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Dog Grooming

Why on Earth Does My Dog Shed So Much?

Unless you’ve specifically searched out a non-shedding dog breed, chances are your dog will do some shedding at home. It’s just what they do and is part of everyday life for a dog. Even if you make appointments for dog grooming regularly, you’ll need to have a plan for managing the dog hair at home.

Smoochie Pooch in Valparaiso offers a shed relief system as part of our services for those dogs that shed a lot year-round or to help with seasonal shedding. While it may be assumed that shedding only once or twice a year would be better, that can bring about a lot more hair in a shorter period of time than if they shed their coat evenly throughout the year.

Dog Grooming Tips – What You Should Know About Shedding

Dogs naturally lose old or damaged hair by shedding. It’s considered a very normal process that rids them of their undercoat, with some regular fur loss occurring as well. If you know your dog is healthy but they still regularly shed a lot, understand that it’s just the way a dog’s body works. Shaving a dog to handle shedding is not recommended.

When your dog sheds, it will be visible on your clothes, furniture, and around the house but will not generally be visible on your dog’s body. As a pet owner, excess shedding can be tricky to manage. To help, reach out to a dog grooming expert and find out what the best type of brush would be to help support shedding. From a slicker brush to a glove brush, the right tools can go a long way.

Looking for more ideas on how to manage normal shedding? Smoochie Pooch also suggests considering adding healthy fat to your dog’s diet and increasing the frequency of baths during the summer months. More frequent baths will help rinse off dead hair, which will significantly reduce the hair found around the house.

It’s important to be able to recognize shedding versus fur loss, as loss of hair can be an indicator of other health concerns. If your dog’s fur has become very dry or falls out unevenly or in clumps, you’ll want to get them to the vet to be checked for allergies, hormonal imbalances, and other illnesses.

Manage Your Dog’s Shedding with Help from Smoochie Pooch

Regular grooming can really help your dog look and feel their best and help manage shedding too. At all of our locations, including Smoochie Pooch in Valparaiso, our highly trained groomers can tailor your dog’s grooming experience to their specific breed and offer you suggestions on how to help keep their shedding at bay. Whether you increase the frequency of their grooming appointments or choose our shed relief service, you can count on us to help you and your dog handle shedding in the best way possible. Contact us today to book an appointment.

Categories
Dog Grooming

When Should I Bring My Puppy For its First Groom and How Should I Prepare It?

Are there nearby dog groomers in Valparaiso that will take your young puppy for their first groom? The answer is yes! Early experiences can go a long way in helping them develop a positive relationship with professional services such as grooming, the vet, or any dog walking or dog sitting services you may need.

Puppies actually remember their first experiences with something quite well, so choosing great dog groomers in Valparaiso, Indiana, is really important. Their first grooming experience will stay with them their whole life, and so it’s best to do what you can to ensure it’s positive.

Finding Pet Grooming Near Me & Helping My Puppy Be Ready

At around the 10–12 week mark, you can make an appointment to take your puppy in for the first grooming session. Most people do wait until they’ve had their second round of shots. However, a puppy’s first grooming appointment should occur before 16 weeks of age.

In order to get them ready for their first visit to the nearby dog groomers, begin touch training as soon as you bring them home. Make sure you are gently petting and handling your puppy all the time, including frequently touching their paws, teeth, nails, ears, and inner thighs. Once your new puppy is comfortable being handled, move on to getting them used to brushing so that they are familiar with some of the tools used when being groomed.

As mentioned, even if you work to help your puppy know what to expect at their first grooming appointment, it’s equally important to finding a salon that will treat them well and be able to groom them with confidence and experience. When searching for ‘pet grooming near me, take the time to read online reviews, visit their website and call to speak to someone on the phone.

It’s also a good idea to stop by the salon before your first visit to make sure that the facility smells good, is clean and well-lit. The people you interact with should be knowledgeable and friendly so that you can expect they’ll treat your dog in the same respectful fashion.

Best Dog Groomers in Valparaiso, Indiana

At Smoochie Pooch, we’ll ask you to let us know about any sensitive areas your puppy may have in order to make sure they’ll have the best experience possible. When you bring your new puppy in for grooming at one of our multiple salons, you can feel confident knowing that all of our groomers are highly trained and truly love pets. Trust us; your pup is in good hands! Our whole team strives to ensure that a puppy’s first experience is a great one. If you have any questions about booking an appointment for your puppy, please reach out to us at your convenience. We’d love to hear from you!