This is the first and very important stage of the grooming process.  Your dog will be thoroughly brushed through and combed out to remove any loose dirt, dead hair or mats and tangles that may be in the coat.  Unfortunately this is also the stage when it becomes evident that a coat is too matted to save and will need to be shaved off.

Each dog gets two separate washes. The hydro massage wash is deep cleansing, with jets of warm water and shampoo pumping through the coat right down to the roots.  The massaging action of the water jets not only feels wonderful for your dog but also promotes healthy skin and circulation. Then the second wash; Black shampoo for Black dogs, White shampoo for White dogs, Copper shampoo for Gold/Brown dogs and Tea tree shampoo for dogs with sensitive skin or allergies.  You are also welcome to bring medicated shampoo as prescribed by your vet if necessary.

Some dogs ‘scoot’ along the carpet despite being treated for internal parasites.  This is often due to discomfort caused by the dog having difficulty expressing their glands naturally.  All dog’s glands will be checked while in the bath and will be expressed if required.

The temperament and disposition of your dog will determine the method of drying that we use to dry him/her.  All dryers and blasters that we use are temperature controlled and will not cause any discomfort to your pet.  For some dogs it is the noise of the dryers that ‘freak’ them out rather that the warm air itself. Kindness and reassurance leave most dogs enjoying the whole ‘blow dry’ experience.

Your dog’s transformation will be achieved using electric clippers or scissors or most often a combination of both. He /she will be groomed to breed standard unless otherwise agreed.  Many owners with active family dogs opt for a shorter, more practical style while still retaining the ‘look’ of the breed.  There are also many adorable ‘teddybear’ styles that suit many pure bred or mixed breed dogs.

Most dogs need their nails trimmed from time to time to maintain a strong and healthy foot shape.  Long nails can be painful and can make it difficult and uncomfortable to walk and in advanced cases can cause the toes to turn out and lead to deformity.  Even dogs who exercise regularly on concrete or other hard surfaces need to have their dew claws trimmed regularly as they do not make contact with the ground while walking. If left untrimmed these dew claws will grow in a circle and embed themselves back into the soft fleshy pad leading to pain and possible infection.

Some breeds will need to have the hair plucked from the ear canal before it is swabbed with a specialist ear cleaner to remove excessive wax and debris.  Cleaning the ears in this way helps to ensure a clean and hygienic environment inhibiting ear infections which may lead to long term problems and possible hearing damage.  Sometimes a brewing ear problem may be spotted if the dog exhibits extra sensitivity or discomfort or has a strong odour coming from one of the ears.

The final step of the groom is spritz of special doggy cologne. Though there are many different scents on the market, my personal favourite is Baby Power; it makes the toughest of mutts irresistibly Smoochable.