Grooming Essentials: Must-Have Tools for At-Home Dog Care Between Appointments
It may seem like nothing short of magic, how your dog can go from looking scruffy and dirty to perfectly fluffed and fabulous in just one short visit to Shampoochi- but we can assure you there’s a lot more to it than the wave of a wand. In this quick doodle grooming guide, we’ll tell you exactly what happens behind the scenes to give you a better understanding of the grooming process, and to help you learn some home grooming tips for doodles to keep your pup looking fresh and fab between their spa days.
The Shampoochi Treatment
At our Port St. Lucie grooming salon, we only use the best grooming products available to get your dog squeaky clean. Getting rid of all dirt and oil with a high-quality shampoo and then sealing the hair follicles with conditioner leaves the coat soft, shiny and smelling great. After the bath, a high-powered blow dryer is used to not only dry your dog, but to straighten the coat and get as much volume as possible. Finally, the coat is brushed and combed to ensure there are no mats or tangles. All these steps are crucial to getting the smoothest, most even haircut possible.
Choosing the Right Schedule
Why At-Home Care is Critical
How to Brush Like a Pro
So, how do you properly brush your dog to prevent this from happening? Using a light mist of conditioning spray and then brushing thoroughly line by line is the best way to make sure you’re brushing all the way down to the skin. After you’ve gone over your dog’s whole body, it’s always a good idea to go back over with a comb, just to be sure no tangles were missed by the brush. This should be done every few days, as once tangles start to form in the coat, they get out of hand very quickly.
Shampoo and Conditioner
Bathing your dog between their professional grooming appointments isn’t usually necessary, but it’s a great way to keep your dog’s coat looking and feeling fresh. Clean hair is also easier to keep tangle free, as dirt and dander cause extra friction within the coat. It’s important to choose a dog-specific shampoo made with natural ingredients. Some are made with harsh chemicals that can irritate your dog’s skin.
Using a conditioner after shampooing your dog not only leaves their coat feeling silky and soft, it also smooths down the hair’s cuticles, which prevents future tangles and repels dirt. A small amount of conditioner can also be mixed into a spray bottle to use as a spritz while brushing to give the same benefits between baths.
Waterless Shampoo or Wipes
There’s no question- most dogs like to get dirty. If your pup leads an active lifestyle and enjoys spending time frolicking on one of the many Port St. Lucie beaches and walking trails, chances are they get a little grimy almost immediately after a bath. If you’ve ever thought, “How to keep my dog clean between baths?”, then you need to pick up some waterless shampoo or wipes. These products are simply sprayed or wiped on and require no rinsing. They’re a great way to spot clean small areas of your dog and keep your dog fresh without having to do a full bath every time they get a bit dirty.
Blow Dryer
A dog-specific blow dryer may seem like a big investment that doesn’t feel overly necessary, but they are an amazing tool that can make your home grooming sessions a breeze- no pun intended! The most obvious benefit of blow-drying your dogs is that they won’t stay wet and soggy for hours after their bath, but there are other major benefits.
For shedding dogs, having a high-powered dyer will make short work of getting rid of excess undercoat-most of it will blow right out leaving very little brushing to do. Brushing curly coats of poodles and doodles is much easier after being blown out as well. Air drying causes tight curls, which can lead to tangles and matting if not thoroughly brushed out. On the other hand, blow drying separates the curls and leaves the hair straighter and much easier to manage.
Nail Clippers
For some dogs, having their nails trimmed during their regular grooming appointments is enough, but the majority could greatly benefit from having them trimmed between spa days as well. Ideally, a dog’s nails shouldn’t be touching the floor, so if you hear tippy taps as your dog walks around your house chances are their nails are overgrown and should be trimmed more often to encourage the blood vessels to recede.
Keeping your dog well-groomed between appointments is much easier when you’re equipped with the best dog grooming tools for at-home care. Choosing the right brush, using high-quality grooming products and following a consistent routine can make all the difference. Whether your dog is a heavy shedder, or has a coat prone to matting, regular at-home grooming is essential to maintaining their health and appearance.
If you’re unsure which tools or products are best for your dog, the team at Shampoochi Day Spa is here to help. Our expert dog groomers in Port St. Lucie can recommend the right grooming supplies and create a personalized at-home dog grooming schedule tailored to your pet’s needs and your lifestyle.
