Gail Fisher, All Dogs Gym & Inn - The perfect place for pets and their people

• Molly's double coat of thick, soft fur comes out in tufts - floating and bouncing around the house like hairy tumbleweeds.
• Jake sheds year 'round. His short, Lab hair gets into everything - sticking out of furniture, popping up in someone's dinner, and generously coating his favorite nap spots.
• Mahjong the Shih Tzu has long hair that has matted and twisted into thick clumps pulling on her skin. She's tender and raw, and she's gotten nippy from her discomfort.
• Spot is a beautiful Spaniel who is prone to ear infections and skin problems.

So . . . what do these dogs have in common?

They could all benefit from regular grooming. And so would their loving owners!

Long-haired or short. Single or double-coated. All dogs need some form of grooming from time to time.

Grooming Your Dog

• Baths - use warm water and mild dog shampoo. Thoroughly rinse out all soap residues. Leaving suds on your dog's skin can cause irritation and matting.
   
• Be sure your dog is kept warm until he's completely dry.
   
• Brushing - brush and comb your dog's coat thoroughly, down to the skin before you get her wet. Washing a matted coat causes the tangles to shrink like rawhide - making it impossible to comb out. Washing a dog without brushing her out will likely result in her needing to be trimmed short - perhaps even shaved.
   
• Be careful with scissors - unless you know what you're cutting, don't scissor your dog's coat. Many well-intentioned owners have accidentally cut skin rather than hair.
   
• Same with nails - dogs' nails contain a blood vessel called a "quick." If you cut it, not only does it bleed, it hurts!
   
• Don't want to do it all yourself? Lots of people use a groomer for the hard stuff. But you still have some responsibilities. Here's what you can do between professional groomings:
  
  
  • Brush your dog regularly to keep the undercoat minimal, and remove tangles.
  • Train your dog to stand quietly while she's being brushed. All Dogs Gym manners classes are an excellent place to learn this.

• What's included in your dog's grooming?
  A standard at grooming All Dogs Gym includes
  
  • ears cleaned
  • hair between pads shaved
  • "sanitary" area shaved
  • nails trimmed or filed
  • anal glands expressed
  • bath
  • hi-velocity drying to remove excess coat
  • complete brushing to remove undercoat and mats
  • any trimming desired
     
• How much time does your dog spend in a cage?
  A well-run grooming shop schedules appointments so your dog spends very little time in a cage before or after his grooming.
   
• What equipment is used for his grooming?
  The newest equipment includes high-velocity dryers that blow out undercoat, leaving a healthy coat. This means less shedding in your home.
   
• Is the groomer good to your dog?
  Your dog should be happy to see his groomer, and should be in high spirits after being groomed. A good groomer treats dogs with kindness, caring and respect.
   
• How often should my dog be groomed?
  The more brushing you do at home, the more time you can go between visits to your dog's groomer. Talk with your groomer about the best schedule for your dog's health and comfort. Everyone at All Dogs Gym is dedicated to providing the very best for you and your dog in everything we do.