Friday, June 10, 2011
This week The Grooming Corner tells us what exactly a doodle is and how to care for one.
Dear Groomer, My neighbor just got a “doodle” puppy. I have never heard of that breed. It’s awfully cute! What is it? Signed, Digging that Doodle Dear Digging that Doodle, Doodles started out as a cross between Labrador retrievers or golden retrievers and standard poodles. They are call Labradoodles and goldendoodles. When I first heard that name from my vet, I laughed! It sounds like a crunchy cheese snack. Although I am partial to the goldendoodle, having been the human companion to an 8-year-old goldendoodle named Scooby, breeders are crossing just about every type of dog with poodles: The list goes on and on. The idea behind the intentional crossing was to create a less “allergic” service dog. By crossing the Lab or golden to the …
Friday, May 20, 2011
If you want to kitty happy and healthy and prevent hair balls, the answer is "yes."
Dear Groomer, My cat is throwing up hairballs and is matted on his back end. My neighbor said I should groom my kitty regularly. I thought cats did their own grooming. What should I do? Signed, Hairball in Holliston Dear Hairball, Not only do cat grooming techniques help keep your cat healthy and happy and keep him or her from developing hairballs, grooming also provides a way for you and your cat to bond. The cat's mom did this starting the day your pet was born, so this ritual may help your cat to feel bonded to you. A big benefit of regularly grooming your cat is that it gives you an opportunity to do a general check-up on your cat. You can check on the condition of his or her coat, skin, ears, etc. And you can feel for any unusual …
Friday, April 29, 2011
This week, The Grooming Corner has some tips to keep your pets looking and smelling good this summer.
Dear Groomer, We want to take our dog with us on vacation this year. What should we do to take care of his coat? Signed, Headed out of Holliston Dear Headed out of Holliston, Your pets are so lucky to go on vacation with you! My dogs, Scooby and Beef, love to travel. To them, visiting our friends in Vermont is the closest thing to heaven on earth. Here are some tips to keep your pets looking and smelling good through the summer season: During the summer, many people hose their dogs off. Use a shampoo especially designed for pets. The PH in human shampoos is different and can damage your pet’s skin. If you know your pet is prone to hot spots or infections, talk to your vet about preventive measures you can take. Scooby’s legs spend most …
Friday, April 22, 2011
You love your dog's coat. Does your groomer really need to cut it off?
Dear Groomer, My dog has a long, furry coat, which our family really likes. Every time our dog goes to the groomer, the groomer says he has to be shaved. Why does the groomer always shave him? Signed, Mop Top in Holliston Dear Mop Top, Your groomer probably shaves your pet because much of its coat is matted, which you may not see or feel. Large-scale dematting is time-consuming, which is difficult for your dog when its has to stand and stay while its hair is being pulled on. Dematting destroys the coat because the tools used are cutting into the coat and thinning it out. Plus, it’s just plain painful for your dog to be pulled on if the coat is very matted. A groomer is usually comfortable with doing some dematting, but there is definite …
Friday, April 8, 2011
This week, columnist Serena Keating tells us what to do when your dog is in need of some grooming.
Dear Groomer, We just got a new dog. And she’s a mess! She really needs a good haircut. How do I know what groomer to take my dog to? Signed, Matted in Holliston Dear Matted, Congratulations! You are already on the road to responsible pet ownership. Pet groomers are not yet licensed in Massachusetts, so it’s very important to ask questions and perhaps get a recommendation from another pet-owning friend. Here are some questions to ask when speaking with your pet’s potential stylist: There are so many things to learn about: different tools, types of coats, skin issues, and tricks of the trade, to name a few. It's good to have both practical schooling and hands-on training. Some groomers came up the ranks as a bather/dryer and learned their …
Renegade
8:35 am on Saturday, April 23, 2011
If you care about your pet, Serena Keating is the most caring and knowledgeable groomer I have ever had. Reneagde a/k/a/ Boo more ›