Month: September 2020

“Where can I find pet grooming near me” is probably something you’ve wondered about with a new puppy at home. Your newest furry family member has probably already had a lot of firsts, and now the time has come for their first grooming experience. Once you know it’s time to find Fort Wayne dog grooming in your area, it’s important to do some research and find someone that will help your dog look and feel their best.

If you’re a new pet owner, understand that a trip to the groomer is more than just a fancy bath. You’ll want to be sure the location you choose can offer full services such as nail clipping, hair trimming or shaving, ear cleaning and can also handle any skin conditions or irritations. At our Smoochie Pooch Fort Wayne location, all of our groomers have been highly trained, which means your puppy will experience the five-star service you want them to have.

Pet Grooming Near Me That Welcomes Puppies

Your puppy’s first grooming appointment will go a long way in setting the stage for how they’ll feel about getting groomed going forward. If you want your puppy’s first visit to go as smoothly as possible, here’s what you need to know.

Do A Trial Run

Don’t let the puppy’s first time at the groomers be the first time they’ve seen a brush or nail clippers. Break out those tools at home so that they are a bit familiar with them and know what to expect. Use the opportunity to further bond with your new puppy and practice gentle touch with the brush. If they’re calm during at home grooming, be sure to reward them with a treat!

Don’t Wait Too Long To Schedule An Appointment

Don’t make the mistake of waiting until your puppy is six months of age or older before taking them for their first grooming. When looking for Fort Wayne dog grooming, find a groomer that will take puppies early. Younger puppies are easier to train, so as long as your pup has had all of their shots, it’s a good idea to take them for an initial session which can be kept short. Typically, the first puppy grooming will consist of:

• Bathing
• Light brush
• Nail trim
• Ear cleaning
• Light trim around their face and paws

Give Them Their First Bath

Just like a baby, puppies need to learn that baths are safe and can be a pleasant experience. You should be the first one to give your pup a bath, not the groomer, so be sure to have bathed them at least once at home before their first appointment. Use warm water, gentle soap and speak to them in a calm and reassuring voice.

Your Puppy Will Love Their Smoochie Pooch Experience

Our Smoochie Pooch Fort Wayne location, and all of our Indiana salons, would be happy to welcome your puppy for their first grooming experience. We know that if approached the right way, your little furry friend can come to love their grooming experience, which helps to ensure their long-term health and happiness. To find out more about our services or to make an appointment, visit our website or give us a call at (219)-286-3608.

One of the things you probably love most about your dog is their distinct personality. For example, when you book your appointment for dog grooming in Valparaiso, you can likely already predict how they’ll react when you walk them through the door.

Just as certain situations can affect their mood, your dog’s disposition can also be affected by the weather. Since every dog is unique, it should come as no surprise that the world around them influences how they feel, just as it does for people.

How the Weather Can Impact Your Dog And What You Can Do To Help

If you’ve noticed changes in your dog’s mood based on the weather patterns, you’re not alone. It’s common for pet’s to react to different temperatures and environmental cues, but there are things you can do to help reduce anxiety or discomfort they may be feeling. If you are concerned about lethargy or a loss of energy that feels extreme, contact your veterinarian.

Even if your pet loves a good dog wash, that doesn’t mean they’ll love the rain! Keep reading to find out how common weather patterns may affect your dog’s mood and how you can help.

Searching for pet grooming near me? Find out more about Smoochie Pooch

• Lighting and thunder can release stress hormones in dogs causing them to bark, shake, hide, pant, or even whimper.
• Low pressure systems and a dip in barometric pressure can cause dogs to run away to find shelter, become agitate due to fear of strong winds, or become overly curious with excessive sniffing due to the wind change that brings in so many new smells.
• In the case of high temperatures, many dogs will eat less and become less active. Some dog breeds will even exert their unhappiness about the heat by refusing to go for a walk.
• Dogs that have short snouts may experience difficulty breathing in extreme heat.
• Senior dogs or dogs with thyroid conditions may not be able to tolerate very cold weather.

When your dog is affected by the weather, do what you can to help them feel safe and secure.

• Ask your veterinarian about anxiety reducing options if your pet has a really hard time during rain storms, thunder or lightning.
• Be sure to book dog grooming in Valparaiso regularly so that your pet doesn’t become overheated in warmer months due to an unkempt coat. Regular grooming can also help stop over licking which can be a symptom of anxiety they may feel related to weather changes.
• In extreme heat, avoid heatstroke by limiting their walks to short distances.
• While it may occur to you to keep your dog hydrated during hot temperatures, anxiety from any kind of weather change can make them pant more than usual. Always make sure water is available.
• Cooling mats and kiddie pools can be great for dogs who are adversely impacted by heat.
• Do not ever leave your dog unattended in a hot car.
• If your dog experiences trauma from storms, try not to leave them home alone when you know a storm is on the way.

Find Pet Grooming Near Me to Help My Dog Feel Their Best

While a cut and a dog wash can’t alleviate all the unpleasantness your pet may feel due to weather changes, we can help them look and feel their best, which helps get through unhappier times. Smoochie Pooch has four convenient locations in Northern Indiana as well as a mobile pet spa offering a one on one pet grooming experience. Our highly trained groomers will make your dog feel at ease and can complete a full groom to meet your specifications. Book an appointment today and give your dog an experience they’ll love.

Responsible pet owners are always thinking about how to do right by their pet. Am I feeding them the right food, is there a cat groomer near me that can handle my kitten, how frequently does my dog need a bath? It can be difficult to always know the right answer and know exactly what your furry friend needs.

When it comes to bathing your dog, the reality is that the right answer depends on a lot of things. The frequency for pet grooming and bathing your specific dog will depend on their breed, lifestyle, and the length of their coat.

3 Things to Consider When It Comes To Bathing Your Dog

Searching ‘dog grooming near me’ will certainly help you find a grooming salon in Northern Indiana that can bath your dog, but sometimes you may also need to wash your pet at home. To help you learn more about your dog’s hygiene needs, Smoochie Pooch has some helpful tips and insight:

1. Coat Type.

Not surprisingly, the type of coat your dog has plays a huge role in how often they may require a bath. But don’t mistake their coat length as the main determining factor for the frequency of pet grooming they may need. There are many short haired breeds that benefit from frequent bathing too.

The more hair your dog has though, the more work it will be to properly get your pet washed. As a general rule, dogs with medium-to-large coats, could be bathed weekly depending on their lifestyle or every four to six weeks, as long as they haven’t rolled in anything dirty or smelly.

If your pet has a thick or double coat, which includes breeds such as Retrievers and Schnauzers, bathing them too frequently can strip too much oil from their skin, so always keep your dog’s individual coat type in mind.

• Their Health.

The health of your dog will influence not only how often you bath your dog, but also what you bath them with. If your dog suffers from any health conditions, you may need to use a medicated shampoo. If you’re not sure what products might be best, researching dog grooming near me will point you towards professional groomers that can help you assess any skin or coat issues your pet may have. At Smoochie Pooch, the products we use focus on skin and coat health, working to resolve any issues that may be occurring.

• Your Dog’s Lifestyle.

An active lifestyle can certainly mean more frequent baths. For dogs with short coats, you may be able to use a damp towel to rub them down after an exciting trip to the dog park or on a walk in the woods.

However, if your dog is one that gets wet often playing in the lake or muddy waters, they’ll end up needing more baths. In order to make those baths an easier occurrence, be sure to brush your dog frequently so that you aren’t dealing with mats which can lead to bigger issues.

Dog And Cat Groomers Near Me In Northern Indiana

While your pets needs matter a lot, the comfort of you and your family matters too. Sometimes your dog will need a bath so that they don’t smell when you’re snuggling on the couch or to help reduce dander in the home for those with allergies.

Need help keeping your pet’s grooming in check? Trust Smoochie Pooch to be your partner when it comes to the grooming and hygiene of your cat or dog. From regular pet grooming appointments to helping you manage and treat skin or coat issues, our expert team knows how to put your pet’s wellbeing first. With four locations throughout Northern Indiana and our mobile pet salon, contact us today to find your most convenient location, and book an appointment.