How To React to Nicks and Cuts At the Dog Groomer

If your dog comes back from the groomer with a cut or nick, what should you do? Is it a sign of negligence or just bad luck?

Dog grooming involves a dangerous mix: sharp blades, tabletop nooses, wet surfaces, and pets who don't care what their hair looks like. It's important to consider several factors when reviewing a grooming injury. In this article, we'll consider cuts, nicks, and gashes.



You Might Comfortably Stay With the Groomer If: 
- the bleeding stopped quickly after the cut
- it's a minimal cut that does not require medical attention,
or it's a more significant cut, but the groomer agreed to pay your veterinarian's bill for care
- the groomer told you about the cut, or (if they didn't know) apologized when you reported it to them later

 Yes, there are some grooming accidents that are difficult to prevent. A dog may sneeze just as the groomer is trimming close along the ear, or maybe the phone rings at the exact moment the shears are closing to round-out that beautiful paw. Sometimes accidents happen at no (or minimal) fault of the groomer.

If your dog (like many) has a particular area they don't like groomed, this area may be more likely to be nicked or cut during grooming. Consider talking with your groomer about alternative styles that may require less brushing, less scissor detail, or otherwise avoid the sensation that is difficult for your dog. The appearance may be different than you prefer, but it might be worth the safety advantages.

Consider Leaving If: 
- your dog has cuts often (and you've reported them all to the groomer)
- it often happens in the same places
- your groomer suggests that they cannot groom your dog without causing cut. If they think your dog is too anxious/scared/wild/aggressive to be groomed safely, it may be best to find another groomer.

Frequent cuts may suggest your groomer's methods need safety improvements, or possibly that your dog has difficulty tolerating a part of its grooming. If your dog has had many grooming visits, it's likely they've given you feedback about how well Wiggles tolerates the process.

For All Injuries
Accidents are difficult for everyone - you, your pup, and the groomer. If you're having a hard time deciding how to react to a more minor grooming cut or nick, it may be a good idea to mention it at your next vet exam. For more severe cuts, only you can properly consider the injury, your past relationship with the groomer, and how they reacted to this situation. 

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!

10 Questions to Ask Before You Pick a New Dog Groomer

Searching for a new groomer can be scary! Sure, hair grows back, but you want to make sure your precious pup is safe and happy.

Ask prospective groomers these questions before your first appointment. It's always best to call a groomer toward the middle of the day, as early morning and afternoon are typically high-traffic times. It's even better to ask the groomer for a good time to drop by (and bring Spike with you) to ask your questions.

1. What kind of training have you had? Professional training at a school or certificate program (not just an internship or work-study) is always preferred. If they learned from another groomer, it might be best to ask to contact that groomer and go through this list with the teacher, too. It's important that their training included safety and handling procedures that most I-taught-myself groomers may not know.
   
   
2. How many years have you been grooming? This answer would ideally include at least 2 years of full-time experience. If they say something vague like "I've been grooming my own (or my friend/family) dogs at home for years...", make sure they have quality training to make up for their unspoken lack of experience.
   
   
3. Are dog ever put into a crate? If the answer is yes, asking to see the crate area is a reasonable request, especially if there are no other pets in the area at that time. Quickly, smell for lingering odors like urine, feces, mildew, or other signs that it it isn't thoroughly cleaned. Are the crates visibly in good shape (not rusted or broken)?
   
   
4. Do the cage dryers use heated air or recirculated air? Heating on cage dryers is a big no! The air from a cage dryer blows directly at your pets, designed to be used without groomer interaction. Recirculated air usually isn't harmful, but heated air can cause breathing distress or even death for certain breeds, like Yorkshire Terriers or Bulldogs.
   
   
5. What brand of dog shampoo do you use? The quality of the shampoo can change the coat condition of your pet. Cheap ingredients can cause allergic reactions or hair damage. For this, it's best to look online to check the brand specifics. Look for its price relative to the others (try PetEdge.Com or RyansPet.com) to make sure they're not charging you top price for bottom quality.
   
   
6. What's included in the grooming package? Ask to see how many services the package includes and prices for added-on services: shampoo, conditioner, ear-cleaning, ear-plucking, nail trim, pet perfume/cologne, flea bath/dip, de-skunking treatment, dematting/detangling
   
   
7. Do you offer toothbrushing? Does it really work? Here's another trick question. Toothbrushing at the groomer only works if the owner ALSO brushes the pet's teeth at home. Think about it - would brushing your teeth once a month make a big impact? Be wary of the motives of a dog groomer who still insists on selling you a toothbrushing service after you mention that you wouldn't brush your dog's teeth at home.
   
   
8. Do you require shot records? While not mandatory, groomers who ask for vaccination records protect your pet by limiting Fido's exposure to risks for infection.
   
   
9. What is clipper burn? Throw this question in casually, almost as if you don't know, to see how they react. Clipper burn [little red bumps of irritation caused by a hot blade or by improper clipper handling] is mostly preventable and should happen rarely if ever. Be wary of responses like "Oh, it happens all the time,it's no big deal".
   
   
10. Do you offer any discounts or incentives for homes with multiple dogs? For frequent clients? If I refer a friend who becomes a client? Sometimes groomers (especially those who manage their own shops) will offer discounts if you bring your pack of dogs to them regularly. Just one dog? Bring Lassy in for a haircut every six weeks (depending on breed) and schedule a bath with the groomer in-between trims. If you have a friend or two with dogs, see if the groomer with give you a one-time discount for each new client you give her. Everyone wins!
    

Remember - you have a right to ask questions before you trust your pet with a new groomer! A groomer who doesn't want to give you the time to answer a few questions might not be patient with your dog.


Happy haircuts, everyone!