Q. What are the actual things dog groomers have to do?

A. The dog groomer spends his or her day clipping, brushing, bathing dogs, cutting toenails, expressing anal glands and cleaning ears. We also spend a lot of time greeting customers, taking information about the pet and it's grooming requirements, answering phones, scheduling appointments and answering infinite questions about dogs and grooming. (A good groomer should try to educate the clients regarding its pet’s health.) All this is done while dodging teeth and toenails and trying to prevent the animas from jumping out of the tub or off of the table. (Behavior modification is our hardest task.) We clean urine and defecation from crates, floors, and tables, not to mention hair from everything. We sweep, mop, vacuum, bleach, stock shampoo and conditioner, repair equipment and solve any other crisis that arises. As a pet relations expert, we often act as grief counselors for our customers

Q. What are some benefits in grooming dogs?

A. There are two sides to every story. The groomer has a feeling of satisfaction from creativity. A clean, well-groomed pet is, usually, a happy and healthy one. We always love the excuse to play with puppies, and well-behaved dogs are no exception. Developing a bond with pets and customers alike is very rewarding and these sometimes even grow into extended families. Having a well-groomed dog usually indicates a healthy and well cared for pet. Dogs that are professionally cared for on a regular basis generally get more frequent eye, skin, mouth, and nail exams than other dogs. When something new arises, the groomer should alert the customer to talk to a veterinarian. A surprising number of clients think it is normal for their dog's breath to smell like a dead mouse, please remember that dental hygiene is as important as bathing.

Q. How do I manage my dog’s flea problem?

A. There are many prescription flea control products on the market. Drops that are placed on the skin behind the shoulders and down the back include products like Advantage or Frontline. These permeate the outer layer of skin and dander, which the fleas eat and take to the colony. The pesticide then reduces the flea population at its source, adults and babies alike. There are other prescriptions available through your vet; these include sprays and medicated treats or pills such as Capstar. This is a pill that kills fleas on your pet within 30 minutes to four hours. It is temporary and the effects only last about two days, but the fleas can’t hide from this like they do with other products. Always be sure to discuss options with your pet’s doctor before trying anything at home. If you have puppies or small children and don’t feel comfortable using hard pesticides like the above mentioned, there are some old country remedies that are worth a try. Borax powder sprinkled everywhere the dogs can’t get to. Use table salt on the carpets and vacuum after 15 to 30 minutes, leave cleaner outside incase any fleas escape. In theory, both Borax and salt will dehydrate the fleas. Sevin dust generously applied to the yard (follow directions carefully.) If a car is affected, park it in the hot sun closed tightly for a full day—repeat weekly for three weeks. Brewer’s Yeast included in your pets diet will also help repel the fleas in the same way that garlic and onions repel mosquitoes. The yeast is also good for coat, skin and allergies. You can set “flea traps” using soapy water and a lamp. Before going to bed, set a small lamp in the middle of the floor, place several shallow baking pans half filled with the soap solution around the lamp and turn off all other lights. The fleas will gravitate toward this heat source, fall into the water and drown. Liquid cooking oil works as well as the soap and water mixture.

One final reminder, BE SURE YOUR DOGS ARE TREATED FOR WORMS AFTER A SERIOUS FLEA INFESTATION, or sooner if possible.

Why does my dog shed?

Shedding is normal for all dogs, but the extent and characteristics of shedding varies by breed and mixed breed attributes. Just like human hair, dog hair grows and dies. Depending upon the breed, or breed mix, hair shed will easily fall of the dog or for the most part be trapped in the pet's living coat.

Some new dog owners don't understand that shorthaired dogs shed, even a great deal. For example, Labradors shed year round. Shedding controls explained here can help. Outdoor dogs usually grow a heavier winter coat that will shed in the spring. Indoor dogs show noticeably less tendency to grow a winter coat.

Poodle hair shed all over the house? Nope. Most of their hair shed remains in their coat, and while that may be great for the appearance of your living space, regular grooming is required to remove hair shed before it becomes tangled and matted. Many Terriers and other breeds share similar hair shed traits with Poodles. You can check breed information pages shown in the left column of this page for more information on hair shedding on all AKC recognized breeds.

Double-coated dogs generally shed undercoats twice a year while their guard coat sheds once a year. As you might expect, there are exceptions often attributed to climate and genetic traits. This might explain the why some dogs seem to shed all year long and others just a couple months of the same year.

Hormones trigger shedding. These hormones in turn are triggered by changes in the amount and length of sunlight and climatic temperatures. Undue shedding may have its origin in health and diet, and excessive shedding should be discussed with a veterinarian.

It's too bad that more pet owners don't learn about shedding characteristics of dogs they are considering to adopt. We've known too many dogs that were shifted from an owner to another when their normal but voluminous hair shed was not acceptable to their original owners. Then again, too many pet owners don't learn about their undeniable responsibilities for having dogs groomed regularly and brushed at home between grooming appointments when their hair shed remains in their living haircoat. The result is often matted and uncomfortable dogs, and owners faced a lesson in grooming responsibilities from their professional groomer.

How do I control my dog's shedding?

Normal shedding cannot be stopped but it can be controlled. Regular bathing, combing and brushing appropriate for the breed and mixed breed is the answer. By brushing and combing the coat dead hair is removed before it becomes shed on clothing, furniture and other household surfaces where it can be a bother. Regular brushing and combing also prevents matted coats for those breeds that shed into their existing coat.

Not only does regular brushing and combing control shedding, but it also promotes healthier skin and coat when done right. Frequent grooming within the recommended interval will reduce shed problems.