11 Ways to Get a Discount From Your Dog Groomer

In this recession, ask your groomer for a discount in these situations and you just might get it!  ALWAYS negotiate BEFORE services are completed.

You Could Save Some - get this type of discount:

1. Slow day special: Offer to come in on the least busy day of the week
2. On-call: If you work from home (or have time off), offer to be on-call. Drop off your dog when convenient for them
3. Too busy convenience fee: If the groomer says they’ll need more time today when dropping off your dog, offer to reschedule or ask for a better dog shampoo free.
4. Prepaid: Pay for 2 dog grooming services today. Get a signed receipt that explains you’ve prepaid!
5. Combine dog services: If your dog gets two or more grooming services in one visit
6. Grooming Treat Package: If you pay for grooming and a pet toy/supplies/treats in the same visit
7. Frequent Grooming Rewards: If you pay for services (bath and/or grooming) every 4 weeks or less

You Could Save Lots - get this type of discount:

8. Essentials Only: Ask your groomer to help you reduce prices by getting only what your dog really needs every-other time. Treat your favorite family member half the time, save money the other half.
9. No Toothbrushing: None ever at the groomer! One treatment once every 6 weeks is not effective
10. Buy in bulk: Multi-dog discounts for bigger families
11. Refer a Friend: They may be willing to give your dog a free groom if you can get 1 or 2 new dogs to come in for an appointment. Ask your friends. Carry groomer’s business card with you wherever you parade your dog’s new hairdo. Say "tell the groomer that I sent you!"

DON’T try to get a discount by asking letting your dog go home wet: your dog might smell gross if not properly dried
DON'T insult the groomer by trying to negotiate a lower price based on the quality of the grooming unless there were major issues with the service - and that means you should just look for a new groomer.

Also try these tips with your pet trainer, pet hotel, vet, dog day care, or other professional dog and cat service providers. 

4 Ways to Reduce Muddy Dog Paws

April Shower brings May’s dirty carpets!

Is your dog’s middle name "Mud"?

Remember P.A.W.S. to stop your puppy’s muddy paws from dirtying your carpets and home

PAW HAIR
Ask your groomer to pay special attention to this issue. Shave hair between your dog’s foot pads as short as possible. Long hair flows out between the toes and grabs dirt, then swishes it around your floor like a dirty mop. A good groomer should be shaving this hair already, but better request it for best results. Don’t forget to check for nicks later. Also consider an overall shorter haircut for the muddy season, or at least trim leg/paw hair shorter. Trim nails as short as possible; ask for nail-grinding to smooth our rough surfaces that might hold dirt.

ALTER ENVIRONMENT 

Look for an alternate walking route, or changes to your yard, that would reduce puppy’s contact with mud. Cross the street before sidewalk puddles, try a slightly different route (turn left instead of right?), or check your local bike paths to see if dogs are allowed. If your yard is muddy, a little research may greatly improve your yard. Solutions I found included healthier grass and covering high-traffic areas with pea gravel to help drainage.

WASH FAST
I know it’s a pain, but wash Fido’s feet before he gets into prettier areas of the house.
1) Put a large, absorbent towel or mat just inside the doorway before you leave for the walk. Leave a second towel and a tall cup of water within reach from the doorway.
2) Stop your dog on the towel when you come back. If needed, lock the door and tie your smaller dog’s leash to the handle. Dunk and swish pup’s first paw into the cup, then use the towel to dry it.
3) Repeat.

SCRUB EARLY
Clean any offensive dirty spots as soon as you notice them, but let caked-on mud dry first. Use a stiff-bristled brush to comb away the chunks. Commercial and homemade cleaning combinations are easy to find and vary by carpet type, but simple warm water may work for many.

What about products?
Some dogs tolerate boots or a product like the Paw Plunger (a special cup designed to wash and scrub dog’s feet).  Puppy wipes (look for the kind without alcohol) can also help if you need a quick surface cleaning. Dog boots or shoes may eliminate the need for cleaning at all - if your dog will keep them on.  You may be out of luck with products if your dog doesn't like his feet touched. 

Good luck with those carpets!

9 Ways You Accidentally Train A Misbehaving Dog

1. "Max, STOP! Be a good boy!"
All your dog understands is "Max", maybe "stop", and "good boy!" He doesn't understand the rest! Choose your words carefully and only use positive phrases like "good boy" when your puppy is actually behaving. Stick to simple "No" or "Stop" for misbehavior.

2. No jumping rule that only applies to certain people
It's ok to jump on your husband, but he's not allowed to jump on your mother? Dogs don't understand that only some people can handle their weight. Set a no-jumping rule and stick to it. Nobody in your family should ever encourage your dog to jump up. Stay away from teaching tricks that include jumping on people, even to "give kisses", "give a hug", or "high-five".

3. It's only ok if he bites when he's playing
Same as with the jumping rule, dogs don't always understand when biting is and isn't allowed. Ban biting completely from his list of acceptable behavior. Be especially careful of games where people tap on the sides of puppy's face and try to evade his bite. These games, commonly played with puppies, are a lot less cute when his adult jaw is stronger or when the vet tries to look inside his mouth and gets bit.

4. Using treats to lure a runaway dog back inside
If your dog gets loose once, maybe it won't be a disaster to use a little ham to lure him back, right? Well, now your dog knows that running away means she gets a tasty bit of ham. Next time she wants some ham, she might just dart past the UPS driver.

5. Yelling at a barking dog
She's barking to let you know the neighborhood kids are riding bikes again. You yell at her to be quiet. She hears you barking at the kids with her. It's better to make noise using a whistle, silent whistle, shaking a can of pennies, or clapping your hands. Now she knows you're not yelling with her because you think those kids are annoying, too... or do you?

6. Put her nose in her poop
Poop isn't just gross, it's got lots of bacteria in it that can make your little lady sick. Putting her nose in it is a great way to teach your dog not to let you find out where she poops. This could make her afraid to poop outside while you're watching and you might find evidence left in closets or behind chairs instead.

7. Give him the old shoes so he'll leave the new ones for you
He will love the taste of your gross old shoes and who could blame him? Unfortunately, he doesn't know the difference between cheap and expensive or old and new, so he may help himself to the shoes you bought for your brother's wedding because he likes the new leather smell, too.

8. You REALLY spoil her. She's your baby.
Giving your dog everything and everything she wants can make her really insecure and scared on the day when she finally hears "NO!" If nobody teaches her the limits of good and bad behavior, she won't know what to expect when you reprimand her for the first time. Like children, dogs also want to know the rules and they want to know what the consequences will be.

9. Your small dog gets carried everywhere
Being independent from you, on a leash, can give your dog confidence. He needs to know that he can walk by himself in the world without being harmed so that he doesn't get scared when you put him down. That kind of fear often leads to biting. Walking also burns off nervous/pent-up energy that can make little dogs pretty neurotic. Nutty attack chihuahuas? Put 'em on a leash and walk 'em!

Reduce Your Dog's Anxiety At The New Groomer

Maybe your last groomer was your dog's soul mate until she retired. Now you and your dog are both nervous, and you've got an appointment at a new groomer.

These easy tips can help you both glide easily through to your shiny new grooming experience.

As natural pack animals, dogs will look to their owners as pack leaders for cues about new situations. Know that they watch every move and can detect your unconscious hints of fear, anxiety, and aggression. Walk tall, smile, and be friendly. "Follow me, Fluffy!"

Don't feel bad for your dog! Realize that grooming is not punishment, but can be more like an indulgent trip to the spa. You feel cleaner and happier after a refreshing shower, and we all walk just a little bit prouder after a fantastic haircut. "My dog is going to love this."

Avoid negative phrases like, "I'm so sorry you have to go to the groomer, honey, but you'll feel better and you'll get lots of treats when you're done." You can even substitute your mother's phrase, "Think of all the crusty homeless dogs in Africa who would love to go to this groomer."

Focus on how nice your dog will look when they're done to help you send out positive signals about the situation. Think calm, happy thoughts when walking into the grooming shop to announce to your pet that you've arrived at a welcoming place. "You are going to look great."

Introduce yourself to the groomer with a smile and a handshake. Initiating this kind of touch in front of your dog can help build trust. "See, puppy? The groomer touched me and nothing bad happened."

Most groomers pet down a new dog before admission to check the condition of the coat. Let the groomer know if your dog doesn't like his head scratched or if she prefers to sniff first. "Fifi, meet Sarah. Sarah, Fifi prefers to sniff and lick your hand first"

Lastly, when it's time for you to leave, firmly hand the leash over and walk away calmly. Don't try to sneak out or linger because it can give the impression that you expect something bad to happen. Know that dogs get groomed with great results every single day. Remember that most groomers are also dog owners and dog lovers who will treat your dog like their own.

Say this last phrase out loud as you hand off the leash and know that it's true for you both:
"I know you'll be fine".