Frequently Asked Questions:
How often should my dog be professionally groomed?
A dog's grooming needs vary based on several factors. Things to be consider are: their coat type, skin condition, age, and the type of haircut you wish to maintain. But a good rule of thumb is to bring them in every 8 weeks.
At what age should I start taking my dog to the groomers?
The earlier the better! Puppies experience an important socialization period up until they are about 12-16 weeks old, and how they experience the world during this time can influence them for the rest of their lives. I would recommend having your puppy professionally groomed at least once within their first 4-5 months of age to help them become accustomed to the grooming process, such as the noise of dryers and being handled by people outside of their immediate family. Additionally, it is important to help them get used to regular maintenance at home by frequently touching their paws and ears, brushing them, and teaching them they don't have to be afraid of baths!
What kind of regular maintenance does my dog need?
Your dog should be brushed at least once a week (more for higher maintenance breeds, such as dogs with long, silky, or curly coats), have their nails trimmed once a month, and be bathed about once every month to two months. **Ask me for specifics for you and your dog!
How can I tell if my dog is matted?
The type of brushing that should be done on the regular is called "line brushing". Sometimes it can be hard to tell if a dog is matted just by looking at them, especially if you brush them often. The tricky part about brushing thick or curly coated breeds is if you don't reach all the way to the skin, while the top coat may look brushed out the undercoat actually becomes compacted. An easy trick to check if your dog is matted to take a metal comb and comb it through your dog's fur - make sure it reaches the skin! A comb will should glide through a mat-free coat, but will become stuck in a coat that is matted. To see what line brushing looks like, YouTube has plenty of videos that will walk you through it.
What can I do for my double coated dog in the summer?
Some people may opt to shave their double coated dogs when it becomes hot outside, but this should be a researched decision. Many vets and groomers believe that shaving a double coated dog can result in shave shock, a phenomenon where your dog's coat grows back patchy, a different texture/color, or maybe even not at all. Others believe that shave shock only presents itself in dogs with preexisting health conditions that prevent the hair from being able to grow back correctly and shaving a healthy double coated dog is fine. If you would rather not take the risk, the very best (and safest!) thing you can do for your double coated pups is take them to the groomers to get their undercoat blown and brushed out. This will help thin out their fur to provide air flow and relieve extra weight, and also greatly decreases shedding in your home.
What products do you use in your salon?
Here at my salon I use iGroom and Best Shot products. Both are scientifically developed, naturally inspired, and has several amazing lines that cater specifically to different coat types. It is also an amazing brand to use on pets with sensitive skin because they are oatmeal based. All shampoo baths are followed up with conditioner to keep your pets coat and skin properly hydrated and healthy.
Are there any products you suggest for bathing at home?
While of course I would suggest using iGroom and/or Best Shot at home as well, there are more cost effective options that are still healthy and can get the job done. My advice is to research whatever you buy for you pets, and to always condition after you shampoo. Also, please PLEASE do not use products on your pets that are not specifically designed for pets. The pH of our dogs' skin is different from our own and human shampoos can be damaging to their physical health.
Note: If you are bathing at home between grooms (whether you blow dry or let them air dry), brushing after they dry is a MUST!! This is the easiest time for your dog to become matted. For double coated dogs, every bath loosens the hair follicles which causes excessive shedding so a quick brush out with a slicker brush will remove all of the dead hair before it covers your house!
Not finding what you need?
You can find additional information on my "highlights" tab on my Instagram page. There you will find; skunk bath tips, allergy remedies, products and tools I recommend, before & after transformations and more!
If your questions still aren't answered, feel free to reach out to me at 614-800-9568.
You can also send me a message on Facebook or Instagram at GroomsByMiranda
A dog's grooming needs vary based on several factors. Things to be consider are: their coat type, skin condition, age, and the type of haircut you wish to maintain. But a good rule of thumb is to bring them in every 8 weeks.
At what age should I start taking my dog to the groomers?
The earlier the better! Puppies experience an important socialization period up until they are about 12-16 weeks old, and how they experience the world during this time can influence them for the rest of their lives. I would recommend having your puppy professionally groomed at least once within their first 4-5 months of age to help them become accustomed to the grooming process, such as the noise of dryers and being handled by people outside of their immediate family. Additionally, it is important to help them get used to regular maintenance at home by frequently touching their paws and ears, brushing them, and teaching them they don't have to be afraid of baths!
What kind of regular maintenance does my dog need?
Your dog should be brushed at least once a week (more for higher maintenance breeds, such as dogs with long, silky, or curly coats), have their nails trimmed once a month, and be bathed about once every month to two months. **Ask me for specifics for you and your dog!
How can I tell if my dog is matted?
The type of brushing that should be done on the regular is called "line brushing". Sometimes it can be hard to tell if a dog is matted just by looking at them, especially if you brush them often. The tricky part about brushing thick or curly coated breeds is if you don't reach all the way to the skin, while the top coat may look brushed out the undercoat actually becomes compacted. An easy trick to check if your dog is matted to take a metal comb and comb it through your dog's fur - make sure it reaches the skin! A comb will should glide through a mat-free coat, but will become stuck in a coat that is matted. To see what line brushing looks like, YouTube has plenty of videos that will walk you through it.
What can I do for my double coated dog in the summer?
Some people may opt to shave their double coated dogs when it becomes hot outside, but this should be a researched decision. Many vets and groomers believe that shaving a double coated dog can result in shave shock, a phenomenon where your dog's coat grows back patchy, a different texture/color, or maybe even not at all. Others believe that shave shock only presents itself in dogs with preexisting health conditions that prevent the hair from being able to grow back correctly and shaving a healthy double coated dog is fine. If you would rather not take the risk, the very best (and safest!) thing you can do for your double coated pups is take them to the groomers to get their undercoat blown and brushed out. This will help thin out their fur to provide air flow and relieve extra weight, and also greatly decreases shedding in your home.
What products do you use in your salon?
Here at my salon I use iGroom and Best Shot products. Both are scientifically developed, naturally inspired, and has several amazing lines that cater specifically to different coat types. It is also an amazing brand to use on pets with sensitive skin because they are oatmeal based. All shampoo baths are followed up with conditioner to keep your pets coat and skin properly hydrated and healthy.
Are there any products you suggest for bathing at home?
While of course I would suggest using iGroom and/or Best Shot at home as well, there are more cost effective options that are still healthy and can get the job done. My advice is to research whatever you buy for you pets, and to always condition after you shampoo. Also, please PLEASE do not use products on your pets that are not specifically designed for pets. The pH of our dogs' skin is different from our own and human shampoos can be damaging to their physical health.
Note: If you are bathing at home between grooms (whether you blow dry or let them air dry), brushing after they dry is a MUST!! This is the easiest time for your dog to become matted. For double coated dogs, every bath loosens the hair follicles which causes excessive shedding so a quick brush out with a slicker brush will remove all of the dead hair before it covers your house!
Not finding what you need?
You can find additional information on my "highlights" tab on my Instagram page. There you will find; skunk bath tips, allergy remedies, products and tools I recommend, before & after transformations and more!
If your questions still aren't answered, feel free to reach out to me at 614-800-9568.
You can also send me a message on Facebook or Instagram at GroomsByMiranda