Paw Facts

Have you ever thought of that?

        Have you ever wondered why Fido is so relaxed at home when you give him a bath and he starts drooling or defecating by the time he reaches a grooming salon.

        I think I know the answer and maybe I can help you to have a happier pet that any groomer would love to see coming into their shop, but you have to help.

        Let me borrow something from David Letterman--here is my TOP TEN REASONS DOGS HATE TO GO TO THE GROOMER LIST:

       #10. Owners don’t brush their dogs at all.

        #9.   Owners don’t brush their dogs often enough.

        #8. Owners don’t brush their dogs long enough.

        #7. Owners don’t brush their dogs with the right equipment.

        #6. Owners don’t brush their dogs properly.

        #5. Owners don’t brush their dogs.

        #4. Did I mention Owners don’t brush their dogs at all?

        #3. Did I mention Owners don’t brush their dogs often enough.

        #2. Or did I mention Owners don’t brush their dogs properly.

and the #1 answer as to why your dog hates to go to the groomer IS:

        Owners don’t brush their dogs.

         Let me put it to you another way. If your dog is matted so bad that you can’t feel or see your dogs skin and you tell the groomer, “Can you leave the length, Please?”—What you may not understand is what the dog has to go through to have all the tangles taken out is like you going to the dentist and having a root canal without any Novocain. You may be or have heard about people that are terrified of dentists? (Sadly I am one of those) Well, it is because it is PAINFUL to see a dentist! Just as it is PAINFUL to have the knots pulled out of your pets hair. That is why they jump, snarl, lunge, bite, claw, do somersaults, back up as far as they can to get away from the groomer.

     That is why dogs hate to be groomed. They hate to be pulled on. They hate to lay down on all those mats. It would be like sleeping on a lumpy mattress. Very uncomfortable.

      I know you might think that I am blaming owners for their dogs behaving badly at the groomers and that is not the case. I am just blaming owners for not properly taking on the responsibility of keeping their pets happy, healthy and relaxed. You wouldn’t let your hair or your kids’ hair go for days, weeks, months on end without a brush or shampoo touching it, why is your pet any different? He can only let you know that he needs a bath by the way he smells. But you can’t get a dog clean that is full of mats.

      Owners can “cure” a lot of skin problems just by keeping your pets clean and having a healthy coat. If you are not sure of the “How to brush” method, then ask your groomer “Can you show me how to brush Fido on a regular basis” and they would be thrilled (did I say thrilled) to show you the proper equipment and the proper way to brush Fido.

        Fido will feel better and be happier, you will happier because his skin won’t have all the problems anymore, and the groomer will be estactic because it will make their job a lot easier. Oh and you will have saved money because it won’t take the groomer as long to groom Fido. What a deal—everyone is happier!

        Oh, one more thing—please don’t expect the children to brush Fido on a regular basis. They have enough problems keeping their rooms clean. They are not going to come running to you saying “Mom is it time to brush Fido?”

         That my friend ain’t gonna happen.

        Now go do the right thing and have a blessed day!