Why I Visit the Dog Groomer

A blog post by Clutch, the well-groomed Yorkie

Recently, I visited the dog groomer. I love and also don’t love going to the groomer. What I don’t love is getting poked, prodded, and pulled. But I love getting all the attention.

I normally visit the groomer every three months. This time, my visit was delayed a few weeks, so I was a little shaggy. Miss Janet told me I would feel better getting groomed, and she was right.

Going to the groomer means riding in the car. I love the excitement and watching out the window. I also whine most of the way. I like to be in control of everything, and when I’m riding in the car, I feel out of control. So I whine. But I also love going for a ride.

Yes, this is what it’s like to live with a Yorkie. I beg for things, like going for a ride. I complain when I get them. But I still enjoy them.

The groomer gives me a bath, cuts my hair, trims my nails, cleans the gunk underneath my eyes, and makes sure my coat is clean and pristine. She does something to my anal glands that I don’t want to talk about. And I leave there feeling like a brand new pup.

Bathing and Brushing for a Healthy Pup

Why is grooming so important for a dog like me? It’s important for the health of my coat, skin, ears, nails, and overall well-being. I take regular trips to the groomer. Once in a while I get a bath and a brushing at home in between groomer visits.

Bathing helps keep my skin healthy. It keeps dirt from building up in my coat and removes allergens that could irritate my skin. It frees my pores from anything that could cause infection. It helps me not feel itchy. And it removes loose hair. Not only does bathing help me feel better, but it also reduces the dirt I carry around inside my home.

I don’t have to be bathed very often, unless I burrow in a mud hole. In fact, if I’m bathed too often, my skin could dry out. You can check with your vet for how often to bathe your dog and what special doggy shampoo to use.

Regular brushing helps to keep my hair from matting. I love the attention, even though I pretend I’m annoyed and try to eat the brush. Miss Janet checks my skin for any unusual bumps and to make sure I don’t have ticks or fleas. She also removes those burrs I tend to pick up in the meadow.

It’s not hard for Miss Janet to get burrs out of my hair. They usually slide right out. The key is to hold my hair steady closest to my skin, and then with the other thumb and forefinger, slide the burr away from my skin. By holding my hair steady, the sliding motion won’t pull on my skin, causing me pain.

When I pick up burrs close to my mouth, it’s more challenging. I don’t want fingers touching the hair so close to my mouth. I’ll put up a fight and make it really hard to get those burrs.

Miss Janet takes a dab of organic coconut oil; she gives me a little taste to keep me occupied, and she puts a small amount on the hair with the burrs to make it easy to slide them. Then she takes a little pup-safe comb, careful not to get near my eyes. While holding my head gently, she combs the burrs out of my hair. Having a comb near my mouth doesn’t bother me so much. She is careful to pick up the burrs before I try to eat them because I really shouldn’t be eating burrs.

Dogs Need Nail Trimming

Nail trimming is also something I need help with on a regular basis. I can’t trim my own nails, as I don’t have opposable thumbs. So I need human help with nail trimming.

Miss Janet doesn’t want to trim my nails because she’s afraid she’ll hurt me. She lets the groomer take care of it. She can bring me in for a trim in between grooming visits if my nails get too crazy.

But it’s possible to learn how to trim a dog’s nails at home — your vet can teach you. Miss Janet lived with a cat one time (I love cats!), and her vet taught her how to trim her cat’s nails.

If nails don’t get trimmed, they can cause foot pain and walking off balance. They can also cause a dog’s foot to get stuck in its hair when scratching, and that hurts. So it’s important to keep up with nail trimming.

A Cute and Clean Pup Face

The groomer checks my ears to make sure they look healthy. Staying well-groomed keeps dirt and oil from building up around my ears and causing problems.

The groomer also clears my face of the stains that run below my eyes. When my face is clean, there’s less chance of eye infections. Your dog might not have this issue, but it’s common with Yorkies like me.

Miss Janet helps with some of this when I get a bath at home, and I knock out some of the stain pieces myself. But the groomer is a big help in keeping my face clear.

Selecting a Dog Groomer and Home Grooming

If you don’t have a groomer, your vet can recommend a trustworthy one. Or ask your dog parent friends which groomers they’ve gone to. What do they recommend (or not) about each one?

If you have a Yorkie or other small dog, they might benefit from a groomer who specializes in small dogs. I used to go to a groomer that took any size dog, and it was stressful for me to be stuck in there with big, loud dogs. I like my groomer now, as she only takes small dogs. I feel safer and more relaxed.

Before taking your dog to a new groomer, check out the reviews, ask your friends and neighbors, and take a look at the grooming shop. Does it seem clean and not overly crowded? Does the staff seem friendly and caring?

When you decide on a groomer, talk to them about your dog’s needs and any concerns you might have. Ask questions. Then see how your dog responds. Does your dog come home sick or injured or show signs of improper care? Then you might want to try another groomer.

Your vet can show you the safest ways to do home grooming in between professional grooming visits. Even if Miss Janet doesn’t accomplish much in trying to brush or pick through my coat for burrs, and even though I wrestle with her and act annoyed, I enjoy the attention. Home grooming is a great way for us to bond. It helps my coat stay healthy. And it makes things go more smoothly at the groomer.

And honestly, a visit to the groomer makes me look incredibly handsome and feel good about myself. I feel light and healthy. And I love all the compliments.

Wishing you a healthy coat and skin!

Clutch