LoveToKnow Dogs:Custom Grooming Advice

How often you should bathe your Beagle depends on a couple of factors. This breed has a fairly short coat, so it tends to need less maintenance than a longer coated breed. However, Beagles do love to have a good roll in the yard, especially if they smell something interesting. This can quickly lead to a smelly dog!

On the average, most Beagles can get by with a bath about every four to six weeks. Bathing more often than this can strip away the natural coat oils and rob the fur and skin of its vitality. This would lead to a dull looking coat and probably a bit more shedding.

In many instances, brushing can be almost effective as bathing for removing dried dirt and debris. I'd recommend brushing at least once a weel - more if you want to reduce shedding. You can also use pet wipes to wipe your dog down between baths. This will keep your pet relatively fresh, and there is usually a coat conditioner in the wipes that leaves a nice shine.

Thanks for your question. :) - posted by:Kelly

Some groomers make it a practice to schedule all the dogs to be dropped off and picked up at one time so they can deal with the customers all at once and then mainly concentrate on getting all the dogs groomed. This can lead to a very noisy environment that puts some dogs quite on edge. Add to that the experience of being bathed and clipped by a stranger, and it can make a dog feel quite stressed.

Although some dogs do quite well under a communal grooming situation, others do not. You may find it beneficial to look for a private groomer who grooms out of her own home. This could be a much calmer experience than what your dog experienced at the shop.

Additionally, you should look into hiring a mobile groomer. This groomer actually comes to your home with a fully equipped grooming van and bathes and clips your dog right there. This may also prove less stressful for your pet, and you can be nearby to reassure her if she becomes exceptionally anxious.

I hope one of these suggestions proves to be the right fit for your dog. Thanks for your question, and I hope it all works out. :) - posted by:Kelly

By "hair balls", do you mean your dog throws up wads of wet fur and food like a cat does? If so, offering her some wheat germ oil might help loosen the wads and make them easier to cough up.

On the other hand, if you're talking about large wads of matted fur in her coat, regular grooming can help keep the mats from forming. A mat is most easly teased out from the outer edges using a greyhound comb. However, if the dog has a lot of mats, if may be kinder to have a groomer clip them away and start fresh. After that, daily brushing will remove loose fur and stimulate fur growth. In fact, daily brushing can also help prevent the formation of internal hair balls because there is less loose hair for your dog to ingest.

Whichever kind of hair balls you mean, I hope these suggestions provide an answer to your problem. Thanks for your question. :) - posted by:Kelly

You can support healthy hair growth by providing good nutrition for your pet, but it's probably not possible to grow the hair back as quickly as you'd like. Depending on the type of dog you have, you may need to wait until your dog finishes shedding out her old coat to get back to her original length. If you have a dog like a Shih Tzu whose hair continually grows, you will likely see a more noticeable change over the weeks ahead.

Our article Herbs Vitamins for Hair Growth in Dogs lists a number of natural supplements that support hair growth. I happen to believe that Omega-3 fatty acids are the most helpful and are easily given via fresh fish oil capsules, perhaps one or two each week. That said, it's never good to oversupplement a dog with a single nutrient because then you throw off the nutritional balance, making it more difficult for your dog's system to work efficiently. It would probably be a good idea to discuss the issue with your veterinarian and get his/her approval for any supplementation you decide on.

Good grooming practices also encourage hair growth and condition. Brushing your dog a couple times each week provides stimulation and blood flow through the scalp. It also helps prevent matting that could lead to the necessity of shaving. Using a conditioner also helps prevent static, which can also lead to matting.

Thanks for your question, and I hope it won't be long before your dog is in full coat again. :) - posted by:Kelly

Those darker spots sound like your dog got a case of clipper burn while he was being trimmed. This happens because the friction of the blade heats the blade and the housing. Most groomers use a product called Cool Lube, or something similar, to lubricate and cool the unit back down. Unfortunately, clipper burns sometimes still occur.

Your dog's fur will eventually grow back, but it will take time for your dog to shed out his old coat and grow the new one back in. However, don't be surprised if the color and/or the texture are a little different than before. This is common when dogs have been clipped.

Thanks for your question. :) - posted by:Kelly

Since I'm not sure how much grooming experience you have, I'll start at the beginning.

First, I'd like you read our article about Dog Grooming Schools. You'll need to be trained first in how to properly brush, bathe and clip a dog, and this includes trimming nails and cleaning out the ears. Once you have developed these skills, you'll need to gather all the supplies you would normally find at a grooming shop. Our article Dog Grooming Supplies will help you compile your list.

Since you'd like to actually go to people's homes and groom their dogs there, I think you might find our article on Mobile Dog Grooming very helpful. Some of your clients may not have a suitable place for you to bathe their dogs, so you always want to be prepared with your own grooming tub.

Hopefully that's enough information to help you get started. Good luck with your business, and please come back and visit us again. :) - posted by:Kelly

You're actually going to have to wait until your dog grows his winter coat. Right now, it sounds like you're looking at a combination of the hair cut and the lack of undercoat during the warm season. It's going to take longer than a month to see much change, but your dog will eventually regain that lovely full coat you miss so much right now. With the Pom heritage, you can expect to see this type of coat transition every year, but it will come back.

Thanks for your question. :) - posted by:Kelly

I'm not aware that shaving any dog causes permanent damage to the coat. They certainly look different for a long time to come, but the fur does grow back. Sometimes the texture is a little different, so perhaps that is what Border Collie enthusiasts are guarding against.

That said, there are valid reasons for shaving a dog. If the dog has become terribly matted, it may be kinder to clip rather than put the animal through the pain of dematting.

There are also valid reasons to refrain from clipping a dog. Double coats are designed to protect a dog's skin from the elements, and this includes heat and sunlight. Some owners believe they are relieving a dog from the heat when they are actually removing the dog's insulation from it.

These are all things to consider when trying to decide whether to have your dog clipped. It all comes down to what is right for your situation.

Thanks for your question. :) - posted by:Kelly

If the licking is only going on for a day or two after you clip the hair, the skin may just be a little irritated from the grooming and this is fairly common. I always recommend keeping the hair on the muzzle short enough that it doesn't interfere with eating. However, if this is a daily recurring problem, I don't think the hair is really the cause.

There's a chance that something under the skin, on the inside of the lip or possibly even on the gums underneath is causing irritation that leads to the licking. Under very good light, I want you to carefully go over each of these areas to see if you notice any irritated skin, odd patches or growths. I also want you to look up your dog's nostrils, just in case something has been inhaled.

If you can't find the source of the irritation yourself, I recommend that you ask your vet to examine your pet. There's an outside chance that this behavior is caused by some sort of allergy.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you're able to figure out what's going on. Best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

There are several ways to go about giving your dog an oatmeal bath. First, you can simply shampoo your dog with an oatmeal shampoo. Most pet supply stores carry this kind of product, and I believe Aveeno also makes an oatmeal shampoo that would be perfectly fine to use on your Yorkie. You can use this product as your would during any ordinary bath.

As a second method, you could put about two cups of uncooked oatmeal in a nylon stocking, and let the warm water run over it as you fill a tub. Let the stocking float in the water, and soak your dog in the water for a good ten to fifteen minutes. If your dog has any particularly raw/itchy spots, you can gently press the oatmeal filled stocking against this are to provide more direct relief. Let the water out of the tub and rinse your dog off. Use a towel to soak up excess moisture, but avoid rubbing your dog or this may set off another round of itching. You can blow dry your dog on a warm setting, and just run your fingers through the hair for the most part. When you do finally brush out your dog's hair, be gentle so the bristles don't irritate the skin.

Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

The tummy area is quite sensitive, so mats located here are especially painful when brushed. Unfortunately, your dog's lack of cooperation makes it difficult for even a seasoned groomer to shave them off without a little razor burn involved, especially if your dog is matted to the skin.

Yes, the Oster A5 is the clipper of choice. Make sure you purchase a can of Cool Lube spray as well. You need to spray your clipper blade periodically as you are shaving your dog, and this will reduce the chances of a burn. The blade becomes quite warm due to friction, and the Cool Lube instantly reduces friction and cools the blade. The product is not harmful to your dog's skin should any happen to get on it.

I think this advice should help you get the job done, but you may need a second person to help hold your dog while you work. Good luck! - posted by:Kelly