Month: August 2020

Blogs

Learn More About ISB Therapies

Post author By Smoochie Pooch
Post date August 30, 2020

Smoochie Pooch dog grooming salons in Northern Indiana have always prioritized your pet’s health and happiness. As such, we’re so pleased to share that our pet stylists are currently undergoing training to become Iv San Bernard Certified (ISB) Pet Aestheticians. Through this program, they’ll develop increased levels of knowledge and professionalism that support the level of service you’ve come to expect from us.

Dog services can be so much more than simply a haircut and a bath. The ISB products we’ll use on your dog’s hair and skin are made with quality ingredients in order to get the best results. Your pet’s skin is a barrier that plays a significant role in their overall health and wellness. ISB Certified Pet Aestheticians learn how to create and administer treatments that are customized for your dog specifically, resulting in the successful improvement of their health and wellbeing.

Why Your Dog Deserves ISB Therapy Treatments

As mentioned, ISB produces an array of products devised for various coat types and proper skin management. All products are created using top quality natural ingredients and were designed by top cosmetologists based on the actual science of skin. It’s certainly worth it to research ‘dog grooming near me that offers ISB therapy’!

When you’re pet experiences Smoochie Pooch dog grooming, they’ll experience the benefits of ISB therapies. With specific product lines such as regular maintenance, allergy (dry, itchy, sensitive skin products) and therapy, your pet will thank you for caring so much about their skin!

More specifically, here’s how ISB Treatments will support your pet:

Dogs with sensitive, irritated or itchy skin will love the Mineral shampoo and conditioner line which is extremely gentle, SLS free, and good for sensitive skin. It’s a super hydrating therapy for the coat that provides soothing and healing benefits, while also preventing hair loss.
The therapeutic line of products can treat skin issues such as bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections, hot spots, sores, crusts, folliculitis, and more. If your dog has been suffering from any of these issues, you’ll both feel immense relief after using this line and seeing amazing results.
In addition to hair and skin, ISB therapies can also help keep ears and eyes clean and also supplement overall health by using the bestselling brush out spray or polishing oils.

There are so many ways that ISB treatments can improve your pet’s health and wellbeing. Your dog’s skin and hair is often the cornerstone of how they feel overall, so maintaining their skin and coat and treating specific issues as they arise will keep your dog smiling. Your dog deserves the best, and we’re pleased to be able to offer ISB therapies as part of our dog services at Smoochie Pooch.

Dog Grooming Near Me That Uses ISB Therapies

Looking for top quality grooming for your dog? Smoochie Pooch has four locations in Northern Indiana as well as our mobile pet grooming service for added convenience. We’re true believers in how important professional grooming is for your pet and our commitment to their care is evident in all we do. The ISB therapies and product lines are a perfect fit for our salons, and we look forward to providing the best solutions that meet your dog’s needs. Contact us for more information or to book an appointment.

Blogs

Home Care Tips for In Between Appointments

Post author By Smoochie Pooch
Post date August 25, 2020

We often get asked for tips and information on what pet owners can do for their dog or cat in between grooming appointments to help keep them healthy and comfortable. From dog nail clipping to cleaning out your cat’s ears, learning a bit more about your pet’s skin, nails and coat can enable you to support their needs in between their regular grooming visits.

Depending on your pet’s needs, Smoochie Pooch suggests you visit one of our Northern Indiana salons every eight weeks. If your dog or cat would benefit from a one on one experience, don’t forget that we offer mobile pet grooming as well. When your dog is booked in for a grooming appointment, they’ll receive grooming services such as bath, brush, nails trimmed, ears cleaned, haircut, and any other services that support their specific needs. During the time that your furry family member is at home with you, consider implementing a few grooming rituals into your routine to keep them feeling their best.

3 Tips To Help Keep Your Pet’s Grooming On Track

Regular mobile dog grooming or taking your pet to the groomers doesn’t mean that pet owners are completely off the hook when it comes to caring for their furry friend’s hygiene. It may take a little while for you to get used to including these activities in your regular life, but it’s worth making the time to keep your pet happy and healthy.

1. Brushing.

In most cases, your dog or cat could benefit from bring brushed at home every other day or daily. Regular brushing will help reduce shedding, prevent matting, and preserve the grooming they received at their last professional appointment. Brushing is also a great way to strengthen the bond between you and your pet by spending some quality time together.

2. Nail maintenance.

Cat or dog nail clipping is also important when taking care of your pet, but many people feel a bit intimidated when it comes to doing this at home. While your pet groomer in Indiana will trim their nails as part of their grooming appointment, that doesn’t always mean you can just leave them until their next visit. Pets with long nails can actually lead to joint pain and other medical issues. Start by clipping one nail at a time until you both get used to the process. Ask your groomer for tips on nail clipping as you need to be sure you don’t clip too deep.

3. Build comfort with the grooming process.

After your next salon or mobile dog grooming appointment, ask your groomer what seems to make your pet the most uncomfortable. If they consistently have matted fur or are afraid of the hair dryer, start spending some time at home to help with these issues so that they can get more comfortable with the grooming process going forward.

For example, if your pet does not like to be brushed during their appointment, you should focus on showing them and letting them sniff the brush each day and rewarding them for being calm. By helping your pet understand that grooming can be a positive thing for them, they’ll get a lot more out of their experience and you’ll be making great strides in their long term health.

Give Your Pet An Exceptional Grooming Experience With Smoochie Pooch

Pet owners want the best for their pets and that’s exactly what we provide at Smoochie Pooch. With locations in Crown Point, Fort Wayne, Portage, and Valparaiso as well as a mobile pet grooming, we’re able to conveniently support the needs of your cat or dog. Whether your pet has a skin condition or just needs regular grooming to help keep their coat healthy, our experienced and professional groomers can help. Together we can greatly improve your dog or cat’s quality of life. After all, who doesn’t love a happier, healthier pet? Contact us today to book an appointment.

Dog Grooming

I Found a Tick On My Dog, What Should I Do?

Post author By Smoochie Pooch
Post date August 10, 2020

Enjoying the great outdoors with your dog is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. However, from early spring through to early fall, you need to check your pet regularly for ticks to ensure one of these sneaky creatures doesn’t bury themselves into their hair and skin. While regular dog grooming can make it easier to spot ticks, you’ll still need to make a conscious effort to check your pet, especially after any outdoor adventures that may have included tall grass or low-lying shrubs.

The easiest way to know what to look for when it comes to ticks is to learn a bit about them. Ticks actually have two body parts (their head is separate from their body) and eight legs. In Indiana, the three most common tick types are the American dog tick, the lone star tick, and the black-legged tick. The American dog tick is the most common, and prefers to feed on animals versus people, so this will likely be what you find on your pet.

How to Deal With A Tick On Your Dog

As mentioned, having nearby dog groomers that you trust to properly groom your pet is important when it comes to tick prevention. When your pet’s hair is well maintained, doesn’t have matting, and their skin is healthy, it will make it much easier for you to complete tick checks on a regular basis. Pressed for time? Try mobile dog grooming in Northwest Indiana for added convenience.

Ticks attach most frequently around a pet’s head, ears, neck, and feet, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be found anywhere else on their body. If you do find a tick, you can either contact your veterinarian to have them remove it or you can follow the steps outlined below. A tick carrying disease must feed on your pet for more than 18-24 hours before it can transmit bacteria, so it’s important to remove it as soon as possible.

To check your dog for ticks, start by running your hands over their whole body. Use the dog grooming tools you may have at home, like a brush or comb, to move through their hair and get a better look at their skin.
If you find a tick, use blunt tweezers or gloved fingers to touch the tick. If the tick’s saliva comes in contact with broken skin, it’s best to make an appointment with your veterinarian to have your pet assessed for bacteria transmission.
Dab rubbing alcohol on the tick.
Take hold of the tick as close to the dog’s skin as you can, in order to avoid detaching the head of the tick from its body.
Once you have hold of the tick, slowly pull straight back using constant pressure. It can take a few minutes before the tick lets go.
Once you’ve successfully removed it, disinfect the bite area, the tools you used and your hands.
Wrap the removed tick in a damp paper towel, place in a sealed container or plastic bag and freeze until you can bring it to your veterinarian. Be sure to tell the vet the date and location where you think your pet picked up the tick.

The next time you make an appointment for in-salon or mobile dog grooming, be sure to let them know you’ve recently found a tick on your dog so that they can watch for any sores or bite marks.

Regular Dog Grooming Can Help You Protect Your Dog from Ticks

You may be the one to find a tick on your dog but know that if you ask nearby dog groomers if they’ve ever found a tick on a customer, you’ll likely hear them say yes. At Smoochie Pooch, our professionally trained groomers are equipped to handle every situation. We’ll work with you to provide your dog with a haircut that suits their lifestyle and supports their health. When your pet’s hair and skin are properly maintained, it will make it easier for you to find ticks or other issues that need attention. To book an appointment at one of our conveniently located Northern Indiana pet salons, contact us.

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