Skunks are on the move!!

Skunks, they are on the move!! Scurrying around grabbing up every last morsel they can find to fatten up before winter. That face may look innocent and you may remember the lovable Peppy La’pew, but their smell strikes terror in the hearts of the young and old. If you have dog, you have learned to fear this normally harmless creature. Skunks are slow moving, nocturnal, and generally keep to themselves and only way to know you’ve had a visit from a skunk is that distinctive sent they leave behind.HOPFULLY the dog was smart enough to keep a safe distance. Unfortunately most dogs just can’t help themselves. If you happen to find yourself this unfortunate predicament, instincts will tell you to give a tomato juice bath. However a much more effective concoction is 1quart hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup baking soda, and 1 tsp dawn dash soap, mix, and let this set for at least 10 minutes (the longer the better). This does burn a bit, so be sure NOT to get in the eyes! Because of the Hydrogen peroxide it can bleach the fur a bit, but it is a small price to pay. Nothing on the market will get rid of the smell 100% but this works the best in my experience. Just remember time is key, you want to get the dog soaking as SOON as possible! The longer you wait the longer the smell has to set in. If you have a haircut type dog, the best thing is to shave the hair off….. You can always bring your stinky pup to the groomer for a de-skunking treatment. This will typically cost you $5-15 above the regular grooming prices.

Sometimes skunks will take up permanent residences on your property. Don’t fret, you can do something about this. Though, killing them is not always the best option. When skunks die they typically release their stench (especially if shot) which can linger for a long time. Live trapping is surprisingly the best option. Skunks only spray if and when they have a target. So the trick to trapping is to set the trap in a place you can sneak up, and throw a blanket/sheet/towel over it. This blinds the skunk so it won’t spray. Then place the trap in the back of a pickup truck (you won’t want to put it into an enclosed vehicle) and re-home them in a non-populated area. Getting them out of the trap is a little trickier, this is a dump and RUN!

If you have any questions please comment, message, email Chelseas_pet_grooming@yahoo.com or call (616)896-1989 Thanks!!!  

Fall blowout!!!

Fall is here! And so is another shedding season… Yes, all those beautiful double coated dogs are going through a molting. Dogs do this in preparation for winter, they slip out of their summer outfits, and don their winter snowsuits.

Some people including me (before I was a groomer of course) think all those tufts of fur hanging off their body’s need to stay to help keep them warm, and hesitate to brush. This is not true, nor good. All that loose fur is called “undercoat” and needs to be removed or else it has the opposite effect. That loose, dead, undercoat can get caught up in the “topcoat” and mat. When this happens those mats will get wet from rain and snow, those tend not to dry as quickly as the good fur, and when a pup is wet, it’s cold. Also, that wet fur can lead to other skin irritations. It’s just not good all the way around. So in short you need to brush all of that loose undercoat out. You could spend hours and days brushing garbage bags of fur out of your pooch, or, drop them off at your local groomer for a few hours, and like magic they will be tuft free!! Be sure to ask the groomer if they “hand dry” with a “high velocity” drier, if not, you shouldn’t even waste your money with them and find one who does. But if you’re up for the challenge, I would recommend a rubber brush and furminator for the shorter haired dogs, and slicker brush, comb, and furminator for the long haired dogs

Labradoodles and Goldendoodles

 

 

 

 These are very nice, friendly, high energy, healthy dogs. However don’t be leave everything the breeder tells you. Most of them will tell you, they are a low maintenance, hypoallergenic, non-shedding dog. This is mostly a lie. Although few of their pups do have some of those desirable traits, most do not. There are 3 types of hair coats, curly, wavy, and a course wiry type.

                                                                                                                                                                    

      

 

Curly: This type is the most hypoallergenic and non-shedding of the 3. Unfortunately when you have a dog with those wonderful qualities it means they are VERY high maintenance. They will need to be brushed on a very regular basis and need professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks (depending on the haircut you prefer).

 

 

Wavy: Very similar to curly but can be less hypoallergenic, more shedding and need just as much grooming. But that face just might be worth all that trouble J

Course/wiry: This is the cutest in my book. However they tend to be the least hypoallergenic and heavy shedders, not quit as much their full golden /lab halves, but a pretty unfortunate amount. On the upside, they do tend to be that “low-maintenance dog” the breeder told you about in the professional grooming department (as long as you like that cute scruffy look). Professional grooming will be helpful with the shedding, and to give your doodle a “managed scruffy” look. A good brush threw once every other week should be enough to keep the knots and tangles away. And when the shedding gets to be more then you can handle, give your groomer a call and they will take care of the rest.

Another tidbit of info is grooming prices. Most grooming prices in west Michigan range from $50-80 that mostly depends on the condition of the coat and the desired length. “My” prices are more around $50 (I’ve got to get people to come down my dirt road somehow). The best way to find out would be to contact groomers in your area and ask about pricing before going out and getting a doodle. The fun thing about them is, there’s no breed specific trim, so you can be as fun and inventive with your doodles trim as you dare. From short to long trims, moe-hawks, lion trims and pom-poms, if you can think it your groomer will do their best to make it happen.

I hope this was helpful. Feel free to comment , email or call with any questions (616)896-1989

Thanks for reading,

Chelsea