In the spirit of Mardi Gras, we veered off topic last week. So, let’s get back to that list of reasons your dogs’ haircut costs more than yours. I believe we’re on number 5:

You sit still for your hairdresser; you don’t wiggle, yank, pull, or simply refuse to hold up your head.

You sit still for your hairdresser because you know what's going on. You know there are scissors and clippers at work around your face. You know they are trying to style your hair and the more you cooperate the easier it is and the better the style.

Your pets are blissfully unaware.

What they know is that they're on a table suspended in the air. All the while, some strange (albeit very nice and super talented) lady with sharp objects is being very invasive. The things involved in your pets grooming are much more surprising to them than when you are getting your bangs trimmed. We are shaving some sensitive areas, the clippers are buzzing and tickling their ears and toes. We understand that.

We always try to see it from your pets point of view.

Keeping this in mind, we allow extra time for puppies, elderly pets, pets with medical conditions and just nervous Nellies. It takes time and patience to earn your pets trust and teach them what is expected of them while they are being groomed. Whether it’s calming a happy lab or easing a poodle’s nerves, it is a process and it takes time.

Groomers have right equipment for this process. Keeping a dog on a regular table is a lot more challenging than keeping a dog on a grooming table with an arm designed to hold the dog's collar. So, we recommend taking your pet to a professional.

We also recommend you pick one groomer and stick with them, much like the hair stylist you’ve been going to for years. Different groomers work differently. If you find one you like it is important they build a rapport with your pet. This way, the dog learns to be comfortable and knows what is expected from them while all those clippers are buzzing and scissors are snipping.

Also, frequent grooming keeps the process fresh in the dogs mind. Reinforces proper behavior and allows for "table training" where we work with the dog and tech them proper manners while being groomed. Believe it or not, the solution to wiggling, biting, jumping, and pulling is MORE grooming. That is right; keep coming back!

We hope we’ve helped! And we hope to see you soon! As always, please leave any comments or questions below.

I’d like to leave you with this quote to chew on:

"I've seen a look in dogs' eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt,
and I am convinced that basically dogs think humans are nuts." - John Steinbeck
Happy Grooming, Animal Lovers!