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Give your pet salon style with these pointers from experts

By Rebecca Jones, Special to the Rocky

Published July 13, 2008 at 3 p.m.

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Chloe, an Afghan hound, was photographed at Sputnik lounge, 3 South Broadway, Denver.

Photo by Ellen Jaskol, Rocky Mountain News

Chloe, an Afghan hound, was photographed at Sputnik lounge, 3 South Broadway, Denver.

Groomed for success, a Chinese Crested awaits judging at the 131st Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 2007. Show dogs are groomed regularly and start young. Grooming is easier for home pets, too, when started young.

Photo by Getty Images

Groomed for success, a Chinese Crested awaits judging at the 131st Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 2007. Show dogs are groomed regularly and start young. Grooming is easier for home pets, too, when started young.

Michelle Caster and Dylan.

Michelle Caster and Dylan.

Once they're wet, cats will tolerate a bath, though generally they groom themselves pretty well.

Photo by Istockphoto.Com

Once they're wet, cats will tolerate a bath, though generally they groom themselves pretty well.

Sheila Fuller

Sheila Fuller

Tami Davis and her Great Dane Ella.

Tami Davis and her Great Dane Ella.

Active dogs, like this hurdle-jumping Hungarian Puli sheep dog, might not need frequent nail-clipping.

Photo by Frank Augstein / Associated Press

Active dogs, like this hurdle-jumping Hungarian Puli sheep dog, might not need frequent nail-clipping.

Jennie Smith

Jennie Smith

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Don't you wish you could do a better job at replicating that just-been-to-the-salon look? Don't you sometimes wonder just how the professional stylists do it? How they manage to get just the right amount of curl, the right trim, the right accessories to produce that perfectly coiffed look?

And how do they do it without getting bitten or scratched?

We're speaking, of course, of our pets' stylists. Chances are good, if you have certain breeds of dogs, you spend a lot more on their salon bills than on your own. And just about every dog owner - even those with short-coated, low-maintenance little bundles of fur - will visit a groomer to get the nails trimmed. And to get, uh, you know . . . that nasty little job that nobody wants to do at home.

We wondered just what grooming secrets we could extract from pros, and what practical tips for grooming dogs and cats they could share with us. We called some of the top groomers in the Denver area to get them to reveal the secrets of the pet salon.

The panelists:

Michelle Caster, Vanity Fur, Denver

Sheila Fuller, For Paws Bakery and Pet Spa, Parker

Tami Davis, Central Bark Academy of Pet Grooming, Littleton

Jennie Smith, Classy Pet Grooming School, Loveland

*************

* How often should I bathe my dog?

It depends on the breed, but most should be bathed about every six weeks. More often than that can strip the dog's fur of essential oils. Less often can create a stinky dog. And who wants to cuddle with a dog that hasn't had a shampoo in a while? - Groomers' consensus

* Is it OK to bathe the dog outside with the garden hose?

"A washtub in the basement works well, and you can get a sprayer to attach to the spigot. But I would never bathe a dog outside with just a garden hose. The water is so cold it makes the dog uncomfortable. They like a lukewarm bath, just like people. Even though dogs will dive in a cold pond, that doesn't mean they enjoy a cold bath. And always keep the water out of their ears, and don't spray them in the face. They'll think you're trying to drown them and freak out. You should always wipe down their face with a wet cloth, and do the rest of the body with a sprayer." - Tami Davis

* Do I have to use a special shampoo for my pet, or can I just use my own shampoo?

"You cannot use a human shampoo on a pet. There's a big difference between human hair and dog fur. And remember, with a dog, everything you put on their coat they're going to be licking. So pay attention to what those ingredients are. You can buy a $3 shampoo, but you get what you pay for. I say, go natural, go basic, go gentle." - Sheila Fuller

* Is it OK to dry my pet after a bath with my hair dryer?

"A human hair dryer runs pretty hot, so if you do, keep it on the coolest setting, and keep it far away, at least a couple of feet, from the animal." - Sheila Fuller

* Can I just let the sun dry the dog without using a dryer?

"It needs to be warm enough for you to stand outside in a wet shirt in the shade and be warm. If you're chilly at all, your dog will be cold. Remember, they have a higher body temperature than we do." - Jennie Smith

* Does my dog really need conditioners or finishing sprays?

"Finishing sprays, no. Conditioner, yes. We're in Colorado. We're all slathering on lotion. When you bathe a dog you take away oils from its skin. The least we can do is put some of it back." - Sheila Fuller

* How often should I bathe my cat?

"If you have a cat, he should be keeping himself bathed and groomed pretty well. If you have a healthy cat, you shouldn't have to bathe it. But as they get older, they may need a little help.

I would suggest a dry bath for a cat. Brushing is really more important than bathing. Brushing will evenly distribute the oils. Depending on the length of the coat, brush it once a week, or maybe a couple of times a week for a long-haired breed." - Sheila Fuller

* What's the best way to give a cat a bath?

"Cats are more scared of the noise of the water than the water itself. People don't realize that, and they start spraying them and they freak out. When we bathe cats, we put cotton balls in their ears, and try to work with them in a tub of water. We don't spray them, but cup the water over the cat while we bathe it. Once they're wet, they're usually fine. They realize, 'I'm wet. Nothing worse can happen to me now.' " - Tami Davis

* Can I attempt to bathe my cat myself, or should I take it to a professional?

"Cat Scratch Fever is not just a song by Ted Nugent. I just had one groomer go to a hospital and was on antibiotics for three days from a cat scratch. My suggestion is: Don't risk it yourself. Take it to a professional." - Jennie Smith

* How often should I brush my dog?

"Ideally, daily. You want to get the oils distributed throughout the coat. That protects the fur from dirt and breakage. You can, on some breeds, get by with brushing a couple of times a week. But it's a nice, relaxing thing to do if you set the dog down in front of you while you're watching TV." - Tami Davis

* How do I get my dog to sit still while I brush him?

"My dog has a very specific treat that she knows she only gets when she gets brushed or groomed. Or if your dog has a toy he really loves, that's the time he should get to play with it. After the brushing, that's when he gets that toy. So even if he doesn't like being brushed, there's a positive reinforcement because he knows something good is coming at the end." - Sheila Fuller

* When should I start getting my puppy groomed?

"Start young. Dogs should make their first trip to the groomer when they're done with their puppy shots. But it should be a fun thing for them. Don't push them too hard. If a puppy's first grooming experience isn't a positive experience, it'll be a nightmare on the grooming table for the rest of its life. Don't be so hung up on the breed standard or the haircut that you think your dog should have. If your schnauzer is stressing out, maybe he doesn't need a schnauzer cut." - Sheila Fuller

* What's the best way to deal with mats?

"The most humane way is just to shave those areas, let the fur grow back and start over again." - Michelle Caster

* How often should my dog's nails be trimmed?

"Every four weeks. The only exception is if you walk your dog every day and it runs around a lot outside, and the nails wear down. But if the dog doesn't run around a lot, the nails must get clipped regularly. If they don't get clipped, the dog will start walking improperly, which can cause health problems." - Tami Davis

* I'm scared to trim my dog's nails myself. Are there any tricks I should know?

"Be careful not to cut the quick, which is the vein inside the nail. On a white nail, you can see the quick. Just don't cut up into the pink part. With dark nails, it's important to take just a little off at a time, and don't get carried away. And if you do cut the quick, and you don't have a styptic, put a little cornstarch or flour on the nail to stop the bleeding." - Jennie Smith

* What's the most unusual grooming request you've had?

"Some people have asked me to shave words into the side of their dog's fur, to say 'Go Colts' or something like that. And I've had a number of people ask for mohawks on their dog. That's fun. That's the fun of grooming, when people will let you do different things on their dogs."

- Tami Davis

The well-stocked home dog-grooming kit:

* Slicker brush: An all-purpose brush with wiry teeth that's ideal for brushing most dogs' coats between visits to a professional groomer.

* Nail clippers or nail grinder

* FURminator tool and de-shedding shampoo and solution: The FURminator de-shedding tool removes loose hair and undercoat. The shampoo and solution help loosen the undercoat for easier removal. (Note: The FURminator is not recommended for use with all dog breeds, including many terriers, or naturally curly-haired breeds such as poodles and bichons.)

* Shedding comb: A comb that penetrates into the undercoat to loosen mats and to collect loose top hairs.

* Bristle brush: For finishing; a soft brush that stimulates the skin and helps distribute oils evenly.

* Flea comb: Small comb with fine teeth to trap fleas.

* Toothbrush and toothpaste: Dogs will appreciate the beef- or chicken-flavor toothpaste made just for them.

* Dog shampoo and conditioner: Make sure to get products made just for dogs, with appropriate pH-levels for canine skin.

Comments

  • July 14, 2008

    1:36 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    brittanyjoy writes:

    Regarding bathing your dog at home... I use a "Booster Bath" with my two shepherd mixes, and it is amazing! I saw one it Pet Age magazine, basically it is an elevated plastic dog bathtub with a leash restraint, drainage, and a shampoo caddy... it's about waist-high so NO MORE backache and it is so much easier than trying to bathe them inside. Also have the "Tropic Shower" that hooks up to my washing machine valves so I can give them a bath in warm water. Really great product that I recommend to all dog owners. The company website with a lot more detailed info is http://www.BoosterBath.com :)

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