Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Cairn Terrier - Hand Stripping
Bichon Frise - Hand Scissoring
What is Hand Stripping?
Stripping and Plucking a Terrier's coat is mandatory for the Show Ring. These hand operations assure maintenance of the natural texture of the coat, whereas clipping with a blade tool will cause the coat to loose both color and texture.. Stripping and Plucking these types of coats is the main difference between preparing for a show or clipping them as Pets. All of this Hand work is time consuming and costly. It also requires constant attention for proper maintenance. These are the main reasons why pet owners and most professional groomers do not trouble to learn these trimming methods.
What is Hand Scissoring?
The most artistic component of grooming lies in the scissoring work. The finished and polished work can only be achieved through skillful scissoring. No clipper blades are used at all, every part of the dogs body is scissored. Balance and Symmetry is easily achieved. A true Professional Groomer takes many years to achieve such techniques, and hundreds of dogs to 'practice' to make perfect on.
Why does it take so long to get my dog/cat picked up from the groomers?
Please understand, your Pet is not the only Pet that is in for a bath or haircut that day, there could be many pets in and all needing specific care and treatments, such as, Hot Oil Treatments, Color enhancement Systems, Toe nail Polishing, Teeth Brushing & Ear Flushing.
First things first, nails are trimmed, ears are cleaned, coats are brushed and or de-matted and a rough pattern is trimmed into your Pets coat, if they require a haircut, then the bath.
Hydrotherapy Bath Massage takes longer, but the quality and comfort for your Pet is worth it. Toweled dried then put in their Private "den" for a more complete fluff dry, with a ultra quiet yet high velocity air flow system. While your Pet is in the air flow system, another Pet is brought out and this entire process happens again, until all of the Pets have been bathed. Then the finishing process begins.
Final touches are applied to each Pet and their customized haircut is completed, each haircut could take up to an hour for completion, and that’s depending on the size of each pet, longer period for larger breeds are not uncommon. All of this is also done while answering the phone, letting in service deliveries that happen on a regular day, welcoming walk-in’s and setting up appointments Let’s not forget that each Pet is given ample time to relax and take a nap before each process. Be patient, you miss your Best Friend, but we need to be able to work at a pace that is comfortable for your pet as well as for ourselves. Remember, a thoroughly groomed Pet is a happy Pet!
How can I help my Pet to like coming to the Vet/Groomer's, should I use Tranquilizer's?
How often is your Pet getting out of the home. How often is he/she walked, how far and how long do you walk. Does your Pet have other reasons for leaving the home for socialization purposes, like, frequenting a Day Care Center, dog training classes or shows, how about daily trips shared with you each day you run errands, dogs love to get out and meet and greet as many people as they can, they are like a sponge and absorb each person with great pleasure, the more the merrier.
However, if your Pet is not able to do many of these, and has just a limited amount of exposure to the outside world, then chances are, your Pet could develop anxieties towards those they encounter. But have no fear, just do your best to get your Pet out and about and soon you'll see a difference in those your Pet will meet.
We try to Groom our Pet's at home and we are often bit during the process, so we want to come in more often to have them Groomed, how often is too often to be Groomed?
Typically, 6 weeks is the normal interim for Grooming most Pets. These are Pet's that require a haircut, if your Pet does not require a haircut, you can go 8 weeks in between. As for your Pet being hard to handle, you should never give up on your Pet, perhaps you need the right kind of Grooming tools to be successful, stop in and ask me for help in picking out the right kind of tools to better allow for a more comfortable experience for your at home in between touchups.
What is a Hot Spot?
Hot spots is a wound. Usually caused by licking and chewing. Left untreated it can become infected and moist. Causes can be reaction to an insect bite, chemicals in the yard and home, like carpet sprays. Seek Veterinarian attention.
Can I use Conditioner to get the mats out of my dog’s coat?
NO. You must remove the mats before you bathe your pet. Water and shampoo will bind to the mat making it harder to get out and painful for your pet. Matted hair should be brought in to have me shave them out. Smaller mats can be combed out with the use of a de mating tool.