce what it is you want. Using a long line is also a really important part of this training with a persistent dog. Teach the dog that you are predictably going to give a command, followed by something better, including actually not allowing them to get into foraging behaviour. Act early and act positively. Be more persistent and determined than they are, and always ensure you are likely to succeed. A good recall is an absolute must for any dog, and this is another use for it. Teaching the ‘Off’ or Leave command really ends up being more of a negotiation. ‘If you leave that and back away, I have got something better over here’.

Thank you everyone for reading and listening! See you next week! Comments are very welcome below.

How about during training when you might be making it wait for its toy when it is desperate to play?

Ever ask yourself how you know the dog is ok with you doing this? How can you tell? More importantly, is your child able to judge the same things as you are?

A BBC report has today highlighted the continuing dangers involved when kids mix with pet dogs.

Often, news reports on dog attacks give impressions of a slavering mange-ridden hound that has somehow mauled an unsuspecting child. We look over at our snoozing pet dog and we somehow ‘know’ they would never be like that.

Nevertheless bite statistics indicate that children are bitten most often by their own family dogs compared to an unknown stray.

The BBC report states that research which examines how children “scan” a dog’s face shows that younger children focus on the mouth and teeth, and that under-fives are far more likely to “lean in” to have a closer look. A single bite, intended to make a child ‘go away’, can easily cause permanent scarring and does not necessarily mean that the dog has turned into a vicious animal! Nevertheless the child probably failed to read the signs.

So, what can we do right now to reduce the risks?

Dr Kerstin Meints, from Lincoln University, is helping to assess the bite prevention interactive DVD called “Blue Dog” which aims to teach children about how to play safely with dogs and when to leave it alone. The DVD gives the child a chance to decide whether or not to approach the dog or play with it in different scenarios. It is aimed at children even as young as 3 years old, to give them an insight into reading dog cues. The research, to be presented at the World Safety Conference in London, indicates that even two weeks later children still show that they have learned the rules presented on the DVD.

The Kennel Club have a free interactive site for their Safe and Sound scheme, which again aims to show children how they might learn to read the signs. My advice to you is to take that test and see how well you fare as an adult!

Dogs are, by and large, hugely tolerant creatures. Nevertheless if they are continuously under stress, it is not surprising that one day they will be pushed too far.

If you would like to take steps to really work on this with your own dog, don’t forget you can read more in one of our Intellidogs dog manual chapters ‘Kids and Dogs Safety and Sense’ available for download for just £2.99. You can just download that chapter, no need to buy a whole book!

As a dog-owning community, it is within our power to spread the word and to smash the myth that ‘only bad dogs bite’.

I’d love to read your comments and discussion points, so please feel free to air your thoughts below

Karen