Shampoo & Such
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Pet Grooming - A Groomer’s How To “Grooming”….it’s more than just a ‘beauty session’ for your pet. Your pet’s personal groomer can play an intricate part in their health and well being and they can provide YOU, the owner, with a field of valuable information in regard to regular grooming & maintenance. Along with your veterinarian, a groomer can be very helpful in discovering existing health and skin problems, and may be able to work with you in resolving some of them. A new puppy getting introduced into a new family, also needs to be introduced to the ’world of grooming’. Believe me, some animals think this whole grooming experience is “for the birds”…and aren’t shy about expressing their feelings on the subject!! The first basic rule of thumb is to start early. A puppy can have its first grooming around 3 months of age, just basically a ‘get acquainted’ visit, then another full grooming around 6 months. It’s a good idea to get them used to the routine of brushing, nail trims, etc…this will hopefully make everything so much easier as they get older. “Turn your pets’ bad hair day into a good hair day!!” Here are just a few basic things that will help introduce you to the grooming world…. Nails – Don’t be afraid to play around a bit with your dog’s feet; this will help it get used to the feeling of someone holding their foot in order to do a nail trim. It is a good idea if you are apprehensive about cutting nails yourself, to take your pet into your groomer or veterinarian to learn how to do it properly. If you do try it at home, make sure you have a good pair of nail clippers and some Quick Stop or a Styptic Pencil handy, just in case you cut into the quick and it starts to bleed. Ears – They should be checked on a regular basis. (Cats need clean ears too). There is an ear wash, a cleaner and a powder. If the ears are especially bad, and there is a lot of hair that has built up inside the ear, this needs to be removed. Some people say to leave it, but my own experiences have lead me to pluck the hairs out of the ear. Use ear powder to help get a grasp of the hair and pull it out. Ear powder also helps to dry the ear out and control the odor. Next step is to put a couple of drops of the ear wash into the ear canal and massage gently to bring up all the wax build-up, dirt, etc. that has accumulated in the ear. It is important not to use a Q-Tip if you don’t know what you are doing; you can damage the ear if you go too far in…stay with a cotton ball, or soft cloth. Wipe out the inside of the ear, and you can finish up with using a good quality ear cleaner. I prefer a natural one with oils to help promote a healthy ear. Bathing at home – Make sure you use a dog/cat shampoo, not a human shampoo. Our skin and a pet’s skin have a different PH level, and our shampoo can cause skin problems in your pet. Make sure you put cotton in the ears so as to not get water inside the ear; the build-up of water can cause ear infections. Anal Glands – Larger dogs have less of a problem expressing these glands on their own during a bowel movement. Smaller dogs seem to have more of a difficult time, in some cases. Check with your vet or groomer. Some groomers include ’anal glands’ as part of their services, and some don’t. One way or another, they need to be “expressed”. These little glands can be a concern. If they are a constant problem, and develop frequent infections, sometimes there is no choice but to have them surgically removed for the health and comfort of your pet, but this is only in severe cases. Brushing is mandatory! – Introduce your dog to a soft brush, and pick a time to do it. Make it part of your daily routine. “Don’t Give Up!” Many dogs can manipulate this brushing session to the point where they win the battle. Owners give up when their pet nibbles, fusses or scratches, saying “he/she doesn’t like it”. But, when they go see their groomer, they have to go through the process; it’s the groomers job to make sure that the grooming gets done. It is very helpful to a groomer that the animal they are working on is co-operative (which isn’t always the case!). This can start at home; a lot of patience, re-assurance and a firm voice goes a long way. Remember, you are the boss, not your pet during this time. A lot of times, pets co-operate at the groomers, they know that it is getting done!! The First Haircut – Can be a puzzling experience. If you have a dog for the first time, and aren’t quite sure of the style that it is suppose to have, ‘don’t panic!’ Your dog &/or cat is just that…”yours”, so enjoy them and don’t sweat the little stuff! Just because you have a Bichon (which by grooming standards should have a full scissor cut), or a Wheaten Terrier (that according to their breed should have a ‘fall’ bang), or even a Cocker Spaniel with a full-length Cocker Clip, in the end, its “up to you…the owner”. Your groomer is always there to make helpful suggestions on how they ‘see’ your dog’s style, but again, it is YOU that we groomers listen too. ‘Teddy Bear, Daisy, Kennel, Utility, Springer Cut, Lion Clip…so many clips, so many dogs & cats, it can be overwhelming to think about. You may have an idea of how you want your dog to look, and as for myself, I want to make the owner happy with the cut, and your pet happy with a positive grooming experience. Even if in some cases, I don’t really understand or agree with what a client may want, it is ultimately up to the owner to let the groomer know what they want. Don’t let your groomer tell you that your dog should look a certain way because of its breed, it’s “your” decision in the end. We can certainly inform you how this particular breed should look and what they require, but not all dogs do well with grooming. They may have skin conditions, or matt up to the extreme that an owner is incapable of de-matting them, their hair just may not be consistent with the way that it should be. A lot of factors can come into play. But, groomers can be very knowledgeable and can help to achieve that special look you want. Unless your dog is a ‘show dog’, then it is required to be groomed according to the breeds’ standard book. Otherwise, your pet is a very important part of your family, and you just want them to look well taken care of and be loved. Definitely a routine grooming can achieve that goal. Each breed requires different grooming needs, some more frequent than others. Your groomer is the best person to let you know how often your pet needs to come in. Some dogs that have long full coats, may need to come in as often as once a month. Whereas, as dog that has a basic shavedown or bath & tidy up, can go much longer than that. You still need to keep up on the nail trims & ear cleaning on a regular basis in between groomings. Teeth brushing is an important part of health care, especially in smaller dogs. Some groomers provide this service and some don’t. My theory is that if you are not going to make this a daily routine at home, one teeth brushing session at the groomers every 3 months, isn’t going to make much of a difference. There are a few ways to get your dog/cat familiarized with teeth brushing. Purchase a rubber tipped messaging brush that fits on your finger tip and just rub this inside their mouths to get them use to the feel of it. No need for toothpaste at this point, you just want your pet to feel comfortable with this procedure first. After a couple of weeks or so, purchase toothpaste. They have a variety of flavors to entice your animal to enjoy this whole experience. After they have gotten use to this, you can try using a regular pet’s toothbrush. Purchase dogie treats that help lessen the tartar build-up and something that makes them want to chew. For example, Dentabones & Greenies products are good, try to stay away from the raw hides, because they are not easily digestible in the stomach, and can cause a build-up inside the intestines & stomach. Of course, dental visits with your veterinarian are a must. As you can see, our pets need a lot of love & care. Cats and dogs cannot look after themselves alone; they need their ‘human family’ for all of their needs. They can’t always tell us when something is bothering them, or if they are in discomfort. At least with a regular grooming regimen, skin problems, fleas, lumps & warts, or any other kinds of skin conditions, can be discovered just by a routine visit to your groomer. Your groomer can be your first link to discovering some skin problems, and can suggest, along with your vet, proper shampoos that can help turn the problem around. “ Don’t be afraid to ask our groomer for tips!” Even if you think it may be a stupid question at the time, never let that stop you from getting the information you need. Many groomers do genuinely care about your pets’ needs, and are there to help you in any way they can. Your special family member deserves a long, happy & healthy life. They were special enough to be chosen to be part of your family, make sure that they stay that way. … “Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole” |
Everything you need to make your itchy dog comfortable again. All natural products that soothe the skin leaving your best friend feeling relaxed and smelling great. Includes 6 products. Regular price is $88.00 $69.99 |
This ultra-rich deep conditioning treatment relieves itchy skin and is perfect for dogs with dry, damaged & long coats. (8 oz) $19.00 |
Detangling Leave in Conditioner with Lavender & Chamomile can be used after bathing for easier brush out on specific mattes, to help untangle and to help calm a nervous dog. 7.6 oz. $17.00 |
All natural two in one shampoo and conditioner. Packed with conditioning vitamins Bubbles & Beads helps alleviate itchy and flaky skin. $17.00 |
Relief right where you need it! Our unique "nozzler" spray gets this soothing formula through the fur directly to itchy and irritated skin. No muss, no fuss, not wet fur or wasted product. Every drop of this all-natural product attacks the problem at the source. But the best part is the effectiveness of the formula. Itchin' for Relief contains a blend of neem, oat extract and aloe to soothe irritated skin while boswellia serrata & litchi help to reduce inflammation. $17.00 |
The Simplest And Safest Dog Grooming Supplies For Your Irish Setter
The coat of the Irish Red and White Setter is beautiful with it's long and luxurious fur. However, it does take some maintenance and regular care to keep their coat in excellent condition. Although the breed is an average shedder, the medium length white hair left around on the carpet and furniture often appears to be more than it actually is.
Like most dogs, they do have a heavy, twice a year, seasonal shed. Daily brushing for about a half hour will remove quite a bit of hair. Invest in a good quality dog brush and always brush in the direction of the fur. Your dog will love the attention and you will appreciate a cleaner house.
As the fur is long around the tail and stomach it is prone to collecting twigs and small burrs when they are outside. This is especially true if you take your Setter hunting. Work the burrs out with your fingers as soon as they come in the house, doing so will keep them from becoming embedded in the hair. Should you find that debris is tangled, use blunt tip dog grooming scissors to cut it out being careful not to nick the skin.
Typically, this breed does not require regular clipping of their fur. If you have your dog professionally groomed make sure to tell them only trim around the paws and ears. Once you start clipping the rest of the body, it will change the texture of the fur from soft to coarse.
Since the Setter is bred to be a hunter, spending time outdoors trudging through the woods and lakes, their fur has developed natural oils for protection. Therefore, bathe your Setter as little as possible to retain the natural oils. When you do give your dog a bath, be sure to use only pet specific dog shampoo and conditioner. Human products contain different ingredients that will cause skin irritation on your dogs' skin. There is some dog shampoos sensitive enough to use more often if would like to bathe your Setter every couple of months.
Once the bath is over it's time for a full dog grooming session, that is brushing, towel drying, brushing their teeth, and the dreaded nail trimming. If you are like most dog owners this can be a lesson in taxing your patience especially for puppies that just want play and wiggle around or older dogs that prefer to just lie down.
The easiest way around this is to invest in a dog grooming table. Although this may sound extravagant for the home groomer, their ease of use and the quality results from your grooming session more than make up for it. There are new hydraulic dog grooming tables on the market that are easy on the budget, simple and convenient to use, and offer a safe and frustration free grooming session.
These new dog grooming tables work just like the salon chair from your local hair stylist with a foot pedal to raise the table to your perfect height. They can hold up to 150 pounds, have a skid free tabletop, and rounded corners. They also come with an adjustable grooming arm and grooming loop to hold your dog in place and standing upright. Imagine being able to use dog nail clippers and brush his/her teeth without them running away or wiggling around.
Grooming Your Irish Setter should be fun for you and give your dog that "Oh...Ya, that feels great!" moment. Using quality dog grooming supplies will keep the process aggravation free for you and safe for your dog. Dog grooming tables work wonderfully and because of their adjust-ability will accommodate all your dogs. There is a reason professional dog groomers use a table, the results are amazing. You too can now have the same results without breaking the bank.
Brightening and Conditioning Shampoo with Yogurt and Honey is specially formulated to bring back the bling to light-colored coats (Although it will brighten any color coat). With pearlescent brighteners and a hint of all natural mica 9 oz. $14.00 |
These alcohol free wipes are the perfect way to clean itchy, smelly infected ears. Used together with Ear Clear they form a complete program of ear care. $14.00 |
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The handmade dog shampoo is infused with citronella and essential oils to provide natural flea control in addition to aromatherapy benefits. This all natural shampoo is hypoallergenic and safe for puppies. $13.95 |
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Promotes healthy active joints $13.00 |
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Perfect for trips to the vet, traveling or thunderstorms Sleepytime Tonic was developed to relax and calm an over-anxious dog. The blend of all natural ingredients address underlying predispositions and weaknesses which cause the anxiety. $13.00 |
• Essential oils and aloe keep the formula from being too drying
• Use after swimming to prevent ear infections • Gentle formula softens ear wax to help clean and sanitize $9.99 |
