Grooming Blog

An important part of any dog’s grooming is to take care of their nails. Long nails, not only are unsightly, can also present potential health problems. A dog’s nail is very strong and tends to grow at a slight downward angle. Nails which are left unattended may grow long enough to cause the entire tendon and bone structure of the foot and posture to weaken. In some severe cases, the nail can even grow so long as to curl back into the foot pad, which is extremely painful and prone to infection.

The nails should be trimmed back as a far as possible without causing excessive bleeding. This can be done every four to six weeks depending the dog breed and their lifestyle. Dogs who are active and do a lot of running / walking on hard surfaces tend to naturally wear down their nails. Dogs that are less active will need more nail trimming either by their owners or professional dog groomers to maintain a healthy nail length.

If the nails are only “tipped”, the quick (vein) will continue to grow further out along with the nail, making it harder to maintain a healthy short nail. These types of nails will require more frequent clipping in order to push the quick back towards its root and thus allowing more of the nail to be taken off over a period.

Trimming of white nails is easy as one can see the pink of the quick. One can then place the clipper at the point where the pink stops, commit to the spot and quickly make the cut. Black nails are more challenging, because the quick is not visible from the outside. One will then need to clip just the tip of the nail off (called the hook). Now one can observe the nail, there will be a black dark circle in the middle of the nail bed, that is the blood vessel but not the part that bleeds. One can keep taking little bits off at a time until a small white dot appears at the centre – this is as far as you can go before you clip the quick and cause bleeding. Once a length is established, use that nail as a guide for trimming the rest of the nails.

On many dogs, the rear nails are shorter than the front as they are used for power and drive – they push off with their back legs thereby wearing them down further. If one, does clip the quick, one can use quick stop (available at most veterinary practices) or corn starch/ flour. Apply directly onto the quick and apply firm pressure for a minimum of 30 seconds. Nail clipping should ideally be done before bathing, during the pre-work stage.

Some dogs can be indifferent to having their nails clipped while others dislike it with a passion. If unfamiliar with the dog, always start with the rear foot, allowing you to watch the dog for a reaction. If no reaction, continue clipping nail by nail. If a mild adverse reaction is noted, continue with caution but remain calm with an authoritative nature. Always keep the posture of the leg as close to the dog as possible, most times if you pull the leg outwards the instinct of the dog is to pull it back. If the reaction is severe, signs of growling and biting, then make use of a muzzle but remain calm. Always make use of positive praise, a happy / warm tone of voice and rewards such as small meat or biscuit treats make the process a lot of easier.

For more advice, speak to your grooming parlour for advice and a lesson on nail clipping. Professional groomers will also offer the service of nail clipping only, if you are on the wary side to try it yourself or if your dog can be intimidated by the process.

Le Pet Care Fact #6 – Grooming Basics: Brushing

One of the pivotal aspects to owning a dog is to maintain their skin and coat. In order to achieve this, one must groom their pooch on a regular basis. The frequency of which depends on the length of the dog’s coat.

Brushing, for most dog breeds, forms an integral part of their grooming process and to maintain a healthy skin and coat. Tangled hair prevents the hair from breathing by restricting air flow between the follicles, this could lead to skin irritations or infections. Brushing therefore helps to remove tangled strands, any dirt or debris and removes dead hair.

So, when should one start brushing their pooch? Whether it’s a new puppy or a rescue pooch, the answer is the sooner the better. This also helps with the bonding process between your pooch and yourself. The sooner you start brushing the easier it will become for the pooch to adjust and get used to the brushing. Puppies can be brushed from 3 weeks of age; it helps to build their trust in you and their future groomers (if need be).

How often should dogs be brushed? Ideally long coated dogs should be brushed daily whereas short-coated dogs can be brushed every couple of days. Brushing can also be seasonally to help double-coated dogs shed their coat or to simply remove any knots from the coat if present. Dogs should especially be brushed before bathing, to remove any knots out first. If the coat is not brushed first, any knots will become tighter and harder to remove during the washing process.

So which brush to use for your pooch? This all depends on the pooches’ coat – whether its double, long or short coated, silky or wire haired. You must choose a brush to suit your dog’s size and breed. A puppy’s coat is softer, fluffier and shorter than most adult dogs so will need more of a sensitive brush. The biggest mistake dog owners make when brushing their dogs’ coat is, they only brush the top coat. This could allow the undercoat to matt, which is painful as the matts pull on the skin.

There are several types of brushes on the market:

• Slicker Brush – These have fine short bristles close together on a flat surface. The ends of the bristles are slightly curved to avoid the skin while still going through the hair. These kinds of brushes remove loose hair and dirt and help to take out any matts present. There are several different kinds and sizes in the market, some with hard bristles for more wire-haired or thick coated dogs and other with soft bristles for puppies, thin coated or shorter coated dogs.
• Rubber Brush – These are as the names suggests, made from rubber with rubber bristles. These are good for massaging the skin and removing dead hair. These brushes are good for the more smooth-coated dog breeds.
• Undercoat Rake – These types use minimal pressure to get to the thick undercoat of double-coated dog breeds. They help break up matts and tangles and help remove the loose hair from the undercoat. When choosing a rake, ensure the pins match the dogs’ coat length.
• Combs – Combs come in a variety of styles, widths and lengths depending on their use. Combs can be used in conjunction with a slicker brush to untangle the coat before bathing. It can also be used toward the end of grooming with scissors to finish off areas such as face, feet and feathers on the back of some dog breeds.
• Shedding tools – There are several different kinds on the market, but all are used to remove loose hair either from short coated dogs or double coated dogs. They normally have shorter, specially designed teeth that efficiently remove the hair from the coat.

So which brush works best for which coat type:

• Smooth coated dogs – Dogs such as Jack Russell, Bull Terriers etc a rubber brush will bring the dirt and loose hair to the surface.
• Short coated dogs – such as Maltese can be brushed with slicker brushes that go through the coat to remove any dirt or loose hair.
• Long -Coated dogs – such as bearded collies and Afghans need a slicker brush to get through the course top coat while not damaging the soft undercoat and then an undercoat rake to remove any knots that might be present there.
• Silky coated dogs – such as Yorkshire Terriers and Shih Tzu’s. They normally have long hair with no undercoat but their fur matts easily. Use a comb to remove any matts and then use a soft slicker brush to soften the coat and bring out its’ natural shine.
• Double Coated Dogs – such as Husky and Golden Retrievers, can be short or long-haired. They have a soft undercoat which sheds twice a year, and a weather resistant outer coat which sheds once a year. Both matts very easily, therefore, use a slicker or undercoat rake to remove any matts present and any loose hair. A deshedding tool such as a Furminator can be used to remove the loose undercoat hair.
• Curly coated dogs- such as French Poodles need a soft slicker brush as they have thick soft curls and are therefore harder to brush.

Some dogs may have different lengths or types of hair for their coat and may require the use of several different types of brushes to do the job fully. If you are still unsure about what bush to choose for your dog, pop in store for advice on our wide range of brushes or book an appointment with us and we will gladly take care of your dog’s brushing needs.

It’s that time of the year where the weather warms up and your pooch /s gives you that look that it might be time to take him/ her / them in for their summer time grooming. So, you make the appointment, drop them off and say you would like a summer cut but then when you come to collect them your pooch /s are very, very short, much shorter than you expected! Not to worry, we at Le Pawtique have put together a summary of the cuts you can choose from for the summer period to avoid any disappointments.

A traditional “summer-cut” is a cut that means that all the length comes off the body, legs and skirt, the head gets styled short in proportion with the body length. This length is determined by the blades that are used which can either be a 7F (leaves 3.2mm of hair left on the body) or a 10 (leaves 1.5mm of hair left on the body). So, this is ideal for those dogs that swim a lot, go on walks in the park / bush or aren’t that easy to groom and maintain or client preference.

Now, if that does not sound like the hair cut for your pooch/s, then we have a “Puppy Cut”. This means same length all over but not as short as a summer cut. Our longest comb, which is an attachment on the clipper blade leaves 2.54 cm of hair on the body and the longest blade leaves 1.9cm. It can then go down from there to just under a 1cm of length, of course all depending on client preference and what works for the individual dog/s coat. This cut leaves the pooch with a fluffier looking finish and more of a “Teddy Bear” look.

Then we get the individual dog breed styles – ie Miami and Lamb for French Poodles, Cowboy for Yorkshire Terriers and sometimes Maltese Poodles. Then there are the traditional Scottie / Schnauzer cuts where the back is cut on a 7F or 10, and the legs and skirt are left long. The possibilities almost seem endless in terms of what cut one can give their pooch/s.

The most important thing about choosing a cut is to do breed research depending on the type of breed dog you have, Google recommended cuts / styles. The second thing to consider is the condition of the dog’s coat as certain cuts wont work on certain hair types or breeds. For instance, a Bichon Frise, although looks like a Maltese, has curlier and fluffier hair that allows it to stand so poofy compared to the Maltese, which the coat will fall flat. Also, if the coat is very matted, and tight to the skin then a summer cut will be the only way to groom such a coat. Minor knots and matts can be worked on if allowed the time to do so, which often incurs an extra charge, so it’s always best to try maintaining your pooch/s coat at home between grooms to avoid any disappointment at the next grooming appointment.

On a reminder note, the shorter coated and double coated dogs should not be shaved in summer (see our previous article Le Pet Care Fact # 4) and rather de-shed to remove the loose and undercoat hair. If you are still uncertain of what hair cut to choose from for your pooch/s you can always discuss your options with the staff and grooming team on the day of your appointment and they will be able to recommend and give you advice based on your pooch/s breed and coat condition and show you a few options from their grooming catalogue.

Le Pet Care Fact #4 – Warm Weather and Double Coated Breeds

It’s that time of the year where spring is around the corner and the weather starts to warm up. A lot of pooches are having their summer cuts and going short again, but what about our double coated dogs – to shave or not to shave? That is the question!

Double coated breeds like Huskies, German Shepherds and Newfoundland’s were blessed with a second coat through evolution to help them better deal with the climate surrounding them. This extra layer of undercoat acts as thermal regulator to slow down the process of heat absorption in warm weather while also insulating the body in cold weather.

The downside to this extra layer of fur is the dreaded shedding that these dogs go through. Shedding is the natural process of making the coat more suitable for heat protection instead of warmth, but leaves our homes with hair everywhere! So is the solution to shave them to stop the shedding from happening and in that way keep them cool as well?

Unfortunately, the answer is no, one should not shave a double coated dog.  Dogs have sweat glands located on their nose and paw pads to help regulate heat as well as using panting to bring their body temperature down. When a double coated dog is shaved it exposes them to many dangers such as exposure for heat stroke, risk of getting sunburnt, the skin is now exposed to biting flies and mosquitoes that can cause skin irritations and disease.

The shave also affects the coat negatively as it may grow back in thicker, making thermal regulation harder, it can grow back unevenly which can result in matting of the undercoat if the undercoat grows back faster than the outer “guard” coat which creates a further need for another shave. The guard coat prevents matting from occurring. Shaving can also result in Alopecia, where the coat grows back uneven and bald spots occur, and can also result in the dog scratching excessively in result of the shave which can irritate the skin and create hot spots.

So we advise to not shave down the coat unless there is a medical reason which requires it. So what can one do for their double-coated furry friends? We recommend bringing your extra furry loved ones in on a regular basis (4-6 weeks) and especially after seasonal shifts ie winter to summer and vice versa for de-shedding. De-shedding involves the use of specialized brushes called Furminators, which are able to reach the undercoat and pull out the loose hairs from the coat. This results in all the hair which could have led to matting been removed and thins out the undercoat to allow better aeration so the coat can then better regulate the heat.

Le Pawtique offers de-shedding at an optional extra of R45 per 15 minutes spent brushing with a combination of a Furminator, undercoat rake and slicker brush. We do not recommend brushing out the undercoat for longer than 45minutes at a time as the skin can become sensitive and turn red which is then uncomfortable for the furry one.  So do your double-coated loved ones a favor and bring them in for a pamper session and extra de-shed.

Le Pet Care Fact # 3:

GROOMING IN WINTER - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MATTING

MATTING

What is a matt? A matt is a group of hair / fur that become densely tangled together in a pet’s coat. If the coat is not properly / frequently brushed, the hair can become embedded together due to a variety of circumstances – ie seasonal shedding, swimming / moisture, dirt, static electricity and is mostly prevalent in longer-coated dogs. Matts can form in the outer coat as well as in some dogs, the secondary thick undercoat can become matted.

*Featured image shows just how bad matts can become. The coat literally comes off like a sheep

CONSEQUENCES OF MATTING

Severe matting can be very painful to your dog as the tangled areas of hair tend to pull tight and in result pull on the dog’s skin – in absolute extreme cases the matt can cover almost the entire coat and as a result have an effect almost like a straight-jacket on the dog, preventing limb motion altogether. Matting can also cut off blood supply and prevent regular air circulation through the coat, which is necessary for a healthy coat.

EFFECTS OF WINTER ON MATTING

Winter, besides been nastily cold on all of us, unfortunately comes with very dry air around us which leads to lots and lots of static electricity. Just like us humans, dogs and cat’s coats are susceptible to this excess of static electricity in the air and on certain items such as jerseys, carpets, bedding etc. If your dog wears a jersey during the winter and has a longer coat, there is a high risk of matting developing if the coat is not being brushed out on a regular basis.

TREATING MATTS

In the grooming industry, there is a technique used to remove matts called “de-matting” which uses special tools to literally pull the matt out from the skin. Which as you can imagine, is very painful to the dog. We at Le Pawtique, do not believe in that standard and will only work with matts that are minimal and can be opened first and then brushed gently out. If we deem a matt, too tightly knotted to be opened then we will shave the matts out, sometimes having to shave the entire coat down but will do so only after consultation with the pet’s owner. We will not de-matt any matt that will cause harm to your pet and will not compromise our standards as a professional grooming parlour to do so.

PREVENT MATTING

So how can we prevent matting? The answer is very simple – lots of brushing on a regular basis. Longer coated and double-coated dogs will need regular brushing on a 4 - 6 weekly interval by a grooming specialist, such as Le Pawtique and at least three times a week at home. Brushing also aerates the coat and skin and helps keep it healthy and free from skin conditions caused by matting. On some shorter coated dogs, a seasonal de-shedding is also necessary to remove the dead loose hairs from their coat (and your home).

HOW CAN LE PAWTIQUE HELP?

At Le Pawtique, we offer such services to all our dogs being groomed. For the short-haired and double-coated breeds we offer extra de-shedding where we use a specialized tool called a Furminator^TM to take off all the loose excess hair. We also offer a value-added service of been added to our Very Important Pet (VIP) programme where we book regular grooming appointments for you on 2 – 6 weekly intervals. On this programme we offer 10% discount on the grooming charge (15% for three or more poochies) as well as the first fifteen minutes of de-shedding for free.

It is with great pleasure that we announce Mduduzi’s promotion to Head Groomer.

After only a short time of working with Le Pawtique, Mduduzi has proven himself in his grooming skills, and particularly in his gentle handling of our furry customers… whether they are frail; recovering from injuries; or just wriggly and overexcited, Mdu handles all the pooches and kitties in his hands with the utmost care; patience; and insight.

 Mduduzi has also shown great promise in his leadership skills, and always ensures that the client’s instructions and interpretations are relayed and executed to the highest standard.

   

It is with great pleasure that we announce Zanele’s promotion to Junior Groomer.

We thank her for her long standing loyalty and performance - she has been with Le Pawtique for 3 years!

From humble beginnings as a washer and dryer, she has enthusiastically worked her way up to junior groomer and is always willing to learn about and improve her trade.

Zanele has been a pillar of support and an absolute joy to have around. She is always laughing, and although she travels extremely far to and from work every day, this never affects her achievements and cheerful disposition.

Le Pawtique - Our Dog and Cat Spa Menu

Whether your pet needs a full luxurious groom, a bath or just a nail trim we offer a full range of treatments, the quality and care of your pet's is our first priority so that our furry guests visit and return again soon.

It’s a given that we take every measure to ensure your pets get the best possible care with passionate and professional staff, a tranquil and optimum environment and only the the best products & equipment.

We use top notch products such as Bio-Groom – Bio-Groom is the name of premium grooming products made with the finest ingredients available known for gentleness and performance. It's the number 1 choice for groomers in the USA. We also use Biogance, Tropiclean and the Furminator for de-shedding.

Le Pawtique offers nothing less than deluxe, therefore every dog, cat, bunny, hamster that enters our oasis of animal bliss is treated to the Deluxe Spa Wash Treatment – this includes

Premium shampoo/wash
Coat conditioning treatment
Pamper massage
Blow-dry
Tidy up (Trimming of face, feet, belly, bottom)
Ears cleaned with medicated ear cleanser and powder
Pawdicure (cutting of nails if this needs to be done)
Eau de toilette spritzer – male and female flavour of the month
As added extras and tailored to each individual pet we offer;

Style Cuts

• Tidy up (Trimming of face, feet, belly, bottom)
• Popular low maintenance cut
• Professional style clip tailored to suit individual pooch
• Specialized all over hand scissor

SOME OTHER TREATMENTS AND EXTRA'S WE OFFER.
For smelly and irritated skin, hot spots and dogs with aches and pains. Our expertly trained staff will dedicate the time taken to properly massage this amazingly natural, therapeutic and medicinal product into your dog’s coat and skin.

To find out more CLICK HERE

Natural Tear Stain Remover Facial Scrub
Natural Tear Stain Remover Facial Scrub infused with oatmeal and blueberry soothes and balances the skin. It is gentle yet concentrated with an exfoliation component that removes dirt and tear stains that will not irritate the eyes. In fact…. this product is so decadent you won’t be able to stop kissing your pooch!

Cost: R15


Feather Hair Extensions



Feather Hair Extensions – we are sure you are all familiar with the bright, solid, striped feather fashion statements that are attached to a small piece of hair… Le Pawtique now brings you the pooch equivalent… works much the same way as a traditional bow but it’s a feather finish that requires no elastic and should last for at least 6 weeks.


Prices start from: R50


De-shedding



We don't recommend shaving thick double coated breeds or cats for that matter unless it is necessary. i.e. health, matts (knots), on-going pest issues and this is the reason we offer a
de-shedding program, to get of all that thick unwanted undercoat.

This is also a very popular treatment for your short coated breeds that are prone to shedding eg: Jack Russell’s, Pugs, Labradors, Bull Terriers, Bull Dogs

In order to do this we use, first and foremost a Furminator, the best invention for de-shedding. We also use Les Pooch brushes, rakes, combs and your standard slicker brush plus Biogroom tangle remover and conditioner. The biggest component here is time. It takes time to brush out all that thick undercoat especially in the change of seasons.

Sometimes the hair brushed out is equal to the size of the animals we are grooming. A MUST for Huskies, Chows, Golden Retrievers, Malamutes, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Saint Bernard’s, Rough Collies etc..

R55 p/15 minutes

Madra Mor Mud soothes, calms and revitalizes the coat and targets hot spots, irritations and dermatitis conditions that cause sensitivity, pain and tenderness.

Why?  Our beloved pets are surrounded by pollutants (environment) and toxins (food, medication, bacteria, pesticides etc..) on a daily basis that affect their health. In addition stress, bored and irritable dogs manifest discomfort in their coat and skin. 

How?  Madra Mor Mud soothes, calms and revitalizes the coat and targets hot spots, irritations and dermatitis conditions that cause sensitivity, pain and tenderness.

Soothing mud contains mineral rich clay concentrations of colloidal oatmeal and nourishing, healing ingredients such as organic aloe vera powder, Allantion, borage oil, rice bran oil, Vitamin E and Zinc. These time tested skin care ingredients promote healthy cell regeneration, ease irritation related to itchy and scratchy skin, and hydrate dry skin.

Where Le Pawtique comes into this:
Le Pawtique offers a loving therapeutic message with the application of the mud. This assists in stimulating the lymph and circulation system, supplying nutrients and flushing the system of toxins.

Who would benefit from this? 
This is especially good for senior dogs with aches and pains
Dogs with smelly skin and coat
Itchy, inflamed and irritated skin

What is the cost?  

Small dogs:
Smooth coated: R120 – includes 15 minute massage / long coated: R150 – includes 15 minute message
Medium dogs:
Smooth coated: R160 - includes 20 minute massage / long coated: R180 – includes 20 minute message
Large dogs:
Smooth coated: R220 – includes 30 minute massage / long coated: R260 – R300 – includes 30 minute massage

It is further enhanced with the following therapeutic and medicinal ingredients.

Green Tea Extract: contains ant-oxidants
Witch Hazel, Dipotassium Glycrrhizate: Also known as licorice plant extract (anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory that calm and sooth) – promotes healing
German Chamomile Essential Oil – known for anti-inflammatory, cell building and antibacterial properties
Lavender Essential Oil (anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antibacterial, helps to regulate and balance skin functions and promote healing and soothing.)