Grooming Q & As with Muddy Paws

Aug 17, 2022

Q: When should I get my puppy groomed?

 A: After puppies have had their first round of shots, they're ready to meet a groomer. The sooner the better! Grooming can be scary for puppies at first. The bath, dry and clippers are all new noises and feelings. We recommend bringing in your puppies sooner versus later. When they are younger, we are able to spend extra time desensitizing them to all these new experiences, so they can learn at their own pace. We book our appointments one on one, so your puppy has the calmest, and least stressful first experience.

Q: What if I want my puppies fur to stay long?

 A: For a puppy's first visit, we strongly recommend getting what's called a face, feet and sani trim. We don't need to take off any length on their body. This first trim let's them get a taste of what's to eventually come, without making them fearful or scared.

Based on your baby's first appointment, we can help you create a grooming plan for their future.

Here are some additional tips for Summer...

Maintaining your dogs’ grooming routine is important all summer long. It’s not just about looking good, it’s about having experts help keep a close eye on the condition of your dogs’ skin, ears and nails, solving small problems before they become big ones.

Have your dog’s ears checked and cleaned regularly, especially if swimming is on his play list. Pooches whose ears fold over are prone to ear infections, which wet ears often promote. After your dog takes a dip in the pool or the ocean, wipe the inside earflap gently with a cotton ball or soft towel. Then your groomer will keep an eye on your pet's ear health at your regular grooming appointments.

Taking your pet to a professional groomer ensures that the right tools are used to maintain your pet's coat. Particularly as the temperature rises, brushing should be done with a brush appropriate for the coat type, one that strips out loose hair so air can circulate against your dog's skin and help cool him. Regular, thorough brushing also prevents matting, which is not only painful but also trap heat and moisture and can cause skin infections. Whatever its length and thickness, a dog’s coat provides built-in climate control as well as a first line of defense against sunburn, stickers and twigs, among other things—so NEVER shave your own pet.

This time of year is also critical to be as safe as possible about catching tick and flea problems. Adding an extra bath or two to your pet's regimen is a good summer strategy to help check the skin and coat for insect issues and give proper treatments if any issues are found. It always helps to have extra eyes on your pet (like a vigilant groomer) just in case you don't catch insect issues at home.

And in the “of course” category, continue to brush your dog’s pearly whites and pay attention to his paws. If pavement is hot to your bare hand, it will also be very hot to your pet's paw pads. Also, check between his toes for ticks, foxtails, brambles or other debris, and have his nails trimmed professionally as needed.

Contact Muddy Paws for a grooming appointment, nail grinding and ear check to keep your pups in tip top shape this summer. Visit them on Facebook... at 810 Beaglin Park Dr., Salisbury, Md., or call 443-358-5700.

Muddy Paws LLC | Pet Groomer in Salisbury, MD