You're on the way home from the groomer and Spunky is looking and smelling better than ever!
Now what?
Check these doggy parts to make sure your pampered little one has received the best quality of care:
- Inside the ears to make sure they have been cleaned and (depending on breed) plucked. If your dog had a full hair-cut, check that the two ears are trimmed evenly.
- The tips of nails, if your dog will let you, to make sure they have been clipped short. If you notice any bleeding, they may have been clipped slightly too short. It is not a health concern as long as the bleeding isn't excessive. Use cornstarch to stop the bleeding faster. Notice, too, if the groomer has missed a nail or two - including the "dew claw" which is usually higher up on the paw and often missed.
- The danger zones: armpits, belly-button area, genital area, and ear edges for nicks, cuts, abrasions, or small red bumps (a rash known as clipper burn). These areas are especially vulnerable to injury. Most times vet treatment is not necessary and often it is not a reflection of the groomer's skill. If you notice any unusual marks, contact your groomer immediately. Groomers may not tell you (or lie) about these minor incidents. The areas should be kept clean and monitored for infection.
- The pads, or bottoms, of your dog's paws to make sure there are no knots or tufts of hair sticking out. Highly-detailed groomers will usually shave this area, where the foot meets the floor, to keep the hair from becoming knotted. It also makes it easier to keep paws from picking up dirt outside and tracking it all over your home. Check this area, too, for hidden nicks and cuts.
- Any places your dog usually gets knotted/matted should be checked (possibly even " noted in #3, as well as behind the ears and around the collar.
Above all, remain calm and know that even great groomers make mistakes now and then.
Happy haircuts, everyone!
