Month: January 2023

Have you noticed unpleasant behavior in your dog during car rides and trips going to your local dog groomer? For many dogs, stressful situations can result in naughty behavior. However, there are tactics you can work on with your puppy–and dog training is one of them.

Time spent on puppy training will be beneficial for both you and your dog. Good puppy behaviours will help your puppy have a good relationship with other animals and people that interact with them. A properly trained puppy will cause less stress when visiting their local dog grooming professional. This training will help make your furry friend a more enjoyable companion and make your time spent together a positive experience.

Best Tips and Practices for Training Your Dog

When you bring home your new dog or puppy for the first time, there are several key resources you should secure to help your new family member live a happy, healthy life.

You will need to find a dedicated vet clinic or hospital, dog training resources, and a dog groomer near you. From about the eight-week age mark, you can begin basic obedience training at home. Professional dog trainers can certainly support your pup’s training; however, you can begin with simple commands and exercises on your own.

Here are some tips to consider as you get started:

• Keep sessions short: Aim for training sessions that last for approximately 15 minutes in length each day. When your dog is young, you can break this up into a few short sessions and keep them fun for your furry friend. You need to stop the training if you find that your dog is distracted or tired. Try an alternate time for your future training sessions.
• Reward positive behavior: Your puppy will learn through the consequences of their behavior. If their actions result in receiving a treat, they are likely to continue with this behavior to keep getting rewarded. To enforce this, ensure your family members all react to positive behavior in the same way for consistency.
• Use simple commands: When working on commands with your dog, keep them clear, short, and easy to understand. Once your dog gets the hang of a specific command, practice it in various locations, around different people, and in unfamiliar situations—like dog grooming—to reinforce the behavior.
• Practice patience: It is completely normal to experience setbacks during your dog’s obedience training. Patience is key to ensuring you and your dog do not get frustrated with the process. Remember to take breaks and keep training sessions short, so that they are an experience you both enjoy.

Proper Training Is Just Part of a Good Life for Your Furry Friend

Keeping your dog happy and healthy is a multi-faceted responsibility. An effective training schedule is just one of those facets. Proper diet, regular vet checkups, and consistent dog grooming are all important as well. If you are looking to help your dog look and feel its absolute best, connect with us at Smoochie Pooch. We offer salon grooming, mobile grooming, and skin therapy treatments that focus on quality care for your pet.

Reach out to us to make an appointment.

There are many ways to take care of your dog during the winter months. While it may be tempting to spend all your time indoors, it is important to make sure your dog gets some physical activity and stays healthy.

Part of this routine can include staying on top of dog grooming in Portage and elsewhere in Indiana. But another crucial part, staying active, can be tough during colder months.

That is why we want to help by giving you tips on how to keep your pet physically active during those cold winter days in Northern Indiana.

Tips for Keeping Your Dog Active in the Winter

Keeping your dog active is a terrific way to avoid health problems, unpleasant behavior, and pent-up energy. This gets tougher when the temperature drops and all you and your pet want to do is stay inside. The good news is that you do not have to spend all your time outdoors in the cold to get them the physical attention they need. Here are some strategies to keep in mind:

• Get active indoors: Stay active indoors by getting creative with various games and activities. Consider playing hide and seek to keep both you and your dog moving. If you have a high-energy pup, they may enjoy running up and down the stairs chasing their favorite toy.
• Keep Their Nails Trimmed: Be sure to watch your dog’s nails. After three-to-four weeks, the nails will start to “tick” on the floor, causing your dog to lose traction while playing. This lack of traction can make them less willing to play inside.
• Do not neglect outdoor activities: Fresh air is important even during the winter months. Head outdoors for walks when the sun is shining and temperatures are warmer. Try to add variety by exploring new routes. Be sure to monitor weather conditions to avoid potential winter hazards. Dogs love to play in the snow. Now could be a fun time to have a friendly snowball “fight” toss with your fur friend.
• Make mealtime fun: Slow feeders or treat puzzle cubes can turn mealtime into an activity. This can slow down your dog’s intake and encourage mental activity to make eating more fun. While this will not mean they get more exercise it hits on another important bonus of physical activity: mental stimulation.
• Dog Grooming: It is important to stay on top of your dog’s grooming during the winter months to avoid matted fur and overgrown nails. Your dog will enjoy activity time to its fullest when they are well-cared for. Most dogs love the extra attention they get from their dog groomer. They love being spoiled especially when they get treated to those Ozone Baths.  See your local dog groomers regularly to ensure your pet is not getting matted or smelly.  The team at Smoochie Pooch can teach you how to do quick and easy grooming between appointments.
• Teach them a New Trick: Now is a great time to teach your dog—especially puppies—a few new tricks. Some common tricks are:
• Shake a paw
• Bang, play dead
• Roll over
• Spin
• Sit and stand pretty
• Moonwalk
• I am a good boy/girl – take a bow
• Ring around the… object
• Fetch – me a beer
• Sit, stay, lay down.

These games are fun for both you and your dog and they help to keep them mentally stimulated and out of trouble. There’s even a book on Amazon that shows you how to teach your dog 52 tricks.

• New Toys: Visit your local pet shop for toys and activities that entertain your pup. In addition to slow feeders and treat puzzle cubes you may find other exciting options at the Smoochie Pooch pet stores (does pet stores make the cut?) that suit your dog’s interests and activity level. These toys are an important element to keep your dog moving during the winter months.

Connect with Smoochie Pooch in Indiana

During the winter months and all year long, Smoochie Pooch provides trusted, quality care for your dog. We offer convenient locations for salon grooming along with a fleet of grooming vans that will deliver personalized grooming to your home.

To learn more and book an appointment for grooming, contact us today.

Did you know? Regular dog nail trims will benefit both you and your furry friend. Short nails cause less damage to your floors and furniture in your home. Yet, more importantly, well-maintained nails will prevent pain and discomfort for your pooch. Shorter nails also prevent the traction issues that are present when nails are unruly.

For these reasons, it is safe to say that dog nail trims cannot be overlooked. We recommend clipping and filing your dog’s nails every three to four weeks. If you feel comfortable taking on this task at home, here are some tips to help you with the process:

How to Trim Your Dog’s Nails During Dog Grooming at Home

• Invest in proper tools: There are many types of products on the market. Your dog groomer can recommend the items that will best suit your dog. Be sure to review the instructions provided to familiarize yourself with the tools before you begin the process.
• Know when it is time for trimming: While every three to four weeks is a general guideline for how often nails need trimming, keep an eye on your pooch. Your dog’s nails are considered too long if they are protruding over the pad. Your dog’s nails should not touch the ground when your dog is standing.
• Learn about your dog’s paws and nails: There is value in taking the time to understand the parts of your pet’s nails, including the quick and the hard outer surface. Review what you need to know about safe dog nail clipping before you get started. A bad nail trimming experience with your dog can increase their anxiety around this important piece of dog grooming and make it harder for you the next time you must do it. You can also ask your groomer for advice to make sure you do not clip your pet’s nails too deep.
• Be patient: As both you and your dog get used to the process, take it slow. Your goal is to make it as calm an experience as you can for your pet. Begin by clipping one nail at a time. Use quick, smooth motions while holding the nail steady. If either you or your dog is not comfortable, do not hesitate to reach out to your local groomer.

Connect with Smoochie Pooch for Dog Nail Trimming Near You

Remember, if either you or your dog is not comfortable with grooming at home, professional support is available. At Smoochie Pooch, we offer pet care and grooming in Indiana which includes dog nail trims. We have various locations throughout northwestern Indiana for your convenience. If you are unable to visit one of our locations, connect with us to arrange an appointment with one of our mobile groomers.

Reach out to make an appointment and learn more.

If you are looking for help when it comes to grooming your dog or cat, but cannot visit a salon location, rest assured that an alternative is available. Local mobile dog groomers and cat groomers will bring their expert services directly to you.

What Are the Benefits of Mobile Dog Grooming?

If you need help keeping up with regular grooming for your pet, here’s why mobile grooming services are an excellent choice:

1. Time saved: When you are looking for a way to get more out of your weekly schedule, you have to find places where you can get hours back to devote elsewhere, even if it is just to taking care of yourself! Mobile dog grooming in Valparaiso, Fort Wayne, Plymouth, Portage, Schererville, Crown Point, and the surrounding areas saves you the hassle of driving to your local dog groomer when you do not have time to go into town. It also keeps you from having that in-between time from drop-off to pick-up. With a mobile groom, you will be right there when the groom is done.
2. Fewer car rides: No need to make your car’s interior a mess or full of dirty dog smells. Let our local mobile groomers come to you. That way you will not have to clean your car or deal with unpleasant pet odors.
3. Reduced stress on your pet: Trips in the car can be a source of stress and/or anxiety for many pets. With mobile dog grooming and cat grooming, your furry friend will receive one-on-one attention at your home, providing peace of mind for both you and your pet.
4. Complete service—without the salon: Dog and cat groomers who provide mobile grooming services are equipped with the training and tools needed to groom your pet. They will have everything on hand to ensure your dog or cat receives the same professional treatment and care that they would receive in one of our Smoochie Pooch salons.
5. More Personalized: Your pet is the center of your groomer’s attention. While your pet enjoys the excellent grooming services that Smoochie Pooch prides itself on, there will not be interruptions from other people or animals. Your mobile grooming experience also gives you a chance to get to know your pet’s groomer or understand their process better. We love getting to know our customers and helping them get a clearer picture of how we work, so do not be shy if you have questions!
6. Easier for older pets: Depending on how aging has affected your pet, just getting to the salon could be a difficult and painful experience. Bringing the salon to you eliminates a lot of steps that could make your older pet’s salon journey less than stellar. The only experience we want for both you and your pet is an outstanding one, so we may even recommend mobile over in-salon depending on your pet’s needs.
7. Healthy environment: Different dogs and cats have different health needs that could dictate a need to not be around other animals at all. Certain pets may have allergies to products that work fantastic for other pets, or they could have a weakened immune system which makes it unwise to have them around other animals unless necessary. Our salons are held to the highest standard of health and cleanliness for all pets and would be perfectly safe for most pets, but some dogs and cats need isolation from other animals, and that simply is not possible in a salon.
8. Avoids the Age-Old “Cats and Dogs” Dilemma: Whether it is a Himalayan, a Maine Coon, or an American Shorthair, most cats don’t get along with most dogs unless those cats were specifically socialized with some canine friends for part or most of their lives. For this reason, a lot of cat owners looking for that personalized groom experience for their feline friend may prefer an at-home groom.
9. Keeps Territorial Behaviors in Mind: Some dogs can be quite territorial, and most cats are inherently this way. Your pet’s temperament may dictate the need for mobile pet grooming, or at the very least such temperaments could make a mobile groom an easier choice for everyone involved.

Connect with Smoochie Pooch for Mobile Dog Grooming

Smoochie Pooch offers trusted, quality pet care and grooming services in Indiana. Our fleet of mobile grooming vans is fully equipped to deliver personalized grooming service right to your home. We service:

• Schererville
• Valparaiso
• Plymouth
• Portage
• Crown Point
• Fort Wayne

The above list is just the highlights of our service area, we cover a sizable portion of northwest Indiana.

Our services add time back into your day while providing your pet with the best grooming services possible.

Connect with us to book a mobile grooming appointment and get started.