Month: December 2020

Why Shouldn’t I Shave My Double-Coated Dog?

Post author By Smoochie Pooch
Post date December 25, 2020

It should come as no surprise that a dog’s coat serves a specific purpose and that different breeds have different coat types. This can make dog grooming a bit more challenging as you need a skilled and experienced groomer to handle all different coat and hair types properly.

One of the most unique coat types belongs to double-coated dogs such as Shiba Inus, Huskies, Miniature Schnauzers, and Havanese, to name a few. These dogs have two coats, a longer outer layer, and a softer undercoat. Before you start dog grooming at home and attempt to shave a double-coated dog to help with shedding or temperature regulation, know that there are so many reasons why your dog needs to keep their double coat just the way it is.

Proper Dog Grooming For a Double-Coated Dog Matters

There are a lot of neat facts to learn about the dual layers some dogs have. When choosing dog grooming professionals in Indiana, make sure they have experience grooming double-coated dogs. If they suggest you shave them, it’s time to find another groomer!

Double coats provide your dog with protection from the outside elements. It acts as insulation keeping your dog warm in the winter and cool in the summer. In addition, many double-coated dogs have paler skin and are therefore more susceptible to sunburn. Their outer layer guard hairs reflect the sun’s rays, protecting them from sun damage too.

One of the questions that comes up a lot is that if a double-coated dog is shedding a lot, wouldn’t it help shave them down to help the shedding process? Shaving a double-coated dog is not a smart thing to do. Shaving will prevent cool air from getting to their skin and eliminate their sun protection, leading to greater risks of overheating, sunburn, and even skin cancer.

It may seem like dog grooming at home with the tools to shave your pet would be an easier option, but in addition to making their temperature regulation more difficult, you’ll likely still be left with a shedding dog anyway.

You also run the risk of their hair not properly growing back. The older your dog is, the less likely that their topcoat will grow back, and they’ll look patchy for the rest of their life. Shaving them will not only make them look bad, but you’ll be stripping a double-coated dog of their natural ability to protect themselves.

Choosing Dog Grooming Professionals That Support Your Dog’s Health

Your dog’s skin and coat health are directly correlated to their overall health and wellness. When you choose a location for dog grooming in Indiana, make sure you select a groomer who truly understands what is best for your dog and breed type.

At Smoochie Pooch, our team of trained and talented groomers will speak with you and get to know your dog to understand their needs fully. While we recommend regular grooming appointments, regularly brushing them at home in between appointments is also ideal to ensure their coat stays healthy and doesn’t get matted. To book your next appointment, give us a call at (219) 286 3608.

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Tips for Washing Your Dog in the Winter

Post author By Smoochie Pooch
Post date December 15, 2020

It’s important to see your local dog groomers regularly throughout the winter so that your dog’s coat is in good condition and can properly insulate them from the cold. However, there will also be a time in the colder months where you may have to give your dog a bath at home.

Bathing your dog during the winter months can be a health risk if you don’t take the time and proper care to handle things well. Indiana and other northern states can certainly experience cold temperatures, so the right precautions will go a long way in keeping your pet happy and healthy.

4 Ways to Ensure Washing Your Dog In Winter Is Successful

Whether your dog loves getting sudsy or not, it’s best to be prepared before you decide to bathe your pet. When your dog has an appointment for dog grooming in Portage, those groomers follow a particular method for bathing, and while you don’t need to be a professional, it’s good to have a plan!

Follow these tips for winter bathing, and your dog will be the happiest and cleanest dog around. If you need advice on which shampoos or skincare products to use, check in with your local dog groomers for their recommendations.

1. Keep wet dogs indoors.

It’s too difficult for your dog to maintain a healthy body temperature when wet if they’re out in cold weather. It will put them at risk of hypothermia. If you tend to run the heat low, turn it up an hour or so before bath time and keep your home on the warmer side until your pet is thoroughly dry.

2. Use warm water.

Salons offering dog grooming in Portage can give you tips when it comes to finding the right temperature to bathe a dog in winter. Warm baths not only keep your pet comfortable but will also help ensure that they maintain a healthy, warm body temperature.

3. Make bath time earlier in the day.

Since your dog should stay inside until their coat is completely dry, it’s a good idea to bathe them first thing in the morning. This way, they’ll have most of the day to dry fully and, by early evening, should be ready to enjoy a walk outside.

4. Use the right drying tools.

You can almost guarantee that your dog will want to shake after bath time, but you’ll still need to use a thick, absorbent towel to speed up the dry time and to get out as much moisture as possible. Not only will this stop them from catching a chill, but they’ll be ready to go outside that much sooner. If you opt to use a blow dryer, use the lowest temperature setting and hold it at least seven inches away from their coat to avoid burns.

Book a Winter Appointment with Top Dog Groomers In Portage At Smoochie Pooch, we take every precaution to make sure your pet is treated well and that their health and wellbeing are always a top priority, whatever the season. Being known as top dog groomers in Portage means that you can expect top quality service from us every time your pet comes to see us and that we’ll use the best products to ensure their coat is clean and healthy. It’s important to keep your dog well-groomed through the winter months to help them manage snow and ice, especially when it comes to their paws. To find out more about our grooming services and how to make an appointment, contact us.

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Can Dogs Sense Emotions?

Post author By Smoochie Pooch
Post date December 8, 2020

Dogs have long been considered a cherished part of the family. From finding the best Portage dog grooming salon to ensuring they have the right diet to keep them healthy and strong, pet owners do what they can to give their dogs a good life.

But did you know that it’s been scientifically proven that dogs can sense our moods and emotions? They seem to possess a special gift when it comes to understanding how we’re feeling. As such, even if you aim to do the best for your dog, be mindful of the fact that when you’re feeling angry, upset, scared, or frustrated, they’ll be impacted by those emotions too.

Understanding How Your Pet Processes Your Emotions

Ever noticed that if you get excited when the local mobile dog groomers pull up to your house that your pet will get excited too? It’s not only the expression on your face but your tone of voice that allows dogs to decipher your mood.

Today, Smoochie Pooch is sharing some interesting facts that help explain how dogs process our emotions:

Dogs can distinguish positive sounds like laughing, as well as negative sounds like crying. Negative sounds upset and arouse a dog more than positive ones.
It is believed that the ability to combine both sound and visual emotional cues is inherent to dogs. Because they are a highly social species, detecting emotions in humans has helped them become ideally domesticated over generations.
When dogs hear your emotional distress, whether you need help or are exhibiting sadness, virtual credit card they are inclined to help, and it raises their stress level if they can’t get to you to provide comfort.
Because dogs are pack animals, they are more inclined to pick up on their family’s emotions (their pack) since they are driven to protect and stay loyal to those in their tight-knit group.
Dogs are also great observers, much better than people are. Dogs combine visual cues and the more primitive senses of smell, touch, and hearing and pick up on humans’ emotions.

When choosing a boarding facility, a vet, or local mobile dog groomers, it’s important to choose a place that feels relaxed and where the staff is happy and kind during all your interactions. As you can see, your pet will pick up on negative energy, and it will most certainly impact their experience and possibly even their health. At Smoochie Pooch, we’ll always help your pet to feel at ease and know how to interact with them so that they understand we’re happy to see them at every visit!

Find Portage Dog Grooming That Understands Your Pet

Just as pets work hard to understand what you might be going through, humans owe it to them to know what’s going through their minds too. When you choose Smoochie Pooch as your local cat or dog groomer, you can feel confident knowing that we take the time to get to know your pet and work to meet their emotional needs in addition to their hygienic needs. With a location in Portage, three other Indiana locations, and our mobile grooming service, we know that we can take care of all of your pet’s needs and deliver them back to you feeling happy, safe, and clean. Make an appointment with us for pet grooming today!

Smoochie Pooch Portage

10 Tips to Keep Your Dog Happy and Healthy in Winter

Post author By Smoochie Pooch
Post date December 1, 2020

Does your pup love the winter, or would they rather stay inside and watch the snow fly from the window? Either way, pet owners and local dog groomers need to know how to best support dogs of all breeds so that they thrive in the colder winter months.

At Smoochie Pooch in Portage, we see dogs of all types and know that it’s not fair to assume that because dogs have a fur coat, they can tolerate cold weather better than humans. Domesticated dogs are used to the comfort of indoor shelter, so cold weather can be hard on them too.

Caring For Your Dog In the Winter Months

While your local dog groomers can help determine a good coat length for your pet over the winter, as a general rule, if it’s too cold for you to stand at the door without a coat on, it’s probably too cold for your dog also. If you notice that your dog is whining, shivering, or holding up their paws when outside, it’s time to bring them in.

Smoochie Pooch in Portage is sharing ten tips to ensure your dog has a happy and healthy winter.

1. Walk when the sun shines.

If possible, walk in the late morning or early afternoon when temperatures are a little warmer. Spend time playing outdoors while it’s sunny so that both you and your pet get some needed vitamin D.

2. Limit the length of outdoor time.

Ears, paws, and tails are susceptible to frostbite, regardless of what type of coat your dog may have. When the temperature drops, don’t leave your dog outdoors for long periods.

3. Invest in cozy bedding.

No one wants to sleep on a cold floor! Be sure your dog has cozy bedding and is not sleeping near drafts and cold spots to ensure they stay warm.

4. Moisturize.

Dry and cold weather can be harsh for your pet’s skin. To prevent dry and flaky skin, try adding a coat supplement to their food. Ask your local dog groomers or veterinarian for recommendations. If you find that your dog’s paws, ears, or tail are dry, try applying coconut oil topically as needed.

5. Don’t overfeed them.

Colder temperatures will likely mean less active time, so they may need fewer calories. Pay attention to your dog’s activity level and adjust their food intake accordingly.

6. Get your dog groomed regularly.

Dogs need a well-groomed and clean coat to keep them properly insulated, so search ‘best dog groomers near me’ to ensure your pet sees a groomer that knows the type of cut they need.

7. Pay extra attention to their paws.

Trim the hair that grows between their pads regularly to prevent ice buildup. Salt used to melt ice can burn your dog’s pads and is toxic, so be sure to wipe their paws after a walk to remove any salt, so they don’t lick it off. Consider using dog booties if you feel your pet would be receptive.

8. Watch out for snowbanks.

Snow piled up high can offer your dog access to escape routes they might not be able to resist! If you are clearing snow, pile it away from fences to prevent dogs from climbing over.

9. Look for other winter hazards.

It’s easy for a dog to venture onto unsafe surfaces such as frozen ponds or lakes, especially if they’re covered in snow.

10. Avoid antifreeze.

Antifreeze tastes sweet, and dogs will readily lick it. However, it’s extremely toxic for them. Keep your dog away from areas where they may encounter antifreeze.

Who Are the Best Dog Groomers Near Me to Prepare My Dog for Winter?

Smoochie Pooch in Portage recommends keeping these winter care tips in mind so that you and your pooch can enjoy everything winter has to offer. To help manage winter wellbeing, don’t forget to book regular grooming appointments for your dog. The highly trained staff at Smoochie Pooch will ensure your pet is expertly groomed and ready to make it through the winter months looking and feeling great. Make an appointment with our skilled groomers by calling (219) 286 3608.

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