Covid 19 

Due to the current Corona Virus pandemic, I have had to cease trading temporarily. I would hope to be able to open when the Government advise and I look forward to welcoming you all back when this strangest of times allows. In the meantime, please all stay safe.

Many thanks for your understanding.

Justine 

Yellow Ribbon Campaign

Ever seen a dog out with a yellow ribbon, bandanna or something similar on its lead, well there may well be a reason! This is a dog which needs some space. Please, do not approach this dog or its people with your dog. They are indicating that their dog cannot be close to other dogs. How close is too close? Only the dog or his people know, so maintain distance and give them time to move out of your way.

Why might a dog need space?

There are many reasons why a dog may need space: 

• Maybe it has health issues 
• It may be a rescue dog being rehabilitated. The world can be a very scary place for these dogs. 
• It may have had a bad experience with another dog or is just not like the kind of friendly dogs which always want to say “Hi!”
• A bitch may be in heat
• The dog may be in training
• It may be very old and arthritic
• It may be very nervous or shy and other dogs cause it stress

In short, a yellow marker on a dog means it needs some space.  So be sure to respect its wishes and give it some space.

Here is a link to a website giving further information http://www.yellowdoguk.co.uk/

Grooming Tips for Puppy Owners

Grooming is important for both the health of your pet and the bond you share. Grooming your puppy is a nice way to spend quality time together while also allowing you to monitor your dog's health by checking for cuts, bumps, tenderness, etc. Many people wait until the puppy is over 6 months for their first groom. However, the sooner you familiarize them with being groomed, the happier your puppy will be. Your puppy’s first grooming experience can be likened to that of a child’s first dentist appointment. If it scares them, it will build a future fear that can be difficult to overcome. However, if introduced at a young age and introduced correctly, it can be both a positive and rewarding experience.

Here are some tips to start doing with your pup to help get him or her used to being groomed:

• Establish a regular location and routine for grooming. A good location is a table with a rubber mat on top (a bath mat will do) this provides traction and stops your wiggly puppy slipping! Your dog needs to learn that this place is not playtime but ‘grooming time’ and standing still is rewarded this will take time and patience and short, frequent sessions with  lots of verbal praise and treats.
• Show your puppy his brush & comb. Let it sniff and play with it a few seconds. Brush his coat a few times, then reward your puppy with a small treat and verbal praise. Do the same with the comb. When brushing do so in the direction of the hair growth. Brushing in the opposite direction can be uncomfortable. Dogs with thick or long coats may need to be groomed every day to prevent painful mats and knots. Smooth-coated breeds may require grooming less frequently, but keep it a routine so it becomes familiar and expected.
  • Touch your new puppy's feet and rub your fingers between its toes a couple times a day. This will make nail clipping easier. I promise, your groomer and your vet and in the long run, your precious pet, will love you for this.  It is a natural instinct for dogs to pull their feet back when being touched. This is a great idea to start when very young. Many pets are perfect for grooming and only stress out during the nail trimming process. This can be avoided by your taking the time to help train them to enjoy it.
• The bathing products available for dogs today are almost as numerous as those for us humans, and they're much better suited to a dog's skin type than human shampoos. Choose a special dog shampoo that's best suited to your puppy's hair type and take extra care not to get any shampoo in his eyes when washing him. Make sure to use an non slip mat in the bath as its scary for a puppy to slide around on a slippery surface and this could increase anxiety around bath time.
• Use a hairdryer on a low heat and at a low velocity keeping it at a good distance away from your dog. They will need to get used to the noise and sensation of the drier if they are a breed that requires regular grooming, but their skin will be sensitive and you need to ensure you don’t give your pet heat burn or again make them anxious about this part of the process.
  • Play with your puppies ears, by touching them on the inside & outside. Afterwards,  reward  him with lots of praise and a small treat. This is important because so many breeds require the hair be plucked from their ears and this is the second favourite to nail trimming. (NOT!)
  • Open your puppy's mouth and touch its teeth and gums. Dental care should begin as early as possible. You can begin by using a finger brush or puppy toothbrush and toothpaste made for your pet.Please remember though this only removes the surface and a regular dental cleaning should be scheduled with your Vet.

If your puppy needs professional grooming because of breed requirements introduce your pet early to a friendly groomer. They will offer familiarisation packages to help reduce any anxieties your dog may have in this strange environment and help establish it as normal practice.

I offer a puppy package which includes bringing your pup along to my salon to allow it to hear the drier and clipper noises. I stand your pet in the bath and run the shower beside it but not wetting the dog. They have the opportunity to stand on the table and become familiar with me and being handled. I run a brush over your pup but do not attempt to ‘groom’ it. This session is free.

On their second visit they come for a bath and to be dried. I use a medicated shampoo suitable for puppy coats and only apply the shampoo once (normally they are shampooed twice). They are rinsed off and dried using the stand dryer and high velocity drier depending on their anxiety levels. We take as much time as is necessary. I welcome owners to stay for this appointment if you feel it will reassure your pet.

I would advise that your pup is brought into the salon as soon as they have had their final inoculations at 12 weeks and it becomes part of their routine.

Hopefully following these hints and tips and establishing a good relationship with your future groomer, you and your pup will have a less stressful grooming experience in the future.

I thought I would make people aware of the shampoos I use.

I am a fan of a British made shampoo range which uses natural extracts to ensure a top quality finish. I match the shampoo type to the skin and coat type and condition of the dog.

My regular shampoo is an Apple one. Apple extract is great at removing dirt and odour so has an excellent cleaning power whilst providing a fragrance which is natural and fresh. Apple extract also helps to promote healthy hair growth and repair damaged cells within the skin which might not be something everyone knows!

I also use a medicated shampoo designed for dogs with itchiness, psoriasis, dermatitis, dry or flaky skin, this one features Tea Tree and Lavender to soothe and heal the skin. The lavender extracts help to relax the muscle, clam the pet and calm the inflamed skin in addition to removing the bad odours often associated with irritated skin. Aside from leaving the coat soft and fresh it also helps to repel fleas and other biting insects.

For those dogs that perhaps carry some unwanted guests, I also use an insecticidal shampoo which has a concentrated solution known to kill fleas quickly and safely it is also an effective preventative measure and deterrent, protecting against re-infestation. The insecticidal shampoo also cleanses and conditions the coat, leaving it glossy and attractive and gives a natural resilience to tick and flea infestation.