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pet grooming

Why Grooming Regularly Is important

Booking an appointment for dog grooming may only come to mind when your dog’s coat or hair is long and they look shaggy or matted. But did you know that making sure your dog or cat gets groomed regularly isn’t just about their fur coat? Professional pet grooming in Fort Wayne will help support your pet’s skin, eyes, ears, nails, and teeth as well as their hair and fur.

It’s important for pet owners to think of grooming as an essential part of caring for your furry family member. Not only does it help them look good, but it’s an investment in their overall health. The amount of regular grooming your dog or cat will need will depend on their breed and coat type, but there’s no doubt that adequate grooming is important for all four-legged pets.

4 Reasons Your Pet Needs Grooming Appointments Regularly

If you haven’t found the right dog groomers in Fort Wayne yet, Smoochie Pooch can help. With a grooming salon conveniently located on Lima Road in Fort Wayne, we’d be happy to help you keep your dog or cat well-groomed all year long.

Here are four reasons why booking those cat or dog grooming appointments regularly throughout the year will help your pet feel their best.

Prevention.

Having your pet groomed and bathed regularly is one of the best ways to prevent flea and tick infestations. Regular grooming also means that your pet will have their ears cleaned frequently, which can be particularly important for breeds prone to ear infections.

Comfort.

Just like people, taking care of your hygiene feels good for pets too. With the right brush and brushing technique, it can feel like a massage. It also helps remove excess hair that can feel uncomfortable, stimulate new hair growth and bring the natural oils back to their skin. Regular cat and dog grooming also prevent matting, which can lead to skin issues.

Protects their feet and joints.

Trimming your pet’s nails isn’t an easy job which means it often gets overlooked by pet owners. However, regular nail trimming, which will be done at your regular grooming appointment, is a very important part of keeping them in good health. Did you know that long nails can make your dog start walking on sides of their feet? Not only will this cause them pain but can lead to bone deformations and arthritis if untreated.

Supports their general health and well-being.

When you and your pet become familiar with a regular grooming salon, that means you’ll have a groomer that will become familiar with your cat or dog’s skin. When they see your pet regularly throughout the year, they’ll be aware of any lumps, bumps, or changes that may indicate other health issues you need to be aware of. Early detection, which is often found through grooming, is important for all diseases and will improve your chances of being able to get your pet the care they need.

Pet Grooming in Fort Wayne With Smoochie Pooch

When it comes to your pet’s health and happiness, know that Smoochie Pooch’s cat and dog groomers in Fort Wayne are committed to ensuring your pet gets the absolute best care. For more than 10 years, Smoochie Pooch has offered exceptional grooming services, paying special attention to both your pet’s skin and coat. We employ some of the industry’s top dog groomers, and our team is trained in animal behavior and grooming techniques for a wide variety of breeds. Book an appointment with us today and let your pet experience the Smoochie Pooch difference!

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Dog Grooming

Getting A New Pup? Introduction Tips for Meeting the Family

Smoochie Pooch dog grooming loves hearing from excited families who have recently welcomed a new puppy. While you want to make sure you have the right supplies to make your pup comfortable and that you have researched dog services you may need, it’s also important to give some thought to how you’ll integrate the puppy into your family.

Even if everyone is excited for your furry family member’s arrival, once they’ve been brought home, it can take a while for everyone to warm up to each other. It can be overwhelming for the puppy but also for young children or any other pets living in your home.

Tips for Helping Your New Puppy Feel Welcome At Home

Before your puppy makes their grand arrival, remind everyone at home to be patient and to start with quiet and calm interactions. It’s best to go slow and see how the puppy reacts to their new surroundings before overwhelming them with lots of new scents and faces.

Smoochie Pooch is sharing some helpful tips to support a smooth transition for both your new puppy and everyone in your family. And when you’re ready, Smoochie Pooch dog grooming would be happy to help you book an appointment for your new pup!

  • Before your children meet their new puppy, have lots of conversations about how dogs are living things that have feelings just like they do. Dogs can feel nervous, scared or unsure, so children need to be very gentle and should avoid making loud noises.
  • Have children sit on the floor to meet the puppy, this will help the dog feel more secure.
  • Allow children to give the puppy treats in order to encourage the dog to develop positive associations towards the kids in the home.
  • For older children, get their help in caring for the new family pet. From feeding and walking the puppy, to asking them to search ‘dog grooming near me’ and making a list of options, get them involved as much as you can.
  • If you have another dog at home, make the introduction to the new puppy while both dogs are on a leash. If possible, try making the introduction outside of your home, in a more neutral setting.
  • If you have a cat at home, it’s best to keep them separate at first and let them observe each other through a gate or a glass door. When you do introduce them, keep the puppy on a leash so they can’t chase the cat.
  • Don’t leave a puppy unsupervised with your children or other pets until you’re sure they’re all comfortable with each other.
  • Have dog services like a veterinarian or dog walker, if needed, selected ahead of time. This is one less thing to do once your new puppy is home, allowing you to focus your attention on their needs.

Meeting new people and new animals will be very tiring for your new puppy. Give them lots of short opportunities to interact, followed by lots of praise when things go well. If they show any signs of nervousness or seem uncomfortable, give them some quiet time and then try again.

Where to Find Dog Grooming Near Me for My New Puppy

At Smoochie Pooch, we have plenty of experience grooming new puppies. Our team will do an excellent job at making you and your new puppy feel welcome in any one of our Northern Indiana locations. With so many new experiences, let us take care of making sure your puppy feels comfortable and safe during their first groom. As soon as your new furry friend has had their shots, give us a call at (219) 286 3608 to make an appointment. We look forward to helping your puppy build a lifelong love of grooming!

Categories
Dog Grooming

10 Fun Games To Play With Your Dog This Summer

Warmer weather can serve as a reminder to book your dog’s appointment for pet grooming, but it also presents a great invitation to get outside and enjoy all that summer has to offer. When you’re making your summer plans this year, don’t forget to include some outdoor fun for your dog too!

Outdoor play is a great way to tire out your pet, bond with them, and infuse some joy into both of your lives. Whether you live near water, the beach or have a great backyard space, there are plenty of games you can play with your dog to make the most of the time off you have together over the summer.

Get Outside and Try These Games with Your Dog

Smoochie Pooch dog grooming loves to see pets and their owners making the most of their time together. Whether you’ve been enjoying summers with your dog for years or you’ve recently welcomed a new puppy, playing will prove to be a mood booster for the whole family.

A reminder that because summer play can involve sand and water, be sure to keep those regular pet grooming appointments to keep your dog’s skin and coat in great condition. Smoochie Pooch has four locations across Northern Indiana and also offers mobile dog grooming for added convenience.

Ready to play?

1. Hurdles. Set up some small obstacles in your yard and encourage your dog to jump over them and follow the course.

2. Hide and seek. Grab one of your dog’s favorite toys and go hide it outside. Bring the dog out and tell them to find the toy.

3. Treat hunt. Gather some treats or treat stuffed toys and hide them around your backyard. Then invite your dog outside and watch them sniff their way to the rewards.

4. Tug of war. This is a great game to help release inner aggression and to teach your dog how to take it and to let go when directed.

5. Name game. Start off with just one or two of your dog’s favorite toys and give them each a name. Call out the name of each toy, and be sure to keep it basic. Then, call out one of the toys by name and throw it so he can retrieve it.

6. Simon says. This is an ideal game for dogs who already know basic commands like sit, stay, down, roll over, and shake. Grab some treats and test your dog on their ability to understand a sequence of commands. Pet grooming that cleans and trims their ears will be essential so they can properly hear all those commands!

7. Round we go. This game is perfect for the whole family to enjoy. Every member sits around the yard with a handful of treats. Every person takes turns calling out the dog’s name and every time the dog comes to the right person, reward them with treats and praise.

8. Frisbee throw. Catching a Frisbee takes agility and concentration. To start, roll the Frisbee on the ground for them to chase, then start throwing it low, and finally see how high they can jump to catch it!

9. Drop it in place. Grab an empty box or a hula hoop and your dog’s favorite ball. Drop the ball into the basket or hoop while saying “drop.” Now it’s your dog’s turn. Every time they drop it into the right place when you say “drop,” reward them for their great work.

10. Red light, green light. All players, both people and dogs, spread out in an open space. Instead of saying “red light” and “green light,” the words for the game would be “come” and “stay”.

Smoochie Pooch Dog Grooming Will Keep Them Happy and Healthy All Summer Long

Whether it’s mobile dog grooming or a salon appointment you’re looking for, Smoochie Pooch can help. Our highly trained groomers know how to keep your dog’s skin and coat in excellent condition allowing them to thrive all summer long. With a wide range of grooming services and in depth knowledge of the needs of different breeds, trust our team to help your furry companion look and feel their best. Make an appointment today at our Fort Wayne, Crown Point, Portage or Valparaiso locations and then get planning your best summer yet!