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Smoochie Pooch - Pet Grooming
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Month: February 2023

Categories
Dog Grooming

Safety and First Aid Tips for Dog Owners

Dog Grooming

Being a responsible dog owner involves staying on top of all aspects of pet care. This includes your pet’s physical health, dog grooming, obedience training, exercise, and more. When your dog is well taken care of, you will enjoy time spent together and help them live the fullest life possible.

While regular trips for dog grooming and vet care are important to support your dog’s health, so too is keeping your pet safe and being ready to help your pet if something should go wrong:

  • Reduce Dangers at Home: Prevention is key to avoiding some types of dangerous scenarios for your dog. Be mindful of items in your home that may not be safe for your furry friend. This may include items that can cause injuries, choking, or accidental poisoning. Please review the list of harmful cleaning products below.
unsafe cleaning products for pets
  • Wellness Care: Regular visits to the vet and your dog groomer will help you take care of your dog’s well-being. Missed dog grooming appointments can result in matting, overgrown nails, or skin irritations. Over time, these issues can lead to more serious concerns that may require veterinary intervention.
  • Stock a First Aid Kit: You can buy a pre-made pet first aid kit, but if you’re looking to build your own, common materials for these include gauze pads, adhesive tape, cotton balls/swabs, an ice pack, disposable gloves, blunt-end scissors, and tweezers. The care items your dog needs may differ from what we need as humans. Be sure to have a first aid kit for your pet stocked and easy to access. If you already have a kit, be sure to ensure it is up to date with what your dog needs. It is also important to know how to use the items in your kit so that you can quickly help your pet in the event of an emergency. You can ask your vet for official literature on how to best use your kit.
  • In Case of Injury: Keep your dog warm and prevent them from moving as much as possible. Call your vet and let them know what has happened so they are ready for you when you arrive with your dog. A pet carrier is a good option for safely transporting a smaller dog. For a larger dog, a homemade stretcher may work best. In both cases, we recommend you ask your vet first about how they suggest moving your dog. They may have more specific instructions depending on the nature of the injury. You may also want to get help when moving your dog so you can keep your pet steady and stable as you move them.

Support Your Dog’s Health with Pet Grooming Near You 

Our team at Smoochie Pooch recognizes the many factors that contribute to your dog’s health and well-being. We also recognize that you want the best care for your pet. That is why you can rely on us for trusted, quality care when it comes to dog grooming near you for your furry friend. We also offer skin therapy treatments and other a la carte services.

Connect with us to learn more or to make an appointment.

Categories
Dog Grooming

Getting Started with Puppy Training

Dog Grooming

Smoochie Pooch has experience with grooming a wide range of puppies. This includes puppies with different temperaments. And they have knowledge of the best practices to groom puppies of various breeds.

Most pet owners wait until their puppy has had its second round of shots before booking their first grooming appointment. We specifically recommend bringing them in around four to six months.

Grooming will be a brand-new experience for your puppy. There are steps you can take to prepare your puppy for its first grooming. Getting started with basic puppy training is one of them. You will be able to begin setting expectations and reinforcing simple commands from an early age. This can help make time spent with your puppy at the groomer and around other people and animals more enjoyable for everyone.

How to Start Training Your New Puppy

Puppies have a short attention span. You can begin basic obedience training at home around the eight-week mark. Here are some tips on how to get started:

  • Keep training sessions short and fun. Aim for approximately 15 minutes of training per day. If you find your dog is losing focus, consider breaking your 15 minutes into smaller sessions throughout the day.
  • As your dog notices new commands such as “sit” and “stay,” practice the commands in various locations, such as at the dog grooming salon, or at the park and around different people. This will help to reinforce what they have learned.
  • Whether you reward positive behavior with praise or a treat, ensure all members of your family react in the same way for consistency in your training.
  • Be patient. It will take time for your new puppy to notice commands and positive behavior. If you find that either of you is getting distracted or frustrated, end the session, and pick it up again later.

Looking for Professional Support with Your Puppy?

If you are looking to sign up your puppy for obedience classes, your local salon or your vet may be able to offer trainer recommendations. It is important to select classes that are age-appropriate for your pup and are offered by qualified instructors.

You will also want to ensure your new dog is set up with a groomer you can trust. At Smoochie Pooch, you can rely on our friendly team to help your puppy get used to the grooming experience. Whether you choose to come into the salon or book a mobile puppy grooming appointment, you and your pet will have the best experience possible.

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